My 9-week-old puppy has a neck lump and acne. Is it serious?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. These bump are pustules, so yes, sort of like acne but it is really inflammation of the hair follicles. It can be the beginning of puppy strangles so still continue to look out for that. You have two options: 1. Do nothing and just monitor them and let their immune systems take care of it as long as they are otherwise fine. OR 2. You can use these medicated pads once daily on the affected areas until the issue is resolved. ( https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/223965_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=146660&auto=true ) Sometimes these get very infected and inflamed, in which case, you will need to take them to the vet as oral antibiotics will be needed. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

In a young dog these are often a little cyst or a mass known as a histiocytoma. These may grow a little bigger, but eventually go away on their own after a couple of months. I think it would fine to just monitor this for now. If grows rapidly, or breaks open, or has any other dramatic changes, then it's best to have your vet examine Capone in order to definitively diagnose the cause of this and provide the necessary treatment. Below is a link to more information about the suspected mass. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skin-cutaneous-histiocytoma I hope that helps and all is well with Capone.

I accidentally posted that answer before I was done. Puppy strangles is a rare condition where the body seems to attack its own skin. Your veterinarian will likely do skin tests to rule out more common causes of skin disease first (mites and ringworm for example). The sooner he is diagnosed, he can begin treatment if necessary. I hope this information helps!

Hello, thank you for your question about Skurge. Based on the symptoms that you are describing I would be suspicious that this lump could be an abscess, or an infection. Dogs get abscesses in their neck area not uncommonly often secondary to trauma or bad dental disease (less likely in your puppy). I would recommend having Skurge seen by your veterinarian so that they can examine the area and discuss additional treatments. Hope this helps, good luck!

From the location my best guess would be an enlarged lymph node - this could be confirmed on a physical exam performed by your vet. Lymph nodes are where his immune system is stored and can become enlarged when Luicus is fighting an infection, or inflammation. It may be best to have him examined tomorrow to check he's not running a fever.

This lump in your puppy’s skin is probably nothing to worry about. It could be from an insect bite or sting or may be a reaction to a vaccine he had in that area. Keep an eye on it for now. If it becomes larger, painful, or red, then take him to your vet right away. Or if he starts acting lethargic, vomits/has diarrhea or stops wanting to eat, you should take him to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi and thanks for your request. This looks like chin acne, a deep bacterial infection quite commonly seen in these cases. Please provide some disinfection with hibiscrub solution twice daily 1:10 diluted with water and use a buster collar to avoid any scratching/rubbing. If no improvement is seen in a week time a check up will be required as antibiotics may be needed.