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Pimples on a Young Mastiff's Lips That Became Large and Bloody

by A reader


Reader Question
My 14 month old English Mastiff occasionally develops small pimples. She is on day one of antibiotics for suspected kennel cough. We keep her face and bowls as clean as possible and monitor them. Today two of the 'pimples' have become very, very big and are filled with blood and pus, the larger one had some leaking throughout the day. I am wondering if this actually just an infected pimple or if something more serious is going on (especially with the cough). If it is a pimple gone wrong I assume the antibiotics will help clear the infection?


Answer from Our Team

Small pimples on the lips and chin of young large-breed dogs are usually canine acne. When one swells into a large blood and pus filled bump, it has become a deep infection (furunculosis). The antibiotics for her cough may help, but chin and lip infections often need a medicated wash or a specific antibiotic.

Keep the area clean with a vet-approved antiseptic wipe, don't squeeze them, and use stainless steel or ceramic bowls. If the bumps aren't clearly smaller in 3 to 5 days, or more appear, ask your vet to look. They may take a sample to choose the right treatment.

Go back sooner if her face swells, she has a fever, stops eating, or the cough gets worse.

See pimples and bumps on dogs.

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

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