My dog has an itchy neck sore with pus. Can I treat it at home?

This sounds like a sudden bacterial skin infection. Well there could be lots of causes the treatment is pretty standard with wound cleaning of the area and usually an antibiotic medication. Your veterinarian will need to see Ryder to determine what antibiotic is appropriate as well as have any topical medication as needed. In the meantime keep the area clean and dry as much as possible but do not apply an ointment as it could trap moisture and lead to further bacterial growth.

That heavy discharge generally indicates infection. Your pup will heal the fastest if he goes in to see his doctor. The doctor may give him a systemic antibiotic or may only give him topicals if the lesion is very small. Sometimes these pets can be itchy as well and will get medication for that too. You definitely want to make sure that he cannot itch or lick at that area as it will make it worse. The doctor will also shave the hair as it needs to be exposed to the air to dry up. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

I am so sorry to hear about Rocky. Based on your photo I suspect he has what we call a "hot spot" or acute moist pyoderma. This is a bacterial infection of the skin and can be painful and itchy. Most often we treat these by shaving and cleaning the area then prescribing a course of antibiotics and steroids. You can read more about this at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2714. I would recommend setting up an appointment at your vet to get him taken care of!!! Hopefully with treatment Rocky will be back to normal soon!

These look pretty deep. I think you are doing a great job treating them at home. You should change the cortisone to neosporin though to help with the infection. I am afraid that she is going to need some oral antibiotics especially if they aren't improving. I would contact your vet for an exam and oral medicine to help it heal up. I hope this helps.

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria - so called hot spot). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Poor Marley! Thank you for providing pictures of the area. If there is pus, that means the sore is infected. He will need to see a vet for antibiotics to treat it. Tonight, wash the area with warm water and antiseptic soap to clean it, and then take him into the vet in the morning to have it examined and treated. Put an Ecollar on him tonight to keep him from scratching at it and possibly making it worse. You can make one at home, and I will put a link below on how to make one. While at the vet, I recommend having his ear examined as well. I notice the sore is below is his ear, and I'm wondering if he has been scratching excessively at his ear causing the sore. This can be a sign of an ear infection. The vet can examine his ear, and if he does have an ear infection, the vet can diagnose the cause (ear mites, yeast, or bacteria), and can prescribe treatment for it. Good luck, I hope this helps and thank you for contacting Pet Coach! http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

This presentation could be due to a localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.