Rabies site complication

[Jeanine Bandini]

Wally developed a large lump at the rabies vaccination site. The vet said it was OK and to watch it to make sure it didn't get bigger. Today it burst (don't know how) and left a dried bloody mess. (I will be calling the vet as soon as they open in the morning) Anyone have this problem? How do I treat it?

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I would think of what I am sure you are already doing just keep it clean. When you say burst was the bump the size of a pea a radish etc. Was it in a spot that Wally himself irritated. I am not aware of were they inject the vaccine so I am sorry if this is a dumb question. Was it full of puss or just blood?

[Jeanine Bandini]

The lump was on his right hip (the vet said it was from the vaccine other wise I wouldn't have known). It is about 1 and 1/2 inches across. (circular) He could have licked it himself but he has not been bothering it and I didnt see him do it. I noticed the dried blood (not sure if there was puss or not) after he was at doggy day care (he was there for 2 hours for a temperment test) I am wondering if another dog would have bothered with it?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I have had dog's with fatty tumors that burst, know nothing about what you are describing from a vaccine. I would definitely clean it, but I imagine you have already. You could put neosporin on it. That's what we did with the fatty tumor thingy.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh goodness, just looked at your page. He's a baby! I doubt it would be a fatty tumor then. I'm so sorry for you and for your little guy.

[Lynn D.]

Sounds like a abcess. Echo got injured somehow at daycare (he never went back) and by day 4-5 his leg was hard and swollen like a small grapefruit. When the abcess burst it was large and nasty. He had 2 surgeries, which cost me $1200 at least.

Keep him from licking it. Keep it as clean and dry as possible. You could use some triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin). The dried blood won't hurt him if you choose to leave it.