Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a widening, bleeding wound with a hole. Is it contagious?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | 25 lbs

My dogs has a wound that's been getting wider and wider everyday. At first it bled so much then a hole in her skin shows. But im observing it and I'm nervous that it can be contagious to other dogs or to humans? Can you tell me how to cure this? Can you determine what is this type of skin disease? Please help us. Thank you.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on September 14, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Princess!

I am very concerned about the area. You didn't indicate how long it has been present or how old Princess is. Possible causes for the skin condition are: cancer (my biggest worry here), a severely infected wound from being hit by a car or bitten by another animal. As for contagious to humans, if Princess hasn't had or is not up to date on her Rabies and that is from a bit wound then Rabies is contagious to people and is deadly. I am from the US and there could be contagious things that I do not know about in the Phillipines. But it is possible.

Princess needs to see a Veterinarian as soon as possible to discuss if this is fixable and how to discuss her quality of life. I recommend an Elizabethan collar to prevent her from licking the area.

I wish you and Princess the best!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a painful open wound on her face. Could it be infected?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Bree and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. I agree, that sore looks very painful and sore, and I'm concerned it could be infected. This should not be treated at home. I would take her into a vet immediately to get this treated. If it is infected, the vet can prescribe antibiotics. Please take her into a vet now. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog's snout wound looks infected. Could it be contagious to others?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. There are no pictures uploaded with your question so I can't see, however if there was a puncture wound and it was from another animal then antibiotics are usually required as they usually become infected. Any swelling and 'squishyness' (a pocket of fluid under the skin) is a sign of infection as well as any pus (yellow/green/cream discharge). If these are present I would recommend having Onyx seen by a vet as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are probably needed. Best of luck with Onyx.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog has an open, bleeding sore with pus from licking. What's wrong?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could be just an infection though I am suspicious that there is a growth underneath causing this. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. This is severe and no home remedies are expected to improve this. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23, 2025

What are these spreading skin wounds on my cat? Are they contagious?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor kittens! Until you get a diagnosis from your Vet I can't answer you on if it is transmittable ti humans. You may also have different diseases in your country than we do in the US. Possible causes of the skin condition are: fleas (people can get bitten), allergies to food or environment (not contagious), demodex (mites not contagious to people) or ring worm which is a fungal skin infection (is contagious to people). Fleas are easy to fix. Allergies are frustrating and can take a while to find the medication and food that works. Demedex is relatively easy to fix. Ring worm can take a long time and oral medications and lyme sulfur dips. I hope this helps and your Vet will be able to get you the diagnosis. I wish you and the kittens the best!

Updated on September 23, 2025

My dog has a weeping, recurring skin wound. When should I see a vet?

Ouch! Poor Bess! This area looks pretty infected and if she had one last week my suspicion is she had allergies or some other cause leading to these areas of bacterial dermatitis (hot spots). You can try to clip some of the hair away from the area and gently clean it but I think Bess will probably need to see a veterinarian to get oral antibiotics. I don't think she has to be seen right this instant but you should try to schedule within the next day or so. Use an e-collar to prevent her from licking the area and making the issue worse. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Bess' skin recovers quickly!

Updated on September 23, 2025

Why does my dog have a severely infected wound and what should I do?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is impossible to tell from the picture how this happened, or how deep it is, but what can be determined is that it is a severely infected wound. Possible causes are penetrating traumas (sticks, bites, etc.), some parasites/worms can cause wounds like this, and some tumors can present in abnormal ways, however that is less likely. I strongly recommend that you have Star seen by a vet as soon as possible, as the wound appears deep and is definitely infected. It needs to be cleaned up, explored, and medications provided. Best of luck with Star, I hope she feels better soon!

Updated on September 23, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has red splotches, bleeding gums, and a growing tumor. Is it serious?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Coco! I am very worried about Coco. The most common cause for bruising of the skin and gum bleeding are low platelets. This can be caused by loss, destruction or the body stopped making platelets. Common causes of destruction is immune, infectious (tick borne), secondary to medications, recent vaccination or even cancer. I recommend that Coco be seen immediately and have blood work done. Low platelets are treated with immunosuppressive doses of steroids and doxycycline. Animals with low platelets can become anemic which is life threatening. I wish you the best!

Updated on September 23, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share