Dog Abscesses: Symptoms and Treatment
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A dog abscess is a pocket of inflammation surrounded by tissue and filled with material such as white blood cells, dead tissue, and sometimes bacteria. Abscesses can develop in several areas, including the teeth, skin, and anal sacs.
Treatment depends on the location and cause and may include draining the abscess, removing the source of infection, antibiotics, pain medication, or warm compresses.
Key Takeaways
- A dog abscess is a pocket of inflammation that may contain white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria.
- Common locations include the teeth, skin, anal sacs, and infected neoplastic masses.
- Symptoms depend on the location but may include pain, swelling, warmth, drainage, changes in eating, limping, or scooting.
- Treatment may include draining the abscess, removing the source of infection, antibiotics, pain medication, and warm compresses.
What Is a Dog Abscess?
A dog abscess is a pocket of inflammation that typically has a “wall” of tissue surrounding it. The center is filled with either thick liquid or solid material consisting of white blood cells, dead tissue, and sometimes bacteria.
There are four common locations for abscesses in dogs.
Dental Abscesses
In a dental abscess, there is an infection involving the root of a tooth. The bony socket surrounding the affected root is usually eaten away by the infection, and the surrounding gum is inflamed.
Skin Abscesses
Trauma from a bite, a splinter, or something sharp your dog has stepped on can insert bacteria and other foreign debris under the skin.
As the wound heals, it may seal up quickly, trapping bacteria and/or debris and leading to the formation of a fluid-filled, inflamed, painful lump.
Hot Spots
A hot spot (acute moist dermatitis) is a type of abscess that forms on the surface of the skin, commonly because of skin allergies.
The area becomes itchy, and the dog traumatizes it by chewing or licking excessively. The skin can become infected with bacteria and/or yeast.
Anal Sac Abscesses
There are internal sacs on either side of the anus that normally contain fluid that is emptied when a dog has a bowel movement.
If the fluid becomes too thick to drain properly, the anal sac is not emptied. The fluid continues to accumulate, and the sac becomes inflamed.
Infected Neoplastic Masses
A cancerous mass can become abscessed if it outgrows its blood supply. Sometimes the mass will be unchanged for an extended period and then suddenly become painful and inflamed.
What Are the Symptoms of a Dog Abscess?
Symptoms of a dog abscess depend on its location but may include pain, swelling, warmth, changes in eating, limping, excessive licking, scooting, or drainage.
Dental Abscess Symptoms
Dental abscesses are painful and may also be associated with an odor or drool, which can sometimes be blood-tinged.
A dog with a dental abscess may not eat normally and may prefer soft food over hard food or treats. Avid chewers may stop chewing toys and bones they once enjoyed. There may also be facial swelling in the region of the affected tooth.
Skin Abscess Symptoms
Skin abscesses are painful, warm lumps that may be soft or firm.
If the abscess is on a paw or leg, you may notice your dog limping. Your dog may also cry out or wince if you touch the abscess site.
Anal Sac Abscess Symptoms
Pain from an anal sac abscess may cause a dog to lick excessively under the tail, scoot on the floor, or strain to have a bowel movement.
If the anal sac has ruptured through the skin, you may notice drainage from the site.
What Causes Abscesses in Dogs?
The cause of a dog abscess depends on its location.
Causes of Dental Abscesses
- Dental disease, including tartar accumulation and gingival inflammation
- A fractured (broken) tooth, with bacteria invading the pulp cavity
- Foreign material stuck in the mouth, such as bone pieces, sticks, metal, plant material, or hair
Causes of Skin Abscesses
- Penetrating trauma, such as bite wounds or stepping on a foreign object
- Excessive licking or chewing due to skin allergies
Causes of Anal Sac Abscesses
- Thick anal sac material blocking the duct (tube) through which the anal sac empties
How Is a Dog Abscess Diagnosed?
A dog abscess is typically identified during a physical examination. If a firm lump is found, your veterinarian may perform a fine needle aspirate to collect cells for microscopic evaluation.
If the abscess does not respond to initial treatment, culture and antibiotic testing may also be performed.
Fine Needle Aspirate
A fine needle aspirate involves inserting a needle into the mass to collect cells. The sample is then evaluated under a microscope to determine what types of cells are present.
Abscess samples contain many white blood cells, and bacteria or fungal organisms may also be seen.
Culture and Antibiotic Testing
If an abscess does not respond to initial treatment, fluid or material from the site can be cultured to grow the bacteria involved.
Antibiotics can then be tested to determine which will be most effective. Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can be found in dogs, just as in humans.
How Is a Dog Abscess Treated?
Treatment for a dog abscess depends on the diagnosis and may include opening and draining the abscess, removing the source of infection, antibiotics, pain medication, and warm compresses.
Draining the Abscess and Treating the Cause
One treatment option includes opening and draining the site and removing the source of infection.
This may involve extraction of an abscessed tooth, removal of foreign material stuck under the skin, or flushing the anal sac duct to reopen it.
Anesthesia and Sedation
Simple skin abscesses may be treated under local anesthesia, depending on the location. Complicated sites, especially the face, or more involved cases, such as dental or large abscesses, may be treated under general anesthesia.
For hot spots, trimming away the hair can often be done without anesthesia. However, some hot spots are very painful, and the dog may benefit from sedation for clipping and cleaning the site.
Antibiotics and Pain Medication
Oral antibiotics are often administered to a dog with an abscess. Pain medication, including an anti-inflammatory medication, is also important.
Warm Compresses
Warm compresses applied to a painful, inflamed site help enhance blood flow and clean the area. This is frequently recommended for pet parents to do at home for several days.
Recovery and Management of Abscesses in Dogs
Once the cause of a dog abscess is addressed and appropriate treatment begins, the abscess usually starts to resolve within two to three days, and your dog should start feeling better quickly.
Follow-Up Care
Your veterinarian will likely want to recheck your dog one to two weeks into treatment to see how the abscess site looks.
Long-Term Management
Long-term management depends on the type of abscess. Your veterinarian may recommend:
- Future dental care for a dental abscess
- Routine anal sac expression for an anal sac abscess
- Skin allergy management for hot spots
Abscesses in Dogs FAQs
Can an abscess be fatal for a dog?
External abscesses are not usually fatal. Internal abscesses, such as those inside the chest or abdomen, are more likely to be.
Is a dog abscess an emergency?
External abscesses do not usually need to be seen on an emergency basis.
Will a dog abscess heal on its own?
Small skin abscesses may break open, drain, and heal on their own. However, it's best to have a veterinarian examine the area to determine whether there is an underlying cause that needs to be addressed.
Can an abscess spread?
An abscess may get larger over time, but it does not usually spread to another area of the body.
Are abscesses painful for dogs?
Yes. Dental, skin, and anal sac abscesses can be painful for dogs.
What does a dog abscess look like?
A skin abscess may look or feel like a painful, warm lump that can be soft or firm. A dental abscess may cause facial swelling, while a ruptured anal sac abscess may have drainage from the site.
