What Is An Abscess on a Dog?
Whenever a dog gets a wound, no matter how small, there is always the chance of getting an infection. When bacteria gets in and infects the wound, it may cause an abscess—a collection of foul-smelling puss.
Any infection that is left untreated can cause serious health complications; infections can even be life-threatening. However, in general, abscesses are usually easy to treat. With a trip to the vet, chances are your dog will recover and be as good as new.
How Does a Dog Get an Abscess?
Usually, abscesses come from when the skin is broken and bacteria gets inside the wound. This happens when dogs get bitten, scratched, pricked on a sharp object, or even from insect bites.
Your dog can also get an abscess in his mouth. Chewing on bones, sticks, or any other sharp objects or splinters in his mouth can cause an abscess in the gums, tongue, cheek, or behind the eye. A broken tooth can also cause an abscess.
Anal gland abscesses are also common in dogs. Secretions in the anal sacks promote bacterial growth. If you notice your dog's rectum is red, swollen, or itchy, he may have an anal gland abscess.
Dogs can also get abscesses on internal organs such as the brain, kidney, pancreas, or liver. These are generally harder to detect and may pose a more serious threat to your pet's health. That's why it's so important when your dog appears to be sick to have a qualified veterinarian check him out.
Signs and Symptoms of an Abscess
An abscess on your dog can show the following signs and symptoms:
- A lump on your dog's skin
- An area of skin that's swollen, red, or warm
- Puss or fluid oozing from a wound
- Licking or chewing the infected area
- Hair loss near the infected area
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Pain
- Scooting
How Is an Abscess Treated
Primarily, treatment depends upon where the abscess is. If it's a superficial abscess under the skin, a vet can most likely shave the area, lance the abscess, and drain it right there in the office.
A deeper infection may be more serious and may require surgery. This is why you should not attempt to drain an abscess at home—only a vet will be able to diagnose the extent of the problem. If you don't drain the abscess fully, the infection will persist and may get worse. You also risk your dog getting sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
After the abscess is drained and flushed properly by a vet, home care will probably include keeping the affected area clean and giving your dog antibiotics.
Call Us to Treat Your Dog's Abscess
If you suspect your dog has an abscess, or if your canine companion has been ill, call us for an appointment. We here at The Animal Doctors have been serving patients in Palo Alto for 40 years. Our time-honored experience allows us to provide an excellent standard of care for your pet.
The Animal Doctors are among only 15% of American veterinary clinics accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). This accreditation was achieved by our voluntary commitment to high standards of cleanliness, customer service, and veterinary care.
We have the diagnostic tools and in-house lab needed to diagnose your dog's condition, and our qualified team of experts is ready to treat him to the best of their ability. We service patients in the San Francisco Peninsula, including Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Stanford, and Woodside.
