My dog has a skin irritation on her leg. When should I see the vet?

I agree with you that the area looks very irritated. It's a little difficult to tell from the pictures, but the area actually looks a little thickened or swollen, so I think it is worth having your veterinarian examine it and do some testing to see what might be going on in order to determine the best treatment for Atlas. Good luck! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If it seems to be bothering Ellie or if the sore is getting larger I'd recommend seeing your veterinarian. I probably wouldn't apply any medication since she may be licking it off, and ointments can make some kinds of skin infections worse. If the sore is not going away in the next 2-3 days, if it is getting larger in size or if you notice more sores I'd recommend having your vet take a look.

It's possible that Feli has been licking or scratching this area, causing these abrasions. This type of lesion can develop pretty quickly - even overnight. Some of the most common causes of itching include allergies and fleas. Make sure that she's regularly receiving a good quality flea preventive (Bravecto, Nexgard, Credelio and Simparica are all great prescription options, and K9 Advantix II is available over the counter). You can also give her a bath in a gentle oatmeal or baby shampoo in case there are any lingering allergens on her coat causing irritation. You certainly don't need to rush her to a vet for these lesions alone, but if they get worse or spread, then you should take her to get checked out. When dogs scratch, they can damage the protective skin barrier, which can make them susceptible to developing skin infections. I hope that she's on the mend soon!

Anything you apply will likely be licked off before it has a chance to help. Your best option is to place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking. Contact your veterinarian and ask about OTC or prescription antihistamines that may help if an allergic reaction is involved. A fish oil supplement may also help promote healthy skin. If symptoms persist, consider an exam to rule out infection or injury. You can also discuss allergy testing, food allergies and environmental allergies in depth with your veterinarian.

Hello, you might try a small amount of hydrocortisone cream twice daily for 7-10 days. If the area does not improve, or seems to be spreading, please see your veterinarian for further diagnosis. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

From the crusting and redness, it does look like Lexi has an infection in her skin. You could start by doing a compress with warm wet washcloth to soften up and clean the crust away. Then clean the area with an antiseptic like betadine solution (diluted to the color of weak tea) and apply a topical triple antibiotic ointment. Based on where exactly it is, I would put on a cone or even a little t-shirt to stop her from scratching at it. If it doesn't improve or starts to spread, I would definitely recommend taking her to a vet for an exam as they sometimes need to be prescribed oral antibiotics.

Yes, if it's irritating her, then it's probably best to ask your vet about removing it. If left for too long, the excessive licking can cause a wound and infection. It's best to schedule an appointment for an exam within the next two weeks.