My dog has a deep cut on his scrotum. Is this an emergency?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Tomy sat in something irritating, it may have lead to him licking and chewing at his scrotum. I would recommend getting a plastic cone and placing this around his head and using an ointment such as Sentry Wound Cream which can be found online or at your local PetCo. If the wound does not improve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Tomy so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

It doesn't appear deep. If there is no active bleeding, clean it up with a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. I see you have a triple antibiotic ointment. You can dab a bit on the area. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent pawing or rubbing. Monitor for lethargy, fever, bleeding, swelling, discharge or loss of appetite. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

Poor Ben! You should keep the ecollar on as a deterrent to lo licking, keep the area as clean and dry as possible and you can try warm compressing the area. Do not give human medication as it can be very toxic. You should continue with your plan to see his veterinarian tomorrow.

Due to the area I would highly encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian. Dog bites almost always need antibiotics, as well as if it heals abnormally I worry that it could cause frequent urine scald issues. Stitches would probably be warranted. Best of luck and I hope she heals soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It's a bit difficult to tell from these pictures, but it does appear deep and wide enough that it will need stitches. It's best to take him to a vet soon, because the wound will heal better the sooner it is cleaned and stitched. For now, you can flush the wound using a syringe or other dispensing device with warm water for five minutes. This may not be easy, because dogs tend to hate water getting near their face. I recommend having someone help you with holding Wish to make sure the wound gets flushed well. Infection is the biggest concern with these wounds; so after flushing, it's best to apply an antibacterial cream to the wound. Your vet will be able to advise further treatment after evaluating it. I hope that helps and Wish gets better soon.

If the wound is deep, ideally, your dog should be physically examined by a veterinarian. Sutures (stitches) may be needed to close the cut. If it is superficial, you may be able to manage it at home. I suggest carefully trimming (use clippers, not scissors) the hair away and cleaning the area gently with a diluted Betadine, chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or similar [antibacterial solution](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetericyn-plus-wound-and-skin-care-for-dogs). Dry thoroughly afterwards. A dab of a triple antibiotic ointment can be applied to a minor wound. Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on your dog to prevent licking. If the wound shows no signs of healing after a few days, consider an exam with your veterinarian. Monitor for lethargy,[ fever](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-signs-your-pet-has-a-fever), [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/), [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/diarrhea-1/) or loss of appetite. Check the wound daily for redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge. These are all symptoms that warrant a visit to the veterinary clinic. In the future, it is always best and safest to have an [experienced groomer](https://www.petcoach.co/article/heres-why-you-need-a-professional-groomer) or your veterinarian remove any burs or matting from your dog.

Place an [e-collar](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/well-and-good-e-collar) (cone) on him right away to prevent further licking or scratching. If the wound is superficial, I suggest gently cleansing the area with a diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution. Applying a warm washcloth 2-3 times a day for five minutes at a time may provide some relief from itching and discomfort. Afterwards, dry the area throughly. If there is no sign of improvement in a few days or if your dog develops a fever, loses his appetite, start [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-in-dogs) and/or having [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-in-dogs) then have him physically examined by your veterinarian right away. Additional symptoms that should also be addressed by your veterinarian include redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding.