Treatment for any spots or ulcers that you find on your dog's skin will be determined by the cause of the problem. Spots or sores can be caused by parasites, infection, an injury, bug or animal bite, skin condition or disease. Once a veterinarian diagnoses the cause of the spot, she can guide you to a course of action that might include over-the-counter or prescription medications, topical treatments, biopsies or surgeries.
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Over-the-Counter Treatments
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For bug bites, minor scrapes, skin allergies or fungal infections that cause unusual spots, sores or ulcers on the skin, topical cortisone creams, oral antihistamines, anti-fungal creams or topical antibacterials may be appropriate. Some skin conditions also do well when treated with soothing pet shampoos using oatmeal as a main ingredient. Because of the number of problems that can cause spots or ulcers, a veterinarian will need to determine the exact cause of the abnormality prior to any treatment being administered. An antifungal cream will not heal a spot caused by a bacterial infection.
Prescription Drugs
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In some cases, when the spot or ulcer is found to be caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics and steriods may be needed to heal the skin. The specific antibiotic will be determined based on the diagnosis. If a bacterial infection is involved, you can expect that your dog will be on antibiotics for an average of seven to 10 days.
Some large ulcers can be diagnosed as hot spots. Hot spots are quite common in long-haired or double-coated dogs that live in warm areas of the country. Treatment for a hot spot usually entails clipping the area free from hair, applying topical drying agents and administering a course of antibiotics.
Biopsies and Surgery
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If a spot or ulcer is considered to be precancerous or cancerous, or your veterinarian cannot determine its cause, your dog will undergo a biopsy to determine the exact nature of the spot. Surgery may then be performed to remove the affected area to the point where the veterinarian can determine that the margins of any pre-cancer or cancerous spots are clear and free of disease. After surgery, your dog will often be placed on antibiotics while healing to prevent secondary infection. Further treatment options are totally dependent on the diagnosis of the spot. Cancers fully removed by surgery often need no further treatment.
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