My dog has a lump on her leg and it keeps getting bigger. Pet's info: Dog | Rottweiler | Female | 8 years and 2 months old | 120 lbs

This may be an abscess, a cyst or a tumor. You should have it examined by your veterinarian, as it is not possible to distinguish these by just looking at a photo. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. To identify a tumor, your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate (he takes some material from the bump with a needle and then looks at it under the microscope) to determine whether the mass is concerning.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This lump/growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, infections or benign or malignant type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This is a bit concerning. I think you should have Padme to your vet for an exam. It looks like a tumor; it is most likely benign but unfortunately there is no way for me to tell just by looking at it.

Why is the lump on my dog's leg growing and what should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Rottweiler | Female | 8 years and 2 months old | 120 lbs

My dog has a lump on her leg and it keeps getting bigger

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Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM 130

Veterinarian

Published on June 4th, 2017

I am sorry to hear about Belle. She should see her veterinarian to have this lump examined. There are several possibilities including abscess (a pocket of infection beneath the skin), a hygroma or callus that has become infected, and a tumor (we can have benign tumors that do not spread or cause problems and malignant tumors that can be aggressive and require removal). Your vet may be able to determine more by palpating (feeling) the area, and they may recommend an x-ray of the area or a fine needle aspirate to sample the tissue to help determine the cause. In the meantime make sure your dog has soft thick bedding to lay on in case this is being aggravated by pressure against a hard floor when your dog is laying down.

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Why is the lump on my dog's leg growing and what should I do?

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