I am not sure what to do, not exactly sure how he got it. I first noticed it very small area, looked like he may have scratched himself. I left it alone and watched him to see if he was scratching, but he was not.

After a few days, it looked like it was not healing, I put some bag balm stuff on it. Closer examination looks like some sort of infection.

I gently cleaned the area with a warm wash cloth and some betadine this morning and let it air dry, I wanted to see if it was oozing, or staying dry.. here is an image of his cheek,


Of course if it continues to get bigger he is going to the vet, but if I can do something to promote healing without the vet, both of us will be happier.

I have some Malaseb Pledgets, would those be appropriate to use or keep antibacterial ointment on it? Keep it dry?

Any input is very much appreciated.

Last time I bought food, I had to buy something less costly, I bought Nutro Natural Choice, He does wear a muzzle on walks, but it looks like something poked him, not like rubbing from the muzzle.. But, I don't know, so I am asking.

Thanks.

How long did it take to go from unnoticeable to this?

Is he scratching? Acting like it hurts?

Does it stick up? (It's hard to tell.)

Was it oozing? Or is it dry?

(It looks like a vet visit to me ... I'm just feeling around for what I'd be likely to do in the meantime.)

It is hard to say what it could be. I can see what might appear to be a puncture in the center.??
I have used this with a great deal of success:
http://www.vetericyn.com/
there is a store locator in the corner for you to see if you can find a place near you that carries it.
I found mine at a local tack shop.

I can tell you that I have had really good success in healing cracked and open pad wounds as well as skin irritations from allergies. This product does treat both bacterias and fungus as well. It might be worth a try to see if this will clear it up before heading to the vet.

That is really hard to tell what is going on there. Does it look like a scab or blood blister in person? It appears to have hair loss, if yes has that been gradual? It kind of also looks like there are other areas that have maybe something going on, like above it near the ear.

The only thing I've ever seen present that way was an embedded rose thorn which was scabbed over on the top of a dog's head. It was pretty gross. There are many many possibilities on what the mystery bump/scabby thing could be.

I would definately be using a clean warm washcloth as a compress with sea salt water in it, it helps to cleanse and pull out whatever is in there.

Is it hot or is there swelling?

Can you link us to (link, please, rather than embed the pics in the post) a couple more pics at different angles?

Including one that shows the whole side of the face for a better idea of the size of the affected area(s)?

I'm not trying to sound like we're a panel of derm experts .... just that more/better views might help in case one of us recognizes something from a similar experience.

It does look like a vet visit ... I'm just looking to see what I/we might be thinking of doing before you can get there.

eta

And answers to everyone's questions ...

Poor guy.

I would try warm compresses to see if you can gently open that scabbed over spot. I am wondering if he has an abcess there. If the scab comes off, you may be able to get something to drain. I've had really good luck with ichthymal (sp?) ointment. It's gross and smells bad, but I have treated a few abcesses (and an imbedded catus spine in my daughter's foot) with it and am a firm believer that it works.
Whatever it is, I hope your little handsome guy feels better very soon.

http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/2nd.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/cheek1.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/cheek2.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/cheek3.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/cerface2.jpg
http://members.cox.net/sizzleinsocal/pics/firstpic.jpg

the last link, called firstpic, was the first image I took, before I used the warm washcloth on it. The others are a few hours later.

I would say from when I first noticed it, maybe a week to 9 days around there. Just the last 3 or 4 days that I had noticed considerable change, the loss of hair and the "wet" look.

I have not seen him scratch at all, he has been very playful. He has let me put ointment on it and look at it with a flash light and a magnifying glass, as I right away looked for some object stuck in there, thorn.. saw nothing.

He does hate hate hate the muzzle. I take it off him as soon as we get into the car, but even on walks he will stop in the grass to rub his nose, but he has always done that when muzzled. Maybe from the heat and the muzzle rubbing??

Its oozy looking, but kind of dry/stiff to touch in the "wet" looking part of the hair

Does not seem hot, no swelling.

When I first noticed it, it looked like a small cut, then it looked like he had scratched it, as it was much bigger, pretty quick. I actually thought scratching seemed logical, and put an E collar on him when I did not have him with me, (just in case he was scratching it open)

But jeeze, that thing makes him miserable, but I was really hoping to nip this in the "cheek" to prevent a vet visit.

They always want to sedate him, give him medicine, I am mostly anti antibiotics for my dogs.

Anyway, hope the other images help and I got all the questions. Thanks