Should I worry about a scratch on my dog's cheek? What to do?

I suggest you get this wound spray and use it on the affected areas 3-4 times per day. If after a few days it is not looking better or it looks worse then you should have him to the vet for an exam. ( )

This does not appear to be a bite of any form. Could be scratches. I don't see anything here that I would be overly concerned with and I don't think your vet would do anything at this stage either. If you want to try something I would recommend you use this wound spray on the nose. It won't hurt her if he licks it off but I suggest you try to minimize that because if he licks it off, it can't work. So, I suggest soaking a cotton ball with the spray and then wiping it on the nose. Dogs don't typically like being sprayed in the face; you don't want to scare him. Put it on and then distract him for a few minutes with a Kong filled with treats or something similar to get his mind off of it. It should dry rather quickly and you don't need to use a lot - just a very thin layer twice a day. ( https://www.chewy.com/vetericyn-antimicrobial-hydrogel/dp/136104 ) If no improvement or it starts to look worse, then he should definitely see a vet. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello, it looks from the picture like an area of hair loss and inflammation of the skin, but not an actual open wound. I would be concerned that she either got a hot spot, or something spilled on her, or potentially being road rash. It could also be infection either with parasites, bacteria, or ringworm. I would have Masa evaluated by your veterinarian if it is not getting any better in a few days or if she is scratching a lot or if the area of hair loss is getting bigger. In the mean time, you can clean it with soap and warm water then make sure to dry it thoroughly. If She is scratching at the area, you can place a shirt over her to protect the area. Best of luck and hope this helps!

I am sorry to hear about Max. While we cannot tell for sure without examining him in person, it is possible this could be what we call a "hot spot", which is a painful superficial infection/inflammation of the skin. You can read more about this conditon at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2714 . I would recommend examination by a veterinarian. Most often we need to shave these and clean them, and prescribe a steroid to decrease the inflammation and pain. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed as well. Best of luck to you and Max!

It looks as if Ava has a scratch or abrasion of some sort. My best guess would be that she got it roughhousing with another dog at the dog park. Or, if you have noticed that she is itchy, she may have caused some self trauma by scratching too hard. You could try putting some triple antibiotic ointment on the area for a couple days and see if that helps it heal up. If it persists for more than a few days or if you noticed that Ava is very itchy, then I would recommend taking her to the vet to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Keep the wound clean and dry. You can use just a damp cloth to clean the wound if needed. I would not recommend using any appointments or peroxide is that can cause worsening irritation. It will probably heal up just fine, but if you notice any swelling or discharge I recommend that does it to rule out infection or need for antibiotics.

Yes, this is perfectly manageable back home as it looks very superficial. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths three times daily until completely healed. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching. If you notice more severe wounds or if the wound do not get better in the next 4 days a check up would be required as antibiotics may be needed.