What causes a sore on my dog's rear and how can I treat it at home?

I wouldn't put anything on it, as she will just lick it off. Many human ointments contain ingredients that are not safe for dogs to ingest. You can clean the sore with warm water and antiseptic soap.

You can apply some Neosporin to it topically but honestly, most of the times this means that the gland is impacted or infected. I suggest you take her to your vet or groomer to have the glands checked/expressed. You can try the Neosporin for a couple days but if she continues to scoot or that sore looks worse at any time you should get her to your vet for an exam.

You had asked what might cause this -- possibilities include an [anal gland abscess](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anal-glands-sacs-impactions-infections-abscesses-in-dogs), [other infection](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/skin-ulcers-and-draining-lesions/) or possibly a tumor. Unfortunately, without a physical exam, a diagnosis cannot be made. Your veterinarian should be able to diagnose the cause after the exam tomorrow. Until then, place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on your dog to prevent licking or chewing. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis. It is likely the e-collar will need to be kept on until healing is complete.

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

It may be from a collar irritation and pulling or from scratching due to fleas or an allergen. I would clean the area with soap and water and try to rub or brush out the scabs to clean the fur. This will allow you to better treat the skin. From there you can alternate cortisone cream and Neosporin topically to help heal it. If it is not improving after a few days of this, then she will need to be seen.

Based on the location (it appears to be just to the side and just below the anus), an anal gland abscess may have ruptured. I doubt it’s an insect bite, but I can’t rule that out completely. It could also be another type of mass such as a tumor or a foreign body (such as a grass seed) that’s burrowed into the skin and caused an abscess. Regardless, your instincts are correct; this likely needs to be treated with antibiotics. Put an E -collar (cone of shame) on him and make an appointment with your vet ASAP. Hope that’s helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I cannot really see the injury well on this picture. This could be an infected anal gland which would have to be treated by a veterinarian. If it is just a scrape or a crack in the skin, you should shave the hair around it, flush it with a mild wound disinfectant and then apply some antibiotic ointment. If it does not heal in a week after doing this, your dog needs to be seen by your veterinarian for wound treatment.