Lab with possible infected wound?

Question
I have two two-year-old labradors and my husband and I are currently in the process of moving.  We didn't want to leave the dogs by themselves at either the new or old house so we took them to a friends farm for the weekend.  My friend called this afternoon and said that the male lab was leaking green puss from an area on his neck.  There is no visible opening, cut, or puncture wound.  There is a red discoloration to the infected skin.  I plan to take him to the vet on Monday, but I want to know if there is anything I can do for him in the meantime when I go get him tomorrow.  My friend called back late this evening and said the area has gotten larger, but he doesnt act like anything is wrong.  Im worried that maybe that got a hold of another animal on the farm and perhaps that is what has caused this infection.  Thanks so much for your help.

Answer
Hi Rebekka and thanks for your question.

It does sound as if he has gotten some type of wound and it has gotten infected. If I were you, I would try shaving the area around where the "leaking" is occurring. There should be a wound of some kind, as even the smallest break in the skin can become infected and if it's leaking, there's got to be an opening. If, when shaving, you don't see a place in the area the leaking seems to be coming from, shave a larger spot. I believe you will eventually find the area that is causing the infection. Once located, flush the area well with a salt water solution (warm) and apply an antibiotic cream (not ointment) or antiseptic rinse. Don't use peroxide because it really doesn't help with the healing and can cause more problems if it is a puncture wound. Keep it clean and dry until you can get him to the vet.

It definitely could be a bite, as these things can get nasty fast. If your friend has cats or if he got a hold of one, these bites and scratches can be really nasty. Cats carry a number of bacteria (pasturella for one) in their mouths and on their feet/claws that can cause severe infections in a flash. This is where the term "cat scratch fever" came from.

Please let me know how it goes at the vet.