What to do about my dog's peeling ear scab? Can I use bacitracin?

Ouch! That does look pretty irritated, so if it doesn't scab over or continues to look weepy, it's a good idea to have your vet take that look on Wednesday as it may need some anitbiotics. What you're doing at home currently is perfect! I'd continue to use the E-collar to prevent pawing at it, and keep the area clean and dry. You can use a clean compress to gently keep it clean so as to not cause more irritation by rubbing at it or accidentally bumping the scab as excessive cleaning may actually be slowing down the healing process. It should be fine to wait until Wednesday to have it looked at unless it massively swells up, becomes painful to the touch, or starts to ooze any cloudy or green discolored debris (all signs of infection).

Hello and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your question about Bastian. If the scabs are falling off and the skin no longer appears inflamed, I think you can stop using the ointment. Leave the scab alone as they are nature's band aides. They will eventually separate from the skin and you can comb them out of the fur. No need to treat the skin once the infection is gone. Please post again if you have any further questions!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If it is healing and she has stopped scratching I would continue your treatment plan until the area has scabbed over. If it fails to heal I recommend having your Vet examine it and see if antibiotics are needed. I hope this helps and I wish Winnie the best!

Hello. If things are pretty static it is best just to leave the scab alone. Chances are at some point it will fall off. Most likely another scab will form & the process will repeat itself. The scab is somewhat protective, so I agree with your vet & leave the scab alone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If it really is just a scab, then I would leave it alone, since pulling it off will hurt and may cause bleeding. Scabs are there to protect the new tissue that is growing underneath. Scabs can often be confused by small moles, ticks, small papillomas or warts, or even a tumor. When Sven is calm and sitting near you, look and see if it looks like a scab (usually flat) or something else. If it is something else, then you should have it checked out by a vet.

From the photo it looks like an injury to the ear tip. These often bleed and the scab would make it look black and crusty. It should heal fine without treatment other than what your are doing by applying the antibiotic ointment. It’s best not to rub the area since leaving the scab on will protect the injured area as it’s healing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Pua.

Unfortunately those ''ointments'' (they are based silver nitrate usually) are usually not good and a bit too painful when used for skin lesions. A buster collar and potentially head/ear bandage (frequently changed) can be used for enough time to allow the skin to heal completely.