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A Red Area Found Under Matted Hair on a Dog's Neck

by A reader

Reader Question
When I took off my dog's collar to bathe him, I noticed the left side of his neck was matted. We had just been camping. Under the mat I found a red area, so I shaved it to apply ointment and monitor it. I'm a nurse, so I have ointment for staph and fungal infections. Should I take him to the vet? It's hard with my schedule and money. I just want to make sure this isn't an emergency.


Answer from Our Team

A red patch under matted hair and a collar is most often a hot spot or skin irritation from moisture trapped against the skin, especially after camping and swimming. It's not usually an emergency. A tick bite or a scratch under the mat is also possible.

Keep the area clean and dry, leave the collar off at home, and stop him licking or scratching it. Ask your vet before using human ointments, since some contain ingredients that aren't ideal for dogs, and dogs tend to lick them off.

See your vet if it spreads, oozes, smells, is very painful, or doesn't improve within a few days. Also check his body for ticks after camping.

See skin infections in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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