Dog Community

topical antibiotic ok???

Posted : 9/15/2006 11:45:32 AM

Yesterday I was walking Baily and noticed that the hair on his tail looked weird. Took a closer look and realized he has an area the size of a nickel that is raw skin. I have no idea what happened ! That the frustrating part. Anyway, it's not a huge emergency at this point, I called the vet and asked if it was ok to use an OTC topical antibiotic. They said it was not a good idea...just to keep him from licking it. Today it doesn't seem any worse, but I don't like the idea of it just being raw and exposed...especially when he is outside.

Anybody know anything different?

Thanks in advance.

dvet

Posted : 9/15/2006 12:08:45 PM

if this is a couple inches from the base of the tail and on top it is the tailhead sebaceous gland..topicals wont hurt, but probably won;t help...your next vet visit get it looked at because it could be come a problem if the dog keeps licking it...again a thousand mile diagnosis so may not be it

PurplePets22

Posted : 9/15/2006 12:27:28 PM

It's about halfway down the tail on "top". Looks as if a chunk of hair got ripped out by the roots leaving the raw skin behind. No bleeding or pus etc. Just red and raw. He's not licking it excessively but I imagine it's sore.

dvet

Posted : 9/15/2006 3:32:41 PM

thats the tail head sebacious gland...might be good to put a bandage over it to keep him (her?) from licking it or a collar like th

is:

should read collar like this

PurplePets22

Posted : 9/15/2006 5:48:07 PM

I shot a couple pictures. He pretty much ignores it unless I am trying to get a better look and then its obvious that he would prefer I not do that. It's also more on the side not the top. I tried a google search for "tailhead" hoping for an anatomoy chart or something but came up empty.

cakana

Posted : 9/15/2006 6:15:48 PM

Owww, poor guy. My vet has told me it was okay to use topical antibiotics, like Neosporin on cuts and sores. I'm not sure your dog wouldn't just lick it off anyway though. I'm betting it'll heal just fine without it.

dvet

Posted : 9/16/2006 12:18:45 PM

this is too far back for the sebaceous gland..it looks like a local irritation..it will heal if the dog will leave it alone and only then..wrap a heavy towell around the neck and then wrap that with ace bandage or duct tap tight enough to keep the dog from getting at it and possibly wrap the tape rigid so it stands out straingt...one the dog stops working on it it will heal..antibiotics will help but the dog has to leave it alone

PurplePets22

Posted : 9/16/2006 7:56:11 PM

Thanks for the advice. Still wish I knew what happened. He is leaving it alone and it is starting to heal. Not so raw anymore. I'm sure he'll be fine.

poodlemom

Posted : 10/12/2006 5:29:23 PM

i just noticed a red, irritated area on charlee's neck. it looks like it either was nicked during grooming or he was bitten while playing with his brother, dallas. the red area is around the size of a nickel and within it are two tiny scabs. he is not able to lick it, but scratches it quite a bit. can i put bacitracin on it? should i cover it with a gauze bandage? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. i am going to the vet next week for dallas's early physical, so i will definitely bring charlee with me. just wanted to know if there was anything i could or should do before then. or should i bring charlee in to see the vet sooner?

dvet

Posted : 10/12/2006 5:44:03 PM

any irritation or sore that is being licked or scratched will not heal without some out side force..but it you can keep the pup from irritating it most sores, except ring worm or mites will heal if left a long...if you can bandage this or hobble the back legs it just might heal without any form of medication

calliecritturs

Posted : 10/12/2006 11:01:12 PM

How tiny are the scabs? My first thot when you described that was that it sounded like a spider bite (usually a round red spot but with two tiny puncture wounds in the center) -- it will start barely noticable and get worse. Spider bites (if you're in the South you always know spider bite -- brown recluse bites are heck!!) won't heal without antibiotics (oral ones) ... honestly, if it doesn't heal or if you notice any stiffness, or soreness at all in that area I'd have a vet look.

poodlemom

Posted : 10/13/2006 3:59:52 PM

thanks for getting back to me. the scabs are a little larger than the tip of a pencil (one is bigger than the other). i think they may be bites. when the dogs are playing, it seems that they are always going for each other's neck. i have been putting bactoderm on it. i had some in the house that was prescribed by the vet when another pup irritated his muzzle-area by scratching it. the redness doesn't seem any worse and it hasn't slowed charlee down one bite. i am going to the vet next week anyway, so i will bring him along. i was just wondering if i should bring him in sooner. i am going at the end of next week. thanks, this is the best site!!!!