Abscesses (Infected Wounds)
Introduction
Abscess in Dogs Guide: Veterinarian reviewed information about Abscesses in dogs. Get started and learn what an Abscess is, including how it affects your dog, and what options may be available to manage Abscesses in Dogs.
Read More >
Definition of an Abscess
An abscess is a localized pocket of pus that is formed by the breakdown and disintegration of living tissue. Dog owners most commonly notice abscesses on or just under the outermost layer of their pet’s skin, called the “epidermis.” Skin abscesses are commonly associated with scratches, bites or puncture wounds caused by thorns, burrs, splinters, sticks or other penetrating objects, which provide a perfect environment for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow.
Some breeds, such as the Shar-Pei, English Bulldog and Labrador Retriever, are predisposed to developing abscesses between their toes, because their short, stiff hair shafts can get pushed back into the hair follicles, which become infected. Abscesses associated with ingrown hairs can be extremely painful. Pimples, boils, pustules and furuncles are all examples of small external abscesses. Larger intact abscesses feel like fluid under pressure to the touch, which is exactly what they are. Many times, abscesses will rupture and drain on their own. Other times, they need to be opened up (lanced) and drained by a veterinarian.
Not all abscesses are on or in the skin. They also quite often develop inside of a dog’s body, such as in the chest cavity (heart, lungs), abdominal organs (liver, pancreas, stomach), prostate and mammary glands and anal sacs.
Most abscesses are caused by the invasion of tissue by bacteria. Occasionally, they are caused by fungal or protozoal microorganisms, or even by parasitic worms, known as helminthes. One of the most common ways that dogs develop skin abscesses is when bacteria get inoculated into a bite wound, scratch, cut or other surface abrasion. The bacteria multiply inside the wound, forming a pus-filled localized cavity. Pus is a protein-rich by-product of inflammation, infection and bacterial
How an abscess will affect a dog depends largely on its location and size. Large internal abscesses can put pressure on nearby organs and tissues and can be extremely painful. However, even small or superficial skin abscesses can hurt a great deal, as anyone who has ever had an infected pimple can attest to. Dogs with skin abscesses often lick and chew at the affected area, which can exacerbate the pain and infection and cause
Many skin abscesses are easy to see, especially once they rupture and start to drain. They can be harder to detect in long-haired, heavily-coated breeds. Superficial abscesses are usually walled-off and feel firm but somewhat squishy, at least before they rupture. Internal abscesses, such as those affecting the pancreas, lungs, liver or other organs, cannot be diagnosed without more advanced techniques. Most veterinarians presented with a dog with a visible abscess or draining tract will
Most external skin abscesses, such as those from dog or cat bites, penetrating foreign bodies, puncture wounds or other abrasions, can be treated successfully on an outpatient basis. Only in very severe cases will in-patient hospitalization be necessary, such as in severe cases of mammary gland abscessation. The overriding goals of treating abscesses are to clear up the infection and remove any identified objects that may have caused or contributed to the wound and infection