What to Do for a Dog with an Antibiotic-Resistant Skin Abscess and Lesion

While antibiotics remain a primary mode of treatment for dogs suffering from lesions, abscesses or other skin-related infections, pet owners can also treat the wounds through other means. In severe cases where the infection cannot drain from the wound, a veterinarian may need to perform surgery while the dog is under anesthesia to remove the infection. Take the dog to a veterinarian immediately for a professional opinion on how to best care for any wounds that surface.

  1. Cleaning through Professional Products

    • Infections can worsen if owners do not clean a pet's wounds or provide any other treatment. A veterinarian or pet supply store may provide you with a wound antiseptic. Follow the product's instructions. Generally, owners can use these products twice a day to gently cleanse the wound. Ask a veterinarian about continued use of a wound cleaner if the lesion or abscess no longer has discharge. Alternatively, owners can mix a teaspoon of Epsom salt with a cup of hot water. Soak a cloth into the mixture and apply it to the dog's wound for a few minutes at a time, three times daily.

    Lesion Treatment

    • The location of the lesions that appear on a dog's body matter: the location can indicate the underlying cause for the lesion, such as a disease. Take note of your animal's age, previous medical history and medications used, other behavioral and physical symptoms and the location of all lesions. This information can help a veterinarian rule out possible underlying causes of lesions. Depending on the location of the lesions, a veterinarian may prescribe a medicated shampoo to use to help the lesion heal.

    Other Antibiotic Treatments

    • Although a dog may prove resistant to one course of antibiotic treatment, another antibiotic may help heal the abscess or lesion. Ask the veterinarian about other antibiotic treatments that can be used to treat your dog. A culture and sensitivity test may be performed to help the veterinarian determine which antibiotic would work best for your dog's wound if a first course of antibiotic treatment failed. Follow the veterinarian's instructions on when to administer all antibiotics for the most effective treatment.

    Protecting Lesions and Abscesses

    • Some animals may aggravate any lesions or abscesses that appear, making for a complicated treatment process. Bandages to cover the wounds can encourage healing. Animals should avoid swimming while healing from a wound. Ask a veterinarian about steroids and antihistamines, which can help reduce the animal's pain and inflammation from abscesses or lesions. Bandages, steroids and antihistamines can also keep the pet from aggravating any wounds.