Abscess On Face

by Deb Hopkins
(South Australia)

What ever is on his face appeared suddenly.....About 2 months ago, a small lump appeared on the edge tip of his ear. It now looks like a wart, and does not appear to bother him, but it is starting to look crusty.

The top of his head is also lumpy and bumpy.The dog has not been in any fights, near speargrass, or sharp objects. Spud is a 5 and half year old English Staffy. Excellent health, he has never had any health issues, and is not on any medication.

Can I aquire Clavolux without seeing a vet, if that is what he needs, and gently clean the area with Dettol, or salt and water, and apply Medi Pulv, an antiseptic powder?

The wound has been like this since it first appeared about 3 days ago.

Suggestion from our Editor on Dog Lumps and Bumps

Hi Deb,

Sorry to hear about the many skin lumps and bumps on your dog.

There are many potential causes of lumps and bumps on dogs, including allergies, infections, cysts, tumors, and more. Without a proper examination, it's impossible to determine the cause of your dog's lumps.

Clavulox is a prescription medication that contains amoxicillin and clavulanic acid and is used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. It's essential to consult a veterinarian before administering any prescription medication to your dog. You cannot buy it over-the-counter.

Additionally, Dettol and saltwater may not be safe or appropriate for cleaning your dog's wound. Certain antiseptics can be toxic to dogs, and some cleaning agents may cause skin irritation or further damage to the wound. The active ingredient in Dettol is Phenol Chloroxylenol, which is poisonous to dogs if ingested orally (by mouth) or transdermally (by skin). It's best to consult a veterinarian on how to clean and treat your dog's wound.

If the lump on your dog's ear is a wart It's important to note that some warts can be indicative of more serious underlying health issues, so it's essential to consult with a veterinarian to properly diagnose and treat the wart on your dog's ear.

Per the above, the best course of action is to see a veterinarian who can make a specific diagnosis for your dog.

Best,

Jeff
Dog Health Guide Editor