My dog has a painful, sticky bald spot on her cheek. What to do?

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.

It looks like Stella has a hot spot. The area should be clipped with clippers and scrubbed with an antiseptic wound cleaner. An oral antibiotic and a corticosteroid may also be needed to help the lesion heal. A lot of times hot spots are associated with allergies so you could talk to your vet about keeping her on an oral anti-histamine. Hope she gets better soon!

This could be from an insect bite or injury that he’s licked excessively. I would place him in a cone and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it daily. If it doesn’t improve in about ten days then you can take him in for a skin scraping to check for mange. I don’t often see localized demodex in a dog this age. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ralph.

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!

Bear's skin lesion looks most suspicious for a hot spot (acute moist dermatitis), but could be related to ringworm, mange or a skin infection from underlying allergies. You can try carefully using clippers to clip the hair around these lesions, then cleaning them regularly with an antiseptic chlorhexidine solution (this shampoo is one example: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27982) and rinse/dry well. If Bear is scratching or rubbing at these lesions at all, be sure to keep an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further skin damage. If these lesions continue or worsen, Bear will need to go to his vet for further evaluation. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Ouch, poor Chewie! This lesion looks most consistent with a hot spot (moist dermatitis). Given the location, I would also be concerned that he created the lesion from trying to scratch his ears from an ear infection. If you have clippers on hand, you can clip the hair around the skin lesion and then clean it with an antiseptic soap, such as chlorhexidine or betadine. It is worth taking a trip to the vet to have his skin and ears evaluated. Until you can take Chewie to the vet, keep an e-collar on him to prevent further skin damage. I hope that all goes well!

I am sorry to hear about Lexi. While it is impossible to provide a diagnosis from a photo, it looks like Lexi could be suffering from acute moist pyoderma, also known as a "hot spot". These are areas of superficial skin infection and can be quite painful. You can read more about them here: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2714. I would recommend a visit to your vet. They can shave the area with clippers, clean the skin and may prescribe either topical treatment such as a medicated shampoo or spray, or oral antibiotics/anti-inflammatory medication.