type of wound

Hi, This wound appeared on my 10 year old dog - the testicles: it is like a split or tear as visible in the photo. I have crossed checked it with images on the internet (hundreds) and it doesn't look like anything other than a split or tear. I am the primary carer of the dog and he did not  sustain this injury with my knowledge. It has since been remedied by a vet, who found presence of infection but nothing else. I just wondered if there was anything that stands out in the image in terms of the lack of blood, tissue damage, colour?    

Hello  - This is curious.  It is difficult to tell the depth of field (I have come to a large screen to double-check and am still undecided whether there is pink connective tissue standing proud of the testes, or a slit in the scrotal skin exposing a deeper layer.  Reading your notes, I will assume the latter, a break in the skin).   Scotums are made of multiple layers and in this case, photography is bound to feel inferior to close examination.  There is nothing I've positively identified that makes me want to prescribe antibiotics, but presumably your vet has examined the scrotum, so knows more than I can expect to, and perhaps they have performed culture / sensitivity.  My concern might be whether pain releif or anti-inflammatories are needed.  The scrotum is an extremely sensitive area so hopefully this has been assessed.  I am also interested in the white specks on the picture and wonder whether they might be mites or dandruff, either of which may have implications for the patient.  In short, I'm afraid that I have insufficient contect to assess this one.  What was it about the colour of the flesh that alarmed yourself or your vet?  How fresh is (cut) in the picture?

This has changed since this photo and the vet removed the tissue as a matter of precaution as he felt it was taking too long to close up; I was walking the dog and noticed some fluid on his leg - not much but enough for me to check what was going on and there it was. It changed from the image attached (only have the photos of when I found it). There was no discharge- but some redness around the wound and mild swelling of the testicles. The tissue around it was soft also. The wound opened out around 3-4 cm roughly - but despite being kept clean and with a course of antibiotics - swelling was still found after 7-10 days and the wound was not healing properly - so surgery was performed - neutering. This healed without issue - 7 days. I suppose what I'm asking is would skin cancer or alike start life as a cut like wound in this way? In terms of the general appearance - that was what I meant by colour - hallmark of cancer. The vet has found no signs of this, but I cannot comprehend where he got a wound of this significance, which made me feel it just developed, but it does look like a tear or split. I have a photo which is slightly closer up.        

Hello - great question. There are generally multiple explanations for any one colour change or wound so I wouldnt view any of them as a hallmark.  However, cancer can indeed 'look like anything' and given this ususual history, it sounds as though it would help to have a pathologist assess this skin, in order to get to the bottom of the cause.