My dog has a raw, oozing armpit from harness. Should he see a vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is likely this will heal well with a little help. I would advise putting the antibiotic ointment on once or twice daily and putting a T shirt on Precious so that she can’t lick the ointment off (or lick at the wound, which delays healing). You can use a rubber band or hair tie to remove the slack from her waist area if you want. Best of luck to you and Precious!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. From the photos you provided, this could be a bacterial and / or fungal infection. This area commonly stays moist and can develop a skin infection because of this. I would recommend using Malacetic Conditioning Spray (can be found online) and apply to the area twice daily until resolved. I would also recommend using a steroid spray (Petco has a spray called Well & Good Hydrocortisone spray) and apply twice daily as well to help relieve inflammation. If this does not resolve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for sending along the pictures- the areas there do look very red and do appear infected to me. Allergies, bacterial, fungal, or mite infections can all be possible causes. You can try the medicated shampoo again to see if it helps this time around. If it doesn't help much or if it worsens, I would recommend Oscar see his veterinarian for an exam and further evaluation. He may need antibiotics or other medications as needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a severe focal infection. I recommend you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment as this will likely require local therapy with cleaning of the site, pain control medications and antibiotics. Also, your veterinarian could check for a possible underlying cause like allergies, mites or a foreign body reaction. Good luck!

This looks like he has a mild skin infection or perhaps some irritation from a harness. You can bathe this area in a medicated shampoo which should improve the skin over time. If the harness is rubbing the area I would switch the harness. It the bald area is getting worse or spreading then I would bring him in for an exam. They may do a skin scraping to see whether the problem is caused by bacteria, yeast or mites. Once they have the specific diagnosis they can give Oswald the correct medication for treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Oswald.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. A topical steroid spray may be more effective in reducing inflammation. I would also consider bathing with a shampoo such as Douxo PS Calm shampoo, which can be found online quite easily and bathe twice weekly until resolved. If there is no improvement, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The area looks moist so it is likely a superficial skin infection or hot spot. I would wash the area with water and mild soap and apply a triple antibiotic ointment twice daily. The area does look a bit swollen so watch it closely. If there is no improvement over the weekend have her checked by your Vet Monday. I hope this helps!