What's this smelly, oozing growth on my senior dog's back, and what should I do?

I'd have to say that I'm concerned about that focal mass area that is pigmented black, but the rest of this lesion does not look like any type of skin cancer I have seen. If the vet is concerned that this is cancer, typically we debulk (remove as much as possible) or completely remove what we can before attempting chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is also best guided when we know exactly the type of tumor we are dealing with, as there are several types of cancers that can affect the skin of dogs. My advice would be to get a biopsy performed of this lesion and get an exact diagnosis before proceeding with treatment.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Judging from the photis, this appears to have a raised area in the center. This could be a sebaceous cyst that ruptured and is now secondarily infected or has an open wound on it that won't heal. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this and have some additional testing performed on it to determine what it could be. With more information on what this could be, the most appropriate treatment can then be started. If you are unable to get to your vet right now, I would recommend using an ointment called zymox topical ointment to apply to the area. If the ointment does not help aftwr 5-7 days or it worsens during that time, I would get kane to the vet for an exam. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

It is hard to tell without seeing it in person, but pimple like bumps often indicate an infection like a pyoderma. Sometimes medicated shampoo can be enough to get rid of the bumps, but other times they need oral antibiotics. I would recommend making sure he is on a good flea prevention and speaking with your vet about the possibility of a skin infection. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If this is associated with itchiness, this may be due to skin allergies. There are medications such as Apoquel and prednisone which may help to decrease the itch. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Poor Poppy! Dogs can develop skin conditions at any age. In older dogs things such as endocrine diseases and food allergies are more common. If you notice the lesions are getting worse, then I would recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian. The doctor will take a look at him and get a thorough history and may recommend some blood tests if an underlying cause is suspected. The doctor will also recommend treatment for the lesions. At home, washing the lesions in an antibacterial hand soap and rinsing them well once a day can help to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. You can apply a dab of coconut oil and rub it in well once the skin is dry. You need to make sure however that he does not lick the coconut oil. This may help but if there is an underlying cause, the lesions will simply come back. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions!

The skin will turn black as a response to inflammation - it is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Most commonly this is from a yeast infection of the skin. I suggest you start bathing her with medicated shampoo 1-2 times per week and in between baths use this medicated spray on the affected areas. Be sure to read the instructions throughly. The shampoo must have contact skin with the skin to work. You can't just put it on and then rinse it off. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6692-douxo-chlorhexidine-shampoo-for-dogs-and-cats.aspx?SearchTerm=chlorhexidine+Auto ) ( https://www.allivet.com/p-6677-douxo-chlorhexidine-micro-emulsion-spray-for-dogs-and-cats-68-oz.aspx?SearchTerm=duoxo%20spray+Auto ) The "skin tag" actually looks like a cyst or wart of some kind. That should be checked by your vet.

This can be normal based on her history. The flaking is called seborrhea. My recommendation would be to get a medicated shampoo and wash her with that. You need to lather it, let it sit on the coat for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. The shampoo needs that 10 minute contact time to work. Do this every 3- 4 days until the coat looks better and the flaking stops. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Veterinary-Formula-Clinical-Care-Medicated-Shampoo-for-Dogs-Cats-Antiseborrheic-Antidandruff-16-0-FL-OZ/207485799 I would also recommend a fish oil supplement - use a product made for dogs. https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=fish%20oil%20dog&cat_id=0 I hope this helps! Best wishes!