11 common skin lesions in dogs [with pictures] and what to do about them (2023)

FAQs

How do you treat skin lesions on a dog? ›

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.

Signs and Symptoms

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) Indications that your dog is in pain, such as a limp.

The most common types of dog skin conditions include contact allergies; bacterial infections; fungal infections, and parasite allergies.

If needed, benign skin lesions can get local treatment with topical medications, such as retinoids, corticosteroids, or antimicrobial agents, as well as laser therapy, cryotherapy, phototherapy, or surgical removal. If the skin lesion is caused by a systemic disease, treatment may also address the underlying cause.

If your pooch got into a scrape, chances are good that you can use a small amount of Neosporin to help prevent infection in the wound. Superficial injuries, such as scrapes, abrasions, and small cuts, may benefit from this trifecta of a topical antibiotic.

Exmarid Skin Ointment has been developed to treat animals with minor wounds, abrasions or broken skin. The antibacterial ointment gently sooths and protects, helping skin become supple and healthy.

Fungal Dermatitis

Symptoms include flaky or crusty skin (particularly around your dog's nails, skin folds, armpits and anal area), intense itchiness, and in some cases ear infections.

It may look like a small area of irritated, red, or ulcerated skin. Alternatively, there could be plaques or crusts that develop over the region. SCC lesions of the toe or nail bed tend to be red, irritated, bothersome, and ulcerated. Dogs may even lose nails on the affected toes.

Basal cell tumors vary in size, from a few centimeters to inches in diameter, and most commonly appear as single, firm, hairless, raised masses in the skin, often on the head, neck, or shoulders. Occasionally, they may be cystic or ulcerate, and some may stick out like stalks from the skin surface.

What does sarcoma look like on a dog? ›

These tumors usually appear as a firm to semi-firm lump in the deep layer of the skin, under the skin or in the musculature. They are often noticed by the owner but are sometimes found by the veterinarian during a routine exam. These lumps are usually non-painful and have normal skin overlying them.

Widespread scabs are often caused by underlying allergies or a dog skin infection. Allergies to fleas, food proteins or environmental allergens (such as pollen) can lead to widespread skin inflammation. When the skin becomes inflamed and damaged, scabs often develop.

You can use hydrocortisone cream on dogs to soothe minor irritations like bug bites and small rashes. Vets often recommend it to treat skin allergies, inflammatory skin diseases, infections such as hot spots, and to help decrease ear inflammation in dogs with severe ear infections, says Butzer.

Fleas are the most commonly known parasite to cause scabs on a dog's back. The feces, saliva, and bites that fleas leave behind can cause severe reactions in some pets. It is essential to maintain a proper anti-flea regime for your pet.

Apple Cider Vinegar For Dog Skin Allergies

ACV can help relieve itchy skin and rashes caused by yeast and poison ivy. The best way to apply it is by making a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply it directly onto itchy spots. Caution: Do NOT put it on open wounds.

Vaseline does not have any antibacterial, soothing or healing properties. If you're in a pinch it won't hurt, but in the long term, there are more beneficial products formulated specifically for dogs that are safer to use.

Clean the Wound

You may want to add a small amount of mild baby shampoo, dish soap or hand soap to the water. Do not use harsh cleaners or apply hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or other caustic cleaning products to your dog's skin as these can be painful or even cause the wound to take longer to heal.

Most skin lesions can be safely left alone. You may want the skin lesion removed for cosmetic reasons or to be reassured that it is not a cancer.

After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

Fluorouracil cream and topical solution are used to treat actinic or solar keratoses (scaly or crusted lesions [skin areas] caused by years of too much exposure to sunlight).

What is a natural antiseptic for dogs? ›

Natural antiseptics include turmeric, coconut oil, aloe vera and witch hazel. For a spicy antiseptic concoction that will also help with inflammation—and prevent licking, because most dogs don't love the smell—mix turmeric from your spice cabinet with aloe vera in a 1:1 ratio and smooth it on the scrape.

Hydrocortisone cream is generally safe for dogs when following a few safety guidelines. Most over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams are safe for dogs as long as it is applied to the skin in small amounts, as well as if it is applied in an area they cannot lick.

Triple Antibiotic Ointment is a combination of three antibiotics for cats and dogs: Bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B. It is used as a first aid for wounds in cats and dogs. A popular dog and cat medication, it is used to treat bacterial infections of minor cuts, burns or scrapes on the skin of the animal.

What should I clean the wound with? Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water.

Bacterial and fungal infections can have your dog feeling itchy, with skin that appears flaky, crusty or moist. Redness, inflammation and odor may also be a problem, not to mention recurring health concerns when it comes to yeast dermatitis or staph infection.

Fortunately, newer anti-fungal agents such as fluconazole and itraconazole are well-tolerated by most dogs and have relatively few side effects compared to the agents being used several years ago. Itraconazole is the preferred drug of treatment for most dogs.

We recommend 4% chlorhexidine, 2% benzoyl peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite (bleach) shampoos to treat bacterial skin infections. Treatments should be repeated initially 2-3 times weekly. Antibacterial conditioning sprays can be used be sprayed on the skin between bathing days.

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) arises in areas of chronic inflammation and can be mistaken for squamous cell carcinoma, leading to unnecessary removal of more tissue.

What does the beginning of squamous cell carcinoma look like? ›

SCCs can appear as scaly red patches, open sores, rough, thickened or wart-like skin, or raised growths with a central depression. At times, SCCs may crust over, itch or bleed. The lesions most commonly arise in sun-exposed areas of the body. SCCs can also occur in other areas of the body, including the genitals.

This BCC could easily be mistaken for an age spot, which is why it's so important to have a dermatologist examine your skin before you treat an age spot. Warning sign: A scar-like mark on your skin that may be white, yellow, or skin-colored and waxy.

These changes in the skin (lesions) usually have one of the following characteristics: A shiny, skin-colored bump that's translucent, meaning you can see a bit through the surface. The bump can look pearly white or pink on white skin. On brown and Black skin, the bump often looks brown or glossy black.

In some people, BCCs resemble noncancerous skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. In people with darker skin, about half of BCCs are pigmented (meaning brown in color).

Most sarcomas start as a lump in the arm or leg. A lump that keeps growing is the most common symptom. Sometimes the lump hurts. When sarcomas start in the belly, they can cause belly pain or changes in the way you eat or go to the bathroom.

A sign of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump or swelling in soft tissue of the body. A sarcoma may appear as a painless lump under the skin, often on an arm or a leg. Sarcomas that begin in the abdomen may not cause signs or symptoms until they get very big.

They look like a bruise but do not lose their colour when pressed, as a bruise does. As they grow, they might start to stick up above the surrounding skin and grow into each other. The lesions might be in different colours such as brown, blue, red or deep purple.

Use an anti-itch and antibiotic spray on the scab once the tissue is moist and soft. Apply a topical ointment to the scabbed surface. With an ointment, the scab will likely slough off on its own. Try to keep the area covered with an ointment after cleansing.

Superficial bacterial folliculitis is a type of bacterial infection that often results in irritation, bumps, sores, and scabs on a dog's skin and commonly co-occurs in dogs suffering from another type of skin disorder, allergies, mange, fleas, or injury.

Can I use Preparation H on my dog? ›

Also, if your pet has really irritated themselves and their rectal area is inflamed and agitated you can always apply some Preparation-H. This should help soothe the area allowing the animal to be more comfortable.

For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe. It will begin to reduce symptoms like skin rashes in about an hour. Getting the dosage right is important because most Benadryl tablets are intended for humans. Some dogs can be quite small, so they need less Benadryl than a person.

Topical: Benadryl also comes in gel or cream form that you can apply directly to your dog's itchy skin. Keep in mind though that irritation can occur after prolonged use.

If your pooch got into a scrape, chances are good that you can use a small amount of Neosporin to help prevent infection in the wound. Superficial injuries, such as scrapes, abrasions, and small cuts, may benefit from this trifecta of a topical antibiotic.

They can be treated with topical lotions, creams, ointments or medications that you take orally that target the specific type of lesion. They may require surgical removal. Secondary lesion as a side effect of a medical condition: Treatment for the underlying medical condition.

Bacterial and fungal infections can have your dog feeling itchy, with skin that appears flaky, crusty or moist. Redness, inflammation and odor may also be a problem, not to mention recurring health concerns when it comes to yeast dermatitis or staph infection.

A large brownish spot with darker speckles. A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds. A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, pink, white, blue or blue-black. A painful lesion that itches or burns.

Do not use harsh cleaners or apply hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, or other caustic cleaning products to your dog's skin as these can be painful or even cause the wound to take longer to heal.

In dogs, Staph infections can look like red bumps/pimples (papules) or pus-filled (pustules), or round areas with a red or dark center and red crusty border. Hair loss occurs and sometimes the hair comes out in clusters resembling a paint brush.

What does fungal dermatitis look like on a dog? ›

Fungal Dermatitis

Symptoms include flaky or crusty skin (particularly around your dog's nails, skin folds, armpits and anal area), intense itchiness, and in some cases ear infections.

Bacterial folliculitis begins as small, flat red circles on your dog's skin called macules. As the condition progresses, the macules become raised bumps called papules. Papules may fill with pus, creating a small white dot in the middle of the raised red circle.