Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog's leg has a red, oozing spot with pus. Is it infected?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male

Sir/Madam, My German shepherd (3yrs old) has some spots (on leg)having dark in colour and fluid is oozing out.(I think it is puss). Around the spot the skin is red in colour. Can you help me ?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 25th, 2019

Poor guy. You can clean this area with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water for now. This will help reduce some of the bacteria and help with some of the irritation/redness. I would not recommend any topical ointments on this area however. However, organic honey can be placed in small amounts on wounds like this However, if there is pus as you say, the infection is dep under the skin and requires oral antibiotics to treat effectively. Therefore, it is best to schedule an appt with your vet soon for further care/treatment. I hope that your fur baby Chicku is able to resolve this deep skin infection soon. Best wishes and take care.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 3rd, 2019

    Thank you for submitting tour question regarding Nella. If you are seeing pus and the area is getting bigger, I am concerned that she has an infection. It could on the skin or even under the skin such as an abscess. I would contact her veterinarian as oral antibiotics may be needed now. I hope this information helps!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
A skin legion appeared on my dogs leg. It’s round, raised, a red and yellow pus. Dog seems normal behavior wise. We were just playing outside.
Poor Zeus! The presence of pus suggests that this skin lesion is infected, and he should see a vet for it. An infected wound requires antibiotics to treat it, which the vet can prescribe. I would have him seen by a vet in the morning for this. Tonight, clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap, and keep him from licking at it. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Pookie has a sore/ wound on his upper lateral thigh - appeared yesterday - no known trauma. He had a flea bath and preventative medication applied about a week ago. I cut back his hair to get a better picture - doesn’t seem too painful when be
From the pictures, the skin appears red and inflamed. It does look like it is infected. While this may not be a true emergency, I would recommend getting in to see your veterinarian very soon. Pookie will need the area shaved and cleaned up. Your vet may prescribe an antibiotic for this as well depending. Until you can get to your vet, you can keep the area clean and dry and use a mild soap and water to clean the wound. If Pookie is licking it, you can put on ECollar on her to prevent licking.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a sign of infection with pus. since there is lack of vet. Centre around, Please suggests an effective medication which i can do as home remedy and which i can get in vet. Pharmacies
This presentation could be due to a localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and eventually antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid licking. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found this raw round circle on my dog's hind leg tonight. He has been acting normal in personality and appetite. It looks like maybe there is a small puss pocket with a black speck in the middle.
I would worry that is a precious bite wound from a spider or something or a tumor or cyst that is infected and has a necrotic center. Try to stop in from licking it and clean it with soap and water to rinse the pus off. You can place neosporin to help prevent bacteria and dirt from getting inside. This will buy you time to get to your vet for further testing to see if surgery is needed or just antibiotics
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My dog has red lesion on his leg just below his groin area. He is very playful and have another dog who he is always playaong with so he could have sustained this injury without me noticing- he isn’t licking it and it does not seem to be annoying h
It looks like he has a hot spot. Since it is so red and inflamed, it would be a good idea to take him to a vet for treatment. He may need an antibiotic, anti-histamine, corticosteroid, or other medications to treat the problem. You could also clean the area with a wound wash and apply Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hydrogel Spray to the area and see if that helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I noticed yesterday that my dog was licking a spot on the top of his back leg yesterday, but he wouldnt let me go near him. I have looked again today, and it looks like a sore or burn? It looks like it was a bit pussy, but isnt oozing. I've trimmed t
This looks like an area of infection, commonly referred to as moist dermatitis or a ‘hot spot’. This usually occurs because a dog will itch excessively at an area causing a breakdown in the skin barrier and this leads to infection. Since the spot is still fairly small you can try treating it at home by cleaning it with some dilute hydrogen peroxide and applying some triple antibiotic ointment to the wound. If the itch persists or the area does not clear up then I would recommend taking Peeps in to the vet to be examined. Sometimes these cases need oral antibiotics to help them clear up. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My whippet got this cut on his back leg. The swelling had pus in it and now it has split into a second cut. Can you tell me what could cause this? I'm not sure how he got the first cut
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics or antifungal meds (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog just recently developed this red scabbed patch on his leg. It's right above his carpal pad about a quarter in size. It hasn't changed much at all since we first noticed it a few days ago. Any ideas on what it could be and if he needs to be tak
This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog had a raw patch on his right shoulder area, now the patch has become very crusty and there is also some puss and he also has little red spots on his belly.
It looks like your dog has a skin infection so he should be examined and treated by a vet. He, likely, needs an oral antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory that your vet can prescribe. If the meantime, you can bathe him with a medicated shampoo, like Douxo Chlorhexidine. You could also spray the lesion with Vetericyn wound and skin care spray.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Wondering what this could be and how I should handle it. I just noticed it today
It is hard to tell from the picture, but is there a discharge or an actual opening to the area. If there is then you can keep it clean with mild soap and water until you can get to the vet as it may need antibiotics from being infected. If the area is just red with no breaks in the skin, then I would rotate Neosporin with cortisone cream to apply topically to help it heal. If it spreads or changes, then I would get it checked by your vet. It may be from bug bite or getting scratched out side.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored