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My dog's leg is swollen, infected, and home remedies failed. What now?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dogue de Bordeaux | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 7 months old | 150 lbs

My dog a 7year old male dogue de bordeaux has been injured somehow on his front right leg which had left a hole in his leg and now the size has got much larger (swollen and infected) have used a bread poultis to remove the visible pus but he is limited in walking eating and drinking. He has been cleaned with Epsom salts diluted in water and bandaged every 4 hours with the poultis. This has not worked

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Ann Dion, DVM

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 19th, 2017

Hello. I am sorry to hear about Maximus. It sounds like Maximus has a very severe infection and requires a visit to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Also, bandages that are not applied properly (too tight, over wet skin, not with pressure from bottom to top, etc) can very easily damage limbs, and it is possible to make your infection and swelling much worse, and in some cases an inappropriately applied bandage has led to amputation of limbs being necessary. I would recommend taking the bandage off and getting Maximus to a vet right away. If you can't go tonight, then get an e-collar to stop Maximus from chewing at the limbs, and bring him first thing tomorrow, but tonight would be better. Best of luck with Maximus!
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