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Cellulitis and skin abscess in dogs
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Cellulitis is an infectious process involving the skin and subcutaneous fat. In most cases, it is caused by puncture wounds, lacerations, deep scratches, and bites. The development of cellulitis can usually be prevented by appropriate wound treatment.
The area affected by cellulitis will be tender to pressure, hotter than the surrounding skin, not as soft as normal, and appear redder than usual. As the infection spreads beyond the wound, you may be able to feel tender bands under the skin, which are swollen lymph vessels. In addition, regional lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, or neck may become enlarged to contain the infection.
A skin abscess is a localized sac of pus beneath the epidermis. Pimples, pustules, boils, and abscesses are examples of small skin abscesses. A large abscess feels like fluid under pressure.
Treatment: Trim the hair to help localize the infection. Apply warm compresses for 15 minutes three times a day. Salt (1 teaspoon: 10 g table salt, 1 l water) or Epsom (1/4 cup: 33 g Epsom salt, 1 l water) compresses can be used. Splinters and foreign bodies under the skin continue to be sources of infection and should be removed.
Pimples, pustules, boils, abscesses, and ulcers that do not rupture (drain) on their own should be drained by a veterinarian. If the cavity is large enough, your veterinarian may tell you to flush it once or twice a day with a dilute antiseptic surgical solution, such as chlorhexidine, until it heals. For a large abscess, your veterinarian may place a drain to speed up the healing process.
For the treatment of wound infections, cellulitis, abscesses and other pyoderma, tablet and injectable forms of antibiotics may be prescribed.
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