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My dog has a sticky, pus-like patch of hair. Is it a hot spot?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Male | unneutered | 9 months and 30 days old | 20 lbs

I have just noticed that my 10 months old pug had a dry stuck together patch of hair and now it is still sticky with a white/yellow liquid which looks like pus, what should I do

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Susan England-Foster

Veterinarian

Published on June 22nd, 2017

Hey! I would recommend either taking to a veterinarian or clipping the hair. It looks like what we refer to as a hot spot or moist pyoderma. This is a superficial skin infection. You can try medicated shampoos but might need antibiotics from a vet. Most of the time this happens due to an allergy and itchy skin.

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    This area looks like either a puncture wound or a hot spot. I would suggest taking Albus to your vet to have this area shaved properly (without hurting the pet or worsening the skin underneath), cleansed (typically either Betadine diluted 50:50 or Chlorhexidine 3% solution diluted) and then placed on oral antibiotics to get this to heal. I would not apply anything topical (especially no Neosporin) to this area, especially if there is a puncture wound seen underneath, once the hair is shaved. You can cleanse it with the solutions named above if you cannot get him in to a vet right away. Then leave the rest of this wound management up to your vet so that this heals completely. Best wishes with your pet Albus and I hope you get this resolved soon. Take care.

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Albus! This skin lesion looks most suspicious for a bacterial skin infection or hot spot (acute moist dermatitis), but could also be related to ringworm or mange. Ideally, Albus will need to go to his vet for evaluation, but until you can take him to the vet, you can try clipping the sticky patch of hair and cleaning the skin with an antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine or betadine). If he is licking or scratching at his skin, put an e-collar (cone) on Albus to prevent further damage to the skin. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

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