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My dog has a hard lump with a black tip on its paw. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 8 lbs

My shih tzu has a very small and dry hard lump on the front of her paw with a black tip in the middle of the lump, what do you think it is? She doesn't like when I try to look at it close up or irritate it.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 23rd, 2017

This looks like it may be a blood blister or possibly an insect bite. It does not appear very irritated and appears to have ruptured in the center. This will likely go away on its own within a couple of weeks. In the meantime keep it clean by flushing with water (only water - no soap or antiseptics) for one minute once a day. If the bump increases in size, gets red, or starts to have pus or bloody discharge, then take her to the vet.

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    Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bella. It's very difficult and almost always impossible to tell what skin growths are unless you run some tests. My rule is this- any new skin mass should be evaluated right away by your veterinarian unless they get smaller and resolve on their own in a few days to a week or so. Skin growths can be solid masses or tumors (benign or malignant), granulomas (a collection of inflammatory cells), cysts, etc. They are especially important down on the legs or in areas where removal can be challenging due to lack of excess skin. In these places, removal is much more important early when they are small. I would advise going to your veterinarian and letting them examine the growth. They can then discuss a good diagnostic plan which could include a fine needle aspirate, biopsy, cytology, histopathology, etc. They may advise removal or excision and then submitting to a pathologist for a diagnosis. Good luck and I wish you the best with Bella.

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