My dog has a puss-filled ear lump. When should I take her to the vet?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Your poor pup! It sounds like she may have an abscess on her ear. It will need to be drained and flushed sterile, and she will need oral antibiotics to treat it. Topical ointment will not cure it, so you need to take her into the vet. I would take her into the vet now, as it needs immediate medical attention.

  

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• Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

  Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

  Published on July 29th, 2018

  Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This lump you describe could potentially be something like an abscess for example. However, other things are possible. I do think though that this can wait until tomorrow morning unless his demeanor or appetite worsened. Ear infections are fairly common. The good news is that these usually respond readily to therapy when treated appropriately. I recommend that you have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If an abscess was noted, further local therapy with drainage and antibiotics would be recommended. At the same time the ear infection could be started on treatment. Good luck and best wishes!

  

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• Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

  Veterinarian

  Published on June 28th, 2020

  Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like a small abscess or hair follicle infection. I don't think it is anything urgent, you can see your regular vet tomorrow to sort this out. Your Olivia will probably need an antibiotic cream or ointment. If it is a small abscess, your vet may want to pop it to let the puss out.

  

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• Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 11th, 2017

  Poor puppy. : ( It sounds like your pet developed an abscess (bacterial infected pocket) on the top of her head. These are caused by trauma or punctures to the skin that introduced bacteria just underneath the skin, which in turn lead to pus encapsulated under the skin. She needs to have this abscess completely drained by your vet and placed on oral antibiotics for roughly 10 days.
  Her neck may be sore too because her lymph node is located in this area and it may be swollen because it is trying to drain this infected area. Take her in to the vet soon for treatment and she should be much improved within a few days, once she starts her antibiotics. Best wishes.

  

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