Can an Abscess Kill a Dog?

- January 30, 2023
- Dogs
- Roger Miller
Has your dog ever had an abscess before? If so, then you know how terrifying these little pus things look on their skins.
At first, it is possible for the abscess to not represent any major problem is you treat it right. In fact, treating dog abscesses at home is possible too. But what happens if you fail to take care of the abscess, or if it seems to have no possible cure?
Can an abscess kill a dog? Are we panicking over nothing? The answer might surprise you – let Your Pet, Your Love, elaborate on this matter.
Is a Dog Abscess an Emergency?
Most times, dog abscesses are not an emergency. This means that if the abscess starts by itself, it might disappear if you follow a couple of basic steps.
Abscesses often form when staphylococcal or staph bacteria find a breakpoint within your dog’s skin and enter its body.
Then, your dog’s immune system fights to combat the bacteria, which leads to the release of white cells, and subsequently turns into pus.
But the abscess will not go away by itself – instead, you must follow some medical precautions and basic care to treat the abscess before it turns into something bigger.
It is important to ask ourselves questions such as “Can a Tick Kill a Dog?” or “Can a Hairball Kill a Dog?” so we can understand the dangers that might affect our little companions.
Will an Abscess on a Dog Go Away?
No – in most cases, a dog abscess will not go away by itself. That’s the scary part – abscesses can lead to infections, and infections hardly go away in a few days or weeks.
Instead, you must treat your dog accordingly, so the abscess does not turn into something more dangerous.
The good news is that if you treat the abscess with enough time, it will only last between 2 and 3 days before it finally goes away.
Can a Dog Die From an Abscess?
Yes – a dog can die from an abscess, especially if we talk about a tooth abscess. If the abscess is left untreated, it is possible for it to propagate the infection around your dog’s body, which causes a type of fever that can be fatal.
Although this doesn’t happen all the time, it is utterly important to prevent this scenario at all costs. Otherwise, your dog might end up dying in a fairly horrible way, which is something that none of us want.
Can a Tooth Abscess Kill a Dog?
Yes, a tooth abscess can kill a dog. Tooth abscesses form due to dental issues or penetrating wounds inside the mouth of dogs.
Since treating tooth abscesses is often pretty hard for first-time dog owners, leaving it untreated can lead to a severe infection which ultimately leads to death.
The staph bacteria attract the mouth more than other parts of the body, so when we talk about tooth abscesses, we must be extremely cautious.

How Fast Can an Infection Kill a Dog?
According to multiple pet studies, it is possible for infections to kill dogs from 8 to 10 days after appearing.
Since abscesses can lead to infection, if the abscess is not treated as it should, then your canine can die after 10 days of the first appearance of the symptoms.
Of course, this varies depending on the type of infection that your dog is facing. For instance, Shock due to Bacterial Infection can ask quicker or slower, depending on the current health state of your furry friend.
Can an Infected Wound Kill a Dog?
Yes – infected wounds not only are a great way for abscesses to proliferate in your dog’s body, but they might also lead to sepsis, which often has fatal outcomes.
If a dog has a wound that it hasn’t been treated, this wound can fulminant septicemia. Research shows that this disease is quite deadly, and to be fair, it is one of the most horrible deaths that a dog can have.