My dog has a pus-like lump on her vulva. Should I see a vet?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is probably a small abscess or focus of infection. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian. They can prescribe a topical or systemic antibiotic for her which may be enough to treat this if they agree it is an infection. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly an abscess. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. If confirmed to be an abscess this is usually treated by drainage and flushing of the abscess as well as antibiotics. This usually resolves uneventfully. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is not possible to know what this is without an examination. This lesion you describe could potentially be something like an abscess for example. However, other things are possible. I recommend that you have Leah evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If an abscess was noted, further local therapy with drainage and antibiotics would be recommended. Good luck and best wishes!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a focal infection. You can try to use chlorhexidine containing pads (such as the Douxo chlorhexidine 3% PS pads) to clean the are twice daily for 7 days. You may find these online or at your local pet store. If there is no improvement or in the meantime this appears to be getting worse, have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!


Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like this wound that became a lump that is oozing fluid has become an abscess, or a pocket of infected fluid. Abscesses form when infection is trapped under the skin or within tissues such as fat or muscle. The bacteria will try to find a way out, so they can break through the skin and create a "draining tract" of pus. This should be addressed by your veterinarian, who will likely drain the abscess and open it up to allow continuous drainage. Antibiotics for at least 2 weeks will be needed, along with pain medications. Depending on the size of the wound/abscess, a bandage may be needed. I hope this is helpful! Thank you for seeking care for your Luna!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. These could also be abscesses based on your description. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Saffie evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A 5 month old female dog with SMALL amounts of puss from the vagina can be something called 'puppy vaginitis' which is a common condition that is resolved by having the puppy spayed. If there is a LARGE amount of puss present then a life-threatening condition called pyometra could be the cause, in which case she needs to go to a vet right away. Pyometra is very uncommon in a 5 month old puppy and most often always requires a dog to have had a heat first, so puppy vaginitis is most likely. This could also be a urinary tract infection resulting in puss from the vulva. I would have Baliey seen by your vet to be assessed, and have her spayed sometime in the next month or two. Best of luck with her!