My dog's wound is growing, she's licking it, and is lethargic. Is it serious?

This patch looks infected, this could be the cause of all the other symptoms as well, you will need to take Gigi to the vet ASAP in order to get it checked, the area will need to be clipped and she will probably need a course of antibiotics in order to get better.

Hi there, That's a fairly deep wound and I would recommend it be repaired. I would take her to a veterinarian so they can sedate and suture the wound closed. She also may need antibiotics and pain medications. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I am sorry to hear about Brownie May. She needs veterinary attention right away, this is a very serious wound and if treatment is postponed then she could be at risk of needing more extensive surgery. It is likely infected and also very painful. Imagine if your hand had the skin ripped off and bone exposed, you would be headed to the emergency room. I would look into finding a vet office that can take payments, apply for Care Credit, or borrow money from a friend or family member to have her seen. This is an emergency. You can find more info on resources for affording veterinary care at: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

That appears deep enough and long enough it will require stitches to heal quicker and antibiotics so it will not get infected since the source is unknown. It is best to have it evaluated this evening if possible, but if not, then keep Neosporin on it and discourage her from scratching it and visit a vet in the morning.

I recommend to have Charlie examined by the veterinarian today. The liquid likely indicates an infection which can get worse without treatment. Charlie will likely get an antibiotic and maybe a topical treatment. Charlie also cannot lick or scratch the area because this could make it worse. He may need to wear an elizabethan collar at all times. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

The most important thing to do is stop his licking by using a cone. Then clean the wound with a warm damp cloth and apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it. The skin discoloring is from licking. This should heal in a few days to a week once he leaves it alone. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your dog.

I would recommend that you have Cookie examined by a vet. The browning of the hair is often caused by increased licking (the saliva turns the hair a rusty brown color). It can be caused by pain or itching. The limping may or may not be related, but the vet can look into it. An odor could be caused by a yeast infection or anal glands or something else. Your vet should be able to put things together!