Infected Belly Button

[MolassesLass]

Duke's belly button seems to have gotten a bit infected. There are some small raised bits, one of which released some pus on squeezing. It also has a black paste-like substance on it that I couldn't wash off with warm water or betadine.

I'm thinking if the goop goes away (it is quite likely started by mud from the creek where they swim) the belly button will be fine and I can stop stressing about an internal infection. Any hints on something else I could use to clean that might remove such stuff?

Edited March 11, 2008 by molasseslass

[lucknow]

I am trying to picture it in my head and not having much luck...

First up no swimming until completely sorted, if you think this started in the water I would keep both dogs out for the time being. I am no expert but am pretty sure that bacteria would be multiplying in waterways all over Australia due to drought, heat, and in some areas flood bringing even more nasties in.

I am presuming Duke is an adult (?). If so and appears to be just pustules clean with saline solution and stock Betadine to dress.

The black substance, could it be tar? It can be quite irritating and could explain some worries. Besides just picking it off, Metho can help sometimes ( but be warned, it will really sting unbroken skin) or food safe oil such as vegetable oil.

Other than that I am shrugging my shoulders here.

[Cavandra]

Very bizare thing to happen , why has he made a sore in that spot I wonder, should be flat skin that looks alittle like a flat scar but no reason to have an opening to allow pus to be coming out of it............Peroxide, apple cider vinegar or witchhazel for wound cleaning, betadine if he doesnt lick it off.

Edited March 11, 2008 by Cavandra

[MolassesLass]

Cavandra, there isn't an opening as such, there are two swellings which (like a pimple) were pus filled when I squeezed them. It's not a wound but a skin irritation/infection/rash or something. What I assume is mud that has perhaps gone into the skin a bit is what I'm trying to wash off. I'm thinking perhaps something alcohol based.

Lucknow, it's not bacteria in the water but the mud I was thinking may have caused the skin irritation/infection.

Duke's a 3 year old male Bullmastiff, he has quite a large belly button. He doesn't swim, just wades and digs around in the mud and I've noticed before he has collected a clump of mud in his belly button (which also collects fluff daily - he's special ). Perhaps I've missed cleaning it or haven't cleaned it properly and it's somehow caused this.

I'll get a picture tonight, it seems words (at least mine) won't suffice. :D

Edited March 11, 2008 by molasseslass

[MolassesLass]

You can see the swelling at the bottom. The black area is where the smooth bit of his belly button scar is. The black stuff is kinda oily and almost seems part of the skin.

[Clyde]

Have you got any Pyohex handy?

It's got a decent level of chlorexedine in it so I use it for all manner of bumps and scrapes with success. When I see Pus I use Pyohex.

[puggy_puggy]

Looks more like a contact allergy then anything else. Probably just a coincidence that it's in the belly button area. Most likely the belly button area has the least hair so the allergent is able to get to it easier. The black bit seems to be a skin discolouration caused by the allergy. It probably wont go away but I wouldn't be to worried. Have seen this sort of discolouration on the skin of pugs. My boy pug has it in his groin area.

I would just be cleaning it with something like Physohex (human acne face wash). Maybe applying some sort of ointment like Panalog if it gets really crusty.

[haven]

My GSD gets spots which look similar to that as a result of his chronic Atopy, it's called hyperpigmentation. I can't say if that's what you're looking at with your dog, but it looks the same from the picture.

ETA missed a letter

Edited March 11, 2008 by haven