My dog's leg has an infected, bad-smelling hole. What should I do?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). Ideally a check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. The area must be clipped more and disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths (twice daily). Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This should be seen and examined by a veterinarian. This could be an infected hotspot, an ulcerated tumor or another skin condition that needs veterinary attention. Since it looks infected I would definitely make an appointment for the next few days. Depending on the diagnosis your vet will prescribe medications or suggest removal of the mass. This is a tricky spot for mass removal, as there is very little skin available to close the wound, so it will likely take a few weeks to months to heal after surgery.

I'm sorry Pogo has this going on. Many things can cause what you describe, but I am suspicious that it might be an infected and now ruptured tumor. This could be benign or malignant, but should be evaluated quickly. Your veterinarian may have to treat the infection before they can diagnose what the lump may be. In the mean time warm compresses may help it drain and make Pogo feel better. Keep him indoors and away from flies or the wound will be full of maggots in a day. Good luck to both of you! I hope he improves quickly.

This appears to be an infected wound. It looks like it has been caused by some sort of penetrating object. The antibiotics should start to kick in and sort the infection. You can clean the outside with warm water that has been boiled. If it is not improving go back to the vet in case there is a foreign body inside it.

This growth looks like it's getting infected at the bottom. I recommend having this removed as soon as you are able. It has a small attachment to the leg so it should be able to be removed easily. Hank may get sick if the infection isn't controlled. You can keep it clean in the meantime but if it gets worse it will need treatment soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Hank.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This looks like furunculosis which is a deep bacterial infection of the skin. It will not resolve without a long course of oral antibiotics. Now, that being said, this could be a primary issue or a secondary issue - I cannot tell you without examining her myself and doing some testing. You really need to take her to your vet for an exam as soon as you can. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

This wound requires an immediate check up and possibly a stitch up as it seems infected and it is unlikely that will heal without immediate intervention. Proper disinfection and antibiotic treatment is required. 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. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.