Q: How do I know if a skin lesion is serious or just a minor issue?

A: It’s not always easy to tell, which is why we advise dog owners to watch for certain red flags. If the lesion is painful, growing, bleeding, or not healing within a few days, or if your dog is obsessively licking or scratching the area, it needs to be seen. Also, if your dog has more than one lesion or shows other signs like lethargy or fever, don’t delay the visit to your vet.