Sudden Wound and Rash on an Elderly Dog's Belly
by Tam
(Berkeley Springs, WV)
Reader Question
I awoke yesterday to notice my 17yr old Aussie Shep/ Rott. mix with a small hole/ wound( about the size of a dime) on her lower belly accompanied by a red patchy rash a few inches below. It was slightly bleeding however after cleaning the wound and appling Calendula Ointment the bleeding has stopped for the most part. I attemped to bandage the wound w/ no luck( it keeps falling off).This condition is obviously painful for her.Her skin is loose and appears to be thin in that area.
I am concerned because not only did it appear out of nowhere this is about a month after her being diagnost w/Kidney failure and Lyme. She was taken to the Vet initially for possible Hygroma on her left elbow. Which is next to impossible to heal completely.
Since her Vet visit her mobility has gotten much worse she does however still have a healthy appetite.
Fyi, she is overweight due to her age/lack of mobility. She has lost most of her muscle mass on her belly.
Does any of coincide with one another or is my girl just getting old and experiencing elderly issues.
Should I be concerned and take her immediatly to the Vet?
Thanks in advance for any advise given.
I am concerned because not only did it appear out of nowhere this is about a month after her being diagnost w/Kidney failure and Lyme. She was taken to the Vet initially for possible Hygroma on her left elbow. Which is next to impossible to heal completely.
Since her Vet visit her mobility has gotten much worse she does however still have a healthy appetite.
Fyi, she is overweight due to her age/lack of mobility. She has lost most of her muscle mass on her belly.
Does any of coincide with one another or is my girl just getting old and experiencing elderly issues.
Should I be concerned and take her immediatly to the Vet?
Thanks in advance for any advise given.
Answer from Our Team
In a 17-year-old dog with thin skin, poor mobility and kidney disease, a sudden wound can be a tear in fragile skin, a burst abscess or cyst, or a skin growth. The nearby rash may be irritation, urine scald or infection.
Yes, please have her seen soon. Your vet can treat the wound, check for infection, and suggest padded bedding to protect her elbows and other pressure points.
See skin rashes in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Dog Skin Rash.
