Border Terrier with sore leg

[Salhal]

My BT came back from the groomers with a bald spot on his front leg. He has been licking it and it now looks quite sore. DH reckons just getting one of those plastic collar things will do the trick - he is wanting to avoid an unnecessary vets bill. I'm worried because it looks so sore, do you reckon it's worth a trip to the vets (and more likely than bit a 60 quid bill)?

I got two BT's.

Is it red or sore looking? I would stick some germolene or antiseptic on it and see how it looks.

I never go rushing off to the vet, one of mine developed a limp which disappeared the next day!!!

Having said that BTs are fairly stoic- so if it continues then maybe go to the vet in a couple of days?

The lampshade would help I think

How's the leg?

Don't use germolene or human antiseptic a large number of these products are irritant to dogs and will actually make it worse.
Dry saliva itself is very itchy so you need to prevent the licking by either using a collar or overnight the leg. Also bathing the leg twice a day with warm salty water to remove the dry saliva will help.
If the leg is angry red and or lumpy or has discharge it needs to see a vet as there is infection present.

Thanks for the replies,the leg is much the same so I bought a lampshade collar from the vets today. If it's no better by Tuesday I'm going to pop him to the vets. Not sure he's my friend now though! I'm going to try some salt water tonight as well. Thanks again!

If it looks sore I would see the vet tomorrow if it is infected the longer you wait to start the antibiotics the longer the course you are likely to need.