My dog has a scabby bump. When should I worry and see a vet?

If this just appears to be a crusted area and is not raised, it is possible this was an insect bite that got irritated or a small scratch/wound. If the lesion is raised (I can't really tell from the appearance) then we sometimes get warty skin growths that can get traumatized and bleed/crust over. I would wash the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at most drug stores) and apply a topical antibiotic like Polysporin or Neosporin a few times day. If she is scratching/rubbing at the area she may need an e-collar for a few days to stop self-trauma. If the lesions isn't improving after several days of this or it starts to get larger/other spots appear then these would be reasons to seek veterinary care.

I am sorry to hear about Daisy! Due to the size of this lesion and the fact that it isn't improving, I would recommend taking Daisy to the vet for examination of this swelling. I would be concerned that we could have a bacterial infection like an abscess, that this could be a spider bite or other insect bite, or possibly even a mass/tumor. The vet can examine the area and may try to aspirate the swelling (use a small needle to remove any fluid present or collect cells that may help identify the cause of the swelling and the best treatment). Best of luck with Daisy!

It's quite possible that the little bump on Booboo's back is a cyst. While most cysts are benign (especially ones in young dogs), their size can fluctuate as they fill with fluid, rupture, then refill. When cysts rupture, they can cause little crusts or scabs on the surface of the skin. These lesions can become infected if a dog licks or scratches at the area, but most of the time, they don't cause any problems. I don't see evidence of infection in the picture. For now, I think it's reasonable to keep an eye on the area for changes. If you want to clean it with an antiseptic to err on the side of caution, Hibiclens and betadine are both good over the counter options, but be sure to rinse well afterwards. Unless this lesion gets larger, has more discharge, or irritates Booboo, I don't think you need to take a trip to the vet for this lesion alone. That said, be sure to mention it to your vet the next time Booboo is due for an exam so that they can check it out. I hope that everything goes well!

I see that Tyson is a boxer, and they can be prone to mast cell tumors. Of course this could be a scab, but without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give his vet a call in the morning to make him an appointment. I hope this helps.

I'd leave it be for now, and have your family monitor it for signs of infection (redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, pus). If there are any signs of infection, have them take Kiko into the vet. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like Kanye may have a small area of inflammation. This could be from a scratch or insect bite. Keep watch on it and if it gets bigger, changes color or doesn’t get better in a few days I recommend a vet visit to have it assessed to be sure it isn’t a mass or tumor.

This looks like a skin wart that has become irritated. These are benign skin growths. They are nothing to be overly concerned about. As this one looks infected I would clean it with hydrogen peroxide and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. It should get less red in a few days. If it becomes a constant problem due to Pikkon scratching it your veterinarian can remove it. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Pikkon.