My male dog has a large scab on his testicles. What should I do?

Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on him right away to prevent further licking or scratching. If the wound is superficial, I suggest gently cleansing the area with a diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Applying a warm washcloth 2-3 times a day for five minutes at a time may provide some relief from itching and discomfort. Afterwards, dry the area throughly. If there is no sign of improvement in a few days or if your dog develops a fever, loses his appetite, start [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-in-dogs) and/or having [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-in-dogs) then have him physically examined by your veterinarian right away. Additional symptoms that should also be addressed by your veterinarian include redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding.

I've seen this one time, and it was a hunting dog that I suspect had a disease transmitted from a tick. Tick diseases can cause vasculitis, which means inflammation of the small blood vessels. It's not uncommon for the scrotum to be affected, as the blood supply there isn't great. Sometimes we also see it on the tips of the ears. This could be an infectious problem (from a tick bite as mentioned above) or an auto-immune problem. Also can't rule out plain old trauma, like running around in a field with prickly grasses and the like. Get him checked out to rule out serious illness, and to get some relief for what I'm sure is a painful condition.

You will need to put an e-collar on your dog so he cannot lick his testicles and keep them from healing. You may have to take him back to the vet for a skin swab or biopsy to be sent in and cultured and examined under the microscope, respectively. This may also be a fungal or parasitic infection or even cancerous.

I would recommend taking him to a vet as soon as possible. It looks like in the picture a hole has formed in the scrotum. This could be a ruptures abscess,trauma, neoplasia or parasite. The testicles need a exam along with the prostate. I would recommend a elizabethan collar to prevent licking until you make it to the vet.

Poor guy. He must have very sensitive skin and is having a hypersensitivity reaction in that area. I would recommend doing a gentle cleanse of his testicles with a mild soap (i.e Dove or oatmeal based shampoo) and warm water, letting it air dry, and then applying a topical soothing spray (i.e. Hydrocortisone spray) from your local pet store. You can also apply a thin layer of Neosporin if he tolerates it to help prevent secondary infections. Place an e-collar (cone) over him to prevent him from licking it further and see if this resolves in a few days. If not, then he may need additional treatment (i..e steroid shot +/- medicated ointments) from your local vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. An in tact dog may lick his scrotum for many reasons. The most common is actually “contact dermatitis”. That is, a rash from the friction of humping too much. Allergies, pain, and other causes are possible. I’d simply put him in an e-collar (pet store or online) so that he cannot lick them obsessively and cause further irritation. If it’s not better in 48 hours (or worsening at any time), it’s time to see the vet. I absolutely do NOT recommend any over the counter pain medications, though applying some frozen peas (wrapped in a thin kitchen towel or paper towel) might feel great and be very helpful to Fido. I’d do 5 minutes 2-4 times daily. Best wishes to you and Fido!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Messiah! It looks as though he either has a scrotal infection or is having a contact reaction or suffered a burn or trauma to the scrotum. If he is licking them excessively he needs to wear an E-collar. I would use a triple antibiotic ointment on the scrotum twice daily. If there is no improvement over the weekend have him seen by your Vet next week. Good luck