What's this growing, changing sore on my 1-year-old Staffy's neck?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Charlie. I recomend she sees her veterinarian. The lesion could be an infection or a a mass that has developed. Depending on her exam findings, the veterinarian may perform a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate. A small needle is used to collect a sample of cells and evaluate them under the microscope to diagnose the lesion. This will help to guide treatment. In the meantime, you can try bathing her with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner such as an oatmeal or fatty acid based formula. I hope this information helps!

Even though a picture would help to understand better the underlying cause, this presentation could be due to a localized persistent spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

That heavy discharge generally indicates infection. Your pup will heal the fastest if he goes in to see his doctor. The doctor may give him a systemic antibiotic or may only give him topicals if the lesion is very small. Sometimes these pets can be itchy as well and will get medication for that too. You definitely want to make sure that he cannot itch or lick at that area as it will make it worse. The doctor will also shave the hair as it needs to be exposed to the air to dry up. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend taking Sable to the vet to look at the growth closer and find out what it is. The vet can stick a needle in it and look at the cells under a microscope to determine if it’s cancerous or not. Because the tissue/skin is fragile it likely won’t stop bleeding and may need to be surgically removed. I would leave it alone until the vet looks at it so you don’t disrupt the blood clot that forms. Good luck and kisses to Sable!

This appears to be a small crusted area and could be from irritation or a scratch. I would monitor this for the time being and it should fall off on its own if it is a scab. If it worsens or does not resolve, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the area so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

If this just appears to be a crusted area and is not raised, it is possible this was an insect bite that got irritated or a small scratch/wound. If the lesion is raised (I can't really tell from the appearance) then we sometimes get warty skin growths that can get traumatized and bleed/crust over. I would wash the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at most drug stores) and apply a topical antibiotic like Polysporin or Neosporin a few times day. If she is scratching/rubbing at the area she may need an e-collar for a few days to stop self-trauma. If the lesions isn't improving after several days of this or it starts to get larger/other spots appear then these would be reasons to seek veterinary care.

Many things can cause a small wound like this. If it comes and goes it could be a growth that occasionally becomes irritated and / or infected. Of course trauma could be the cause as well. Warm water compresses can be helpful to keep it clean, but if it doesn't resolve completely it should be evaluated for an underlying problem. I hope it heals quickly! Thanks for using Pet Coach!