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Dog neck sore: Is it a hot spot? How to treat and when to see vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 47 lbs

I noticed this sore on my dogs neck this morning and am not sure if it’s something I should be concerned about, or how to care for it in the meantime to see if it gets better on its own before rushing him to a vet

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on December 22nd, 2020

It looks like it may be a hot spot, someplace where something like an insect bite or small abrasion got irritated, which made it itch. The more he scratches, the more it itches until they cause a sore like this. Keep it clean by washing it with a mild soap and warm water a couple of times a day, making sure to get all the soap residue off to keep from further irritating his skin, and apply some Neosporin ointment or some similar topical medication afterward. If it does not improve significantly in a couple of days, if it gets worse or your dog starts feeling poorly, if anyone else in the house starts itching, pet or person, get him in to your vet as soon as possible as it could be something that requires veterinary care.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 4th, 2016

    An open sore can be a ruptured abscess, ulcerated mass, or just a superficial pyoderma area. It really is hard to say which without seeing it in person. You can try cleansing the area with Betadine diluted 50:50 with warm water and monitoring it daily to see if it heals. If it doesn't heal properly then oral or topical antibiotics are needed from your local vet to help this resolve. Also I would make sure that your pet is on a monthly flea preventative, as this commonly causes "hot spot" areas on the skin in pets.

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