My dog chewed her tail raw and swollen. Can I use antibiotic ointment?

Question

Puppers has been chewing her tail nonstop lately. She doesn't have fleas (I'm a bit paranoid about them so I check frequently) so I assumed it was hotspots. I checked on the tail this morning and she had it all chewed open and bleeding. Her tail is also swollen. And the vet can't get her in until Friday. Is triple antibiotic ointment ok to put on until she is seen? Is there anything more I can do and is there anything I can do to help her with the pain?

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor pup! It's good that she has a vet appointment scheduled - it sounds like she will probably need oral antibiotics and a steroid or other anti-inflammatory medication to treat the problem. Yes, it should be okay to use triple antibiotic ointment on the area. You can also get a topical hydrocortisone spray labeled for dogs at most pet stores, which you can spray on the area as needed. Bathing in aloe and oatmeal shampoo may also help. Finally, I would suggest getting an e-collar (plastic cone) for her to wear until your vet visit to prevent her from continuing to chew on the area and make it worse.

My dog chewed her tail raw and swollen. Can I use antibiotic ointment?

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