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My dog has a red shiny bump on his paw. What is it and how do I treat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | 60 lbs

My dog has developed a red bump on his paw. I noticed it today after I gave him water, he was licking his paw for a long time so after he stopped I looked at his paw and saw a red shiny bump on his paw. He is a German shepherd chow mix and has been acting pretty normal since I noticed it. I wanted to what the bump is and how can I treat?

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenny, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 12th, 2017

It appears to be an interdigital cyst. Typically they get infected easily and are usually the result of allergies or a puncture or foreign body such as a grass awn or splinter. You can try to soak it in warm water but you normally have to do antibiotics to clear it or have it flushed out.

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18Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 12th, 2017

    Hi there! This looks suspiciously like furunculosis. Whether bacterial, migrating foreign body, or demodectic (skin parasite) origin-these usually require a trip to your veterinarian for oral antibiotics and sometimes lancing to drain the infection out. They will be cleaned and your vet will likely teach you to do saline or chlorohexadine soaks. Hope this helps!

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    13Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 7th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would take him to the Vet next week. In the meantime get an E-collar or donut to prevent licking. Start soaking the paw twice daily in Epsom salt bath. Dry the foot well after. Possible causes are a mass on the foot (mast cell tumor, adenoma that is infected or is he is young a histiocytoma) or it could be a interdigital furniculosis which is an infected in grown hair. We treat that with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. You can always post a picture to help us as well. Have a good day!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 16th, 2019

    Very difficult to say without having it in front me of me. I can't tell if that is just really inflamed tissue or an actual growth. From the picture it looks more like a growth of some sort. There are all different types of growths that can appear on the feet ranging from completely benign to seriously harmful. I would recommend having the area analyzed cellularly or just having it removed before it gets larger. If it ends up just being inflamed tissue, the vet may just want to try some anti-inflammatory medication, antibiotics, and a week with the cone to prevent further self-mutilation. Hope this makes sense.

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