A. If should be healing by now. I would see a vet as there is obviously something wrong with it. May be infected but definitely needs help to heal.
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
If your dog has an open sore, it is likely that he or she is suffering from a skin ulcer. These lesions usually indicate injury, infection, or disease and require an examination by a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. Treatment and prognosis varies depending on the source of the ulcer.
Watch for these signs: Firm, raised wart-like blemishes (squamous cell carcinomas) Rubber-like, inflamed sores (mast cell tumors) Strange-colored lumps or bumps on the lips, mouth, pads of feet, toenail beds (melanomas)
Apply an antiseptic solution And your best bet here is an antiseptic solution. An antiseptic will chase away all the bad germs and bacteria that could possibly build up in your dog`s sore, they are what`s causing the pain.
New soft moist pink tissue should be forming in the area the wound was sustained in. If there is no new soft pink flesh forming where the wound was sustained, and you notice flesh around the wound is looking dark or feeling leathery, this is a bad sign.
It`s possible for the limp to go away on its own within a day if the injury is mild. On the other hand, if your dog can`t use their leg or move around for more than a day, or if this happens chronically, we recommend scheduling a visit with your veterinarian.
On the outside – skin infections
The affected area is often red and warm to touch. You may see spots or pustules, or a thick yellow or green discharge and an unpleasant odour. Abscesses are a deeper type of skin infection, commonly caused when something punctures the skin and pushes bacteria into the wound.
Sebaceous cysts appear as a single raised bump that may seem white or slightly blue in color. If it bursts, it will ooze a grayish white, brownish, or cottage-cheese-like discharge. These cysts usually develop on the head, neck, torso, or upper legs. False cysts (those filled with blood) often look dark.
You may hear it referred to as a cutaneous histiocytoma, too. It`s a relatively benign skin tumor that affects young dogs (usually less than 4 years old). It can sometimes be confused for other types of lumps on dogs. Histiocytomas appear on the surface of the skin as a pink-red, hairless lump.
Apply an antibacterial ointment to the wound. Triple antibiotic ointments containing bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B are widely available. AVOID any product that contains a corticosteroid like hydrocortisone.
Recovery of Pressure Sores in Dogs
Some sores are able to heal in four to six weeks, whereas sores that require surgical intervention may take longer to fully heal.
Contact your vet for advice if your dog`s wound isn`t healing quickly, or looks infected. Large or deep wounds are often very painful and get easily infected. A large/deep wound should always be examined by a vet immediately.
Use a mild soap and water solution and rinse the area well. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as these can actually delay healing. Once the wound is clean, you will want to apply an antibiotic ointment or cream. This will help to prevent infection and will also help the wound heal faster.
In most cases, it is safe for a dog to walk calmly on an operated leg as soon as they feel able to do so, even just after surgery. This includes most dogs who have had cruciate ligament surgery or patellar luxation surgery. These dogs are also safe to stand with all four paws on the ground.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in humans, and they can do the same for your dog. They can bring relief to a dog with arthritis or one who`s just had surgery.
Chlorhexidine. A common skin disinfectant, chlorhexidine is known to kill the types of bacteria and yeast that commonly lead to infections in dog wounds. You can use a 2% or 4% solution, though a lower concentration is the safer route.
Many minor cuts and grazes can be managed at home, but it is important to keep these wounds clean to avoid potential infection. Wounds can be effectively cleaned with salt water – you must first boil the water before leaving it to cool. 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 pint of water is plenty and is safe to use in all species.
The tumor may appear as a small nodule, a reddish colored skin plaque, or as a papule – small and blister like in appearance, but differentiated by its lack of fluid.
One of the best ways to identify a potentially cancerous lump is to evaluate how that tumor feels when touched. Compared to the soft, fatty characteristics of a lipoma, a cancerous lump will be harder and firm to the touch, appearing as a hard immovable lump on your dog.
Cysts can look and feel different, depending on the type. They are typically slow-growing, smooth, raised bumps on or under the skin. Sometimes they ooze a discharge, and over time they can ulcerate and change shade. They are usually colored white, blue, or a dark hue.
Sebaceous cysts are also referred to as sebaceous gland tumors in dogs. These lesions can be found in any age of dog, and can be seen as single growths or occur in multiples. If you see a growth on your pet, consult your veterinarian. Sebaceous cysts can range from a benign problem to a cancerous tumor.
Sebaceous cysts: these are smaller bumps that can look like a pimple or a wart. They form from blocked oil glands and may burst and release a pasty white goo. These most commonly occur in breeds with fine hair, like the Poodle and the Bichon Frise.
Most lumps are fatty tumors, though. These are benign, meaning not cancerous. Fewer than half of lumps and bumps you find on a dog are malignant, or cancerous. Still, they can look the same from the outside, so it`s hard to tell.
Savlon`s Antiseptic cream is a form of topical medication that can be used for minor-wound care and cuts. It helps with the healing process and prevents infections from developing. If there is a scrape or cut on your dog`s skin, you should be able to use this over-the-counter antiseptic cream as a one-off.
Other over-the-counter medications safe to use on canine skin include Neosporin—an antibiotic ointment—and Benadryl cream, a topical pain reliever. “Hydrocortisone cream is usually more effective than Benadryl cream,” says Butzer. “But oral Benadryl can help with reducing inflammation in the affected area.”