The first cut is the deepest

We have a bit of a dilemma, and don't know what to do. Clover who, as you may or may not know, will be 14 in a couple of weeks so not in the first flush of youth, has several lumps and bumps in various places on her body, none big or bothering her. But she has one, less than a centimetre in diameter, on her neck which has decided that it won't heal. Harry and Piglet keep trying to clean it for her which of course knocks off the scab again and keeps it open. We've tried various ointments and unguents and powders and incantations at the full moon but nothing works. If we want to sort it out properly it'll have to come off, and one of the vets I work with is happy to do it with me assisting - because leaving her in a strange place with strangers would be very stressful for her and simply isn't an option. But that'll involve a GA which can be risky at the best of times, and although her heart and lung function are good I'm loath to put her through that unless it's absolutely necessary. We just don't know what to do for the best.