Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog has red, bleeding chin bumps. Is it an emergency vet visit?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 1 month old | 16 lbs

My dog has red, bleeding bumps on his chin for 24 hours, with worsening. What is this, and how soon do I need to bring him in? (I'm trying for tomorrow, but I want to know if it's urgent enough to go to an emergency vet if nothing else is available.) Photo attached.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on November 22nd, 2020

Hi and thanks for your request. This is likely to be due to a superficial skin infection likely to be caused by bacterial infection. It is not urgent. 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 twice daily. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any scratching (if any).

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on May 6th, 2020

    It may be generalized skin infection. Whether it is bacterial, fungal or parasites cannot be determined without a physical exam. Ideally, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian. Antibiotics at the very least, may be indicated for his chin. Given current events, you may need to drop him off at the clinic then wait for the vet to call you to discuss exam findings and treatment options. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent excessive licking or chewing. Keep his chin clean and dry. You can use a plain baby wipe or pet wipe to clean it. If you are using plastic food or water bowls, consider switching to stainless steel or sealed ceramic. Plastics can harbor bacteria which can promote infection. Treat him monthly with a topical or oral preventive to rule out fleas.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 17th, 2016

    It sounds like he has a bacterial skin infection and may need an oral antibiotic. Have your vet take a look at him to determine the best way to treat. Your Vet can prescribe an antibiotic and a corticosteroid, if needed, to treat.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
These bumps appeared under my dogs mouth as of yesterday what can they be ?
Hi and thanks for your request. This looks like chin acne, a deep bacterial infection quite commonly seen in these cases. Please provide some disinfection with hibiscrub solution twice daily 1:10 diluted with water and use a buster collar to avoid any scratching/rubbing. If no improvement is seen in a week time a check up will be required as antibiotics may be needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dogs skin below chin is peeling off. It started off as bumps but know pieces of his skin re peeling off in chunks. WhT could be causing this?
Although a picture of it would help to determine the underlying cause more specifically, 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 scratching. 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
Found a small raised red bumo under dogs chin near neck. Nothing but blood comes out. It looks to be a wart or possibly a histiocytoma since he's roughly 6 months old
There are several types of lumps we can see in young dogs. Certainly a histiocytoma is possible but other growths or even infection in a skin gland or hair follicle could also look similar and bleed. I recommend cleaning the lump with a gentle antiseptic cleaner and if it is still bleeding or getting larger in the next 24 hours, have your veterinarian evaluate it. Howl may need a minor type of test called a fine needle aspirate to help determine what type of cells are involved.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 7 year old Black lab. He randomly had these small callus like bumps under his chin. And was scratching them. They started to bleed. Then stopped. We have been putting antibiotic ointment on it. Now it had become two bumps and they are gettig
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Ruger. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. His skin appears to be infected. If so, he will likely medication such as antibiotics to help it heal. A topical cleansing solution may be prescribed as well. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him if he is scratching his chin. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Our two huskies/pit mix are multiple pink bumps appear around there mug (the chin mostly) The e middle picture is his right side, and the last photo is the left side. Our other dog only has one small spot that has it but it's starting to swell. His i
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Kovu! Possible causes are a deep bacterial skin infection (deep pyoderma), demodex (non-contagious mite) and Juvenile Cellulitus (puppy strangles). I recommend you take the to the Vet. Consider having a skin scrape done to check for mites or prophylactically put them on Nexgard or Bravecto (get demodex mites as well as fleas and ticks) and start them on an antibiotic. They usually need to be on antibiotics for several weeks. I would also change their food bowls to metal if they are plastic. Puppy strangles is an immune condition that requires high doses of steroids. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found a dried blood on my pug's head which has made the fur thick in that area. After washing it I can see that skin at that region has become light pink. Looking under light, it also appears to be a little wet. He do scratch this area aggressively
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 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/scratching. It is not an emergency but it may possibly get worse during the next 24-48hours, especially if he keeps scratching. 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
Some sort of wound under chin and legs. Not very painful..plz help
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 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/scratching. 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
Winston has a cluster of bumps under his chin. They are hard as if they were filled with water. Does not seem to bother him. I just want to make sure it's nothing I have to rush to the ER for.
The most likely reasons that we will see swellings like that on the chin of a dog would be a bacterial infection or an allergic reaction. If the area is becoming more swollen, then I would worry that it is an allergic reaction and would recommend having Winston examined tonight. We commonly see localized swelling from a potential allergic reaction that may only involve one area, but always worry about swelling on the face. If he vomits, is lethargic, or appears to have any trouble swallowing or breathing, it is an emergency and he needs to see a veterinarian immediately. If the area stays the same and does not appear to bother him, then it may be an infection or a mild reaction and your veterinarian should evaluate it to decide on the best treatment plan. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My dog had a pimple on his back which the vet popped and it went down. Now he has a lump in that Same area it is oozing blood and hard for me to see as parts have dried with his hair. I'm going to bring him back to the vet but i wanted to know
First of all you are going to be ok as blood does not carry any infection that can be transmitted to you. Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause better, this presentation could be due to a trauma (previous manipulation) 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has red under his chin which he's been scratching alot and it looks irritated and blood is coming through. I wonder what it is and what I can do to help it
It sounds like he has a bacterial skin infection and may need an oral antibiotic. Have your vet take a look at him to determine the best way to treat. Your Vet can prescribe an antibiotic and a corticosteroid, if needed, to treat.
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