My dog has an infected cyst. Will his bald spot heal and fur regrow?

What you are describing sounds like scar tissue, but I would have to see it to be sure. Scars will not grow hair, but tend to get smaller and less visible with time. Puppies will heal better than adult dogs, so the scar should be much less obvious within a couple of months. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to encourage hair growth in this area if it is a scar. It's also possible that the lump is due to a deep infection. If the lump grows, appears red, or starts to ooze fluid, then it's best to take her to the vet for an exam. I hope that helps and all is well with your pup.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Oreo. Potentially it could heal, but keep in mind that the cyst will likely grow back because the cyst sac has not been removed. So this could be a continuing problem when it heals, fills up again, and then opens. While the best thing to do is have it removed, you can hold off to see if it fills up again. Clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. I hope this helps!

It's quite possible that the little bump on Booboo's back is a cyst. While most cysts are benign (especially ones in young dogs), their size can fluctuate as they fill with fluid, rupture, then refill. When cysts rupture, they can cause little crusts or scabs on the surface of the skin. These lesions can become infected if a dog licks or scratches at the area, but most of the time, they don't cause any problems. I don't see evidence of infection in the picture. For now, I think it's reasonable to keep an eye on the area for changes. If you want to clean it with an antiseptic to err on the side of caution, Hibiclens and betadine are both good over the counter options, but be sure to rinse well afterwards. Unless this lesion gets larger, has more discharge, or irritates Booboo, I don't think you need to take a trip to the vet for this lesion alone. That said, be sure to mention it to your vet the next time Booboo is due for an exam so that they can check it out. I hope that everything goes well!

Hi and thanks for posting! If the infection on his tail is healing or is close to fully healed, it may take 2-4 weeks for the hair to grow back in that area. Sometimes, however if the infection is severe enough and leaves scar tissue in the area, the hair may not grow back fully. I hope this helps and best of luck!

It is not uncommon for there to be a little hair loss when we remove discharge that is dried to the skin. If the skin is becoming red or irritated, then I would certainly have your veterinarian examine it, but otherwise the fur should regrow normally. You may also want to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on treating the eye discharge since that seems to be a chronic problem for Quincy. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your question about Bastian. If the scabs are falling off and the skin no longer appears inflamed, I think you can stop using the ointment. Leave the scab alone as they are nature's band aides. They will eventually separate from the skin and you can comb them out of the fur. No need to treat the skin once the infection is gone. Please post again if you have any further questions!

Scabbing/hair loss can be caused by a number of things including infections from bacteria/yeast/fungus on the skin, allergies, metabolic changes internally, wounds or scratches, parasites, and more. Making sure Rosie is on a good monthly flea and tick preventive may help if you see parasites. If the area is not improving or is expanding in size it is best to have your vet take a look. They may recommend taking a skin scraping of the area to have it tested for possible causes. Be sure to also let your vet know of any other changes such as changes in appetite or energy levels. As some infections can be contagious to other pets and people, washing your hands after handling the area is best to help minimize spread.