My dog has a white, coin-sized sore on his paw. Is it serious?

Hello, my name is Dr. Shines and I am happy to help. That lesion could be a few things including an injury- like a scrape or infected puncture wound, or flatten skin mass or something like a resolving boil or ingrown hair. If Odin seems comfortable and the area doesn't appear blister-like, swollen or painful, you can try home care. If it looks like anything I just named, he should go to the veterinarians office between now and Monday. At home there are some things you can do which may help to heal the sore. The first thing you need to do is stop the licking (since this can make it worse). Odin should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. Remember that the collar must come out past his nose in order to be effective. Next, wash the area once a day with either plain hand soap (like Dial) or a medicated pet shampoo. This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. Rinse the area well and gently towel dry. Lastly, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day. Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Make sure the skin is dry before application. Neosporin is fine to use. Since it's on Odin's foot, he needs to rest and avoid trauma so only short, controlled walks. Also avoid rough surfaces like dry grass which may cause further irritation. If the spot is not much better in 1 week, if it gets worse at any point or if the lesion is not completely healed within 2 weeks, Odin needs to be examined by the veterinarian. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know without being able to examine her. This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hello! That looks like some type of puncture wound on Lobo’s foot. Often this is due to stepping on/running into something sharp. Sometimes it can be related to a grass awning (called a foxtail) working its way into the skin. It can also represent a fungal infection or the emergence of a fly larvae. Lesions like this should generally be examined by the veterinarian since further treatment and antibiotics may be needed. I recommend to get Lobo into the veterinarian within the next few days. In the meantime, protect the area from licking bye have having him where an Elizabethan collar at all times. You can wash the area gently with soap and water and rental. You can play Neil Sporn to the wrong area twice a day once the far is dry. In the meantime, protect the area from licking by having him wear an Elizabethan collar at all times. You can wash the area gently with soap and water and rinse well. You can apply neosporin to the raw area twice a day once the fur is dry. Keep the area clean and dry. Don’t let him play in the dirt or dry grass. Regular walks are fine but avoid dog parks in other areas like that. I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any additional questions.

Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths twice daily for 5 days. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). If the wound does not heal in 5 days a check up would be required. 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This looks like it could be a histiocytoma. If it is not bothering her then you can monitor it for a bit to see if it goes away on it's own. If it does not, or it is bothering her, then she should be examined by your vet. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

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/scratching (if any). 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Dexter. If the wound is not healing, I recommend that he sees his veterinarian early next week if he is otherwise acting normal. I cannot tell from the picture if there is a scab across the wound versus material that can be expressed out of the opening. If you can express material out, he could have a ruptured cyst. These are common small growths on or within the skin of a dog. They can rupture open though and become infected. Based on his exam, the veterinarian will decide if he needs any medication. In the meantime, do not let him lick or scratch the area. I hope this information helps!