My dog's paw wound is getting bigger and not healing. What's wrong?

Poor Cubbie! I am very concerned by looking at the photos that this may be a tumor that has become infected. I would have her rechecked or seek a second opinion. A topical cream is not going to do anything for this as the infection is too deep. Your pet may need surgery to remove this and an oral antibiotic to control the infection. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If you haven't been back to the vet since starting antibiotics, I'd recommend going back so they can see how it looks now. You definitely need a vet visit before finishing the antibiotics, since it's not looking healed up. It's possible the wound needs different bandaging methods, different antibiotics, or even surgery to help heal. Good luck!

Hi there. Usually, unless there is active bleeding, I tend to leave wounds open and uncovered to heal. Bandages can trap moisture and cause the area to get infected, and can also cause tissue damage if they become too tight. If Maeby is licking excessively at her paw, you can use an e-collar (plastic cone) to keep her from getting to it until it's healed over. Neosporin is okay to use topically on the wound to help prevent infection. If it hasn't healed within the next 4-5 days, or if you see any redness or swelling developing around it, then I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam as she may need oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory meds to treat it more effectively.

It's hard to see with all the hair, I assume I'm looking at the top of her paw and it's between two toes. This may not be a traumatic injury, it could be a place that she has licked and scratched because she had a small wound or an insect bite or other irritation between the toes. I recommend keeping it clean with a warm damp washcloth and mild soap, make sure to rinse it completely and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the skin moist and avoid cracking. I would get it seen by your vet as soon as you can but, as long as she seems otherwise fine, I don't feel this is an emergency.

Poor Belle. This could be a bacterial infection, fungal infection, or even a type of skin mite. Especially since it is getting worse, I would have your vet take a look at it. Your vet will be able to determine what has caused the infection and the best treatment plan to make it better. She is likely going to need some oral medication to help it heal. I hope this helps!

This sounds like an infected interdigital cyst. These are common in dog’s paws. They usually need oral antibiotics to heal these infections, so I would take her in to your veterinarian for an exam and treatment. In the meantime you can soak the paw in an antibacterial solution, and use a cone to prevent her from licking the paw. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Toffee.

At. This point, I would surgically explore that lesion. There may be a foreign body in there, there may be a small mass or tumor inside, but at least it should be surgically debrided. Debriding it will remove all of the dead necrotic tissue. It should be kept clean by doing daily bandage changes and your pet likely needs a different antibiotic. If this was a routine infection that was responsive to Cephalexin, it would be better by now.