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My dog is scratching raw, smells bad. Is it a skin infection?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | 60 lbs

My dog has been itchy and has made himself bleed from scratching to much..My question is my dog stinks and looks like he has an infection on his neck and face and on his legs what can I give him for all the itching and scratching. He cries at night cause he wants to scratch and we dnt let him.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on December 14th, 2019

If the area is inflamed enough to the point that it smells and is oozing debris, it is very likely an infection like you suspect. This needs to be seen and treated by a veterinarian as antibiotics or other medicated prescriptions shampoos will need to be used to treat it. Until you can get to your vet, keeping the area clean and dry and using an Elizabethan (cone) collar to keep Shadow from scratching can help, but it needs to be seen in person.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 25th, 2017

    It looks like the itching has caused damage which has become infected. Prescription antibiotics and antinflammatory medications from your vet are required. I would also recommend skin scrapes to rule out parasitic causes and medicated washes and an omega fatty acids supplement to promote repair of the skin also

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