Is this a bite or reaction? (vet, prescription, skin, diet)

[ColbyInFallston]

My dog Colby since I've had him (7 yrs) every summer gets hot spots and starts scratching which makes it worse leading to alot of irritation. I take him to the vet every year and we have ruled out food allergies and fleas.

I don't know what's going on now, though...it's not the right time of year for this and while putting his medicine on his skin I noticed this bump (picture attached) I can't tell if something bit him or if this is some kind of reaction to something else.

Diet and everything at home hasn't changed.

Our vet is on holiday (yes she is British ) until after the New Year. I don't if this would be considered emergent enough to take him to a different vet in the meantime.

Thanks for your help!

Laura

[Tuck's Dad]

Could be mites, and a reaction to them. The bump looks like a festering spider or scorpion bite/sting (could be some other local biting/stinging insect too).


Those would be my two Google search start points until I could get the dog to a vet.

[ColbyInFallston]

Thanks for your suggestions!

[JanND]

looks like a skin infection....might need prescription antibiotic and topical cream for relief. If u have some I'd put it on and schedule vet appt.

[cheesenugget]

Originally Posted by ColbyInFallston

My dog Colby since I've had him (7 yrs) every summer gets hot spots and starts scratching which makes it worse leading to alot of irritation. I take him to the vet every year and we have ruled out food allergies and fleas.

I don't know what's going on now, though...it's not the right time of year for this and while putting his medicine on his skin I noticed this bump (picture attached) I can't tell if something bit him or if this is some kind of reaction to something else.

Diet and everything at home hasn't changed.

Our vet is on holiday (yes she is British ) until after the New Year. I don't if this would be considered emergent enough to take him to a different vet in the meantime.

Thanks for your help!

Laura

Unless your dog start to show signs of lethargy, vomiting, etc... it's not urgent. Bumps and hot spots on dogs, especially those getting older, are common. If the bump grows, take your dog to a vet for biopsy, even if he seems fine. If it remains the same size, no lethargy, you should be fine until after new years.