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My dog has a raw patch on his ear. Is it a hotspot? When to see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 5 years and 5 months old | 91 lbs

I noticed this raw patch on the top of my dog's ear today. It doesn't appear to be infected but it's hard to tell. He wasn't trying to scratch it so Idk if it itches him. Not sure if I should take him to the vet or if I can clean it and just keep an eye on it.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 26th, 2018

This looks like it can be a hotspot. I would recommend taking Vader to the veterinarian so they can shave the area, clean it up and provide antibiotics. The original cause cannot always be determined but they are typically caused by allergies. Dogs just make them a lot worse by either scratching, rubbing or licking. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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