My dog won't stop licking and chewing a sore spot. Is it serious?

It is very difficult, or nearly impossible, to say what the initial cause of that wound is on Clyde's arm. However, what he is now doing is contributing to its inability to heal properly. The licking is happening because the area hurts, but the licking creates a more profound wound. This in turn creates more pain, therefore more licking, and on and on the wheel turns. As a result, we need to stop the licking. You will need to get a collar for Clyde to wear. You can buy one commercially or make on at home. The area should also be clipped and cleaned with an antiseptic, and something should be applied to the area daily to help with itching. A systemic antibiotic is sometimes needed in these instances as well, which would require a visit to the vet. Hope this helps!

Ouch! That does look like a bit of a sore spot. If you have an appointment already scheduled, I would just place an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Bentley to prevent him from continuing to lick the food as licking it can make the spot worse and introduce bacteria/cause an infection in an already inflamed wound. Keeping the sore spot clean and dry with the use of a washcloth is also a good idea until your appointment. If you do see any rapid changes in size, it starts oozing debris badly, or it is painful enough that Bentley can't walk on it, then trying to get in for an appointment sooner is best.

The dog who is licking that spot is probably doing so because the skin there had a very small lump that smelled different or the skin itself had an infection. Take the dog with the affected spot to your vet to have this area examined. You can also put an E-collar (cone) on the dog who is licking it, to prevent him from being able to do so. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). 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 licking. 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.

Any topical product you apply will promptly be licked off. This could be localized infection or inflammation. An allergic reaction or mass cannot be ruled out by image alone. Legally, we are prohibited from telling to medicate the spot in the absence of a physical exam. Ideally, Lana should be physically examined by your veterinarian for a firm diagnosis. She may need systemic treatment as opposed to topical. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Wipe her mouth after she drinks or eats.

Wounds on the skin can be caused by a number of things including injuries, parasites such as fleas or ticks, allergies, or even excessive licking. If Coco was licking the area a lot, it is possible that a hot spot has formed causing the wound you see. It is best to prevent him from licking the spot with the use of an Elizabethan (cone) collar. If the spot doesn't heal, worsens, more spots appear, or you see parasites or infection (pus, hot to touch, pain, etc), it is best to seek veterinary care.

Ouch - poor Charly! As Dr. Melanie mentioned, it's possible that Charly injured herself. When dogs injure themselves, they tend to lick and chew at the injured area in an attempt to make it feel better. (Think about how you may rub your ankle if you twist it.) During their licking, some dogs then also cause damage to their skin. On the other hand, it's possible that she may have an infectious issue causing this skin lesion, such as mange or ringworm, or even a skin infection associated with underlying allergies. Ultimately, it would be best to take Charly to her vet for an exam. Your vet may recommend some diagnostic testing before recommending the best course of treatment. I hope that she's feeling better soon!