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My chihuahua has a swollen, fluid-filled back leg. When to see vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | 8 years and 5 months old | 10 lbs

My chihuahua has a large round swollen part on her back leg. Although it feels more like a sack of fluids then than a injury swollen. I was wondering based off this picture if we should take her in today or wait it out? She is acting like she is completely fine and it is not bothering her. I just fear with the long weekend if it does turn into something then we can't take her anywhere until possibly Tuesday or Wednesday.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 2nd, 2017

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! From what you have detailed in your description and the picture you have provided, I would recommend getting her seen by her regular vet sooner rather than later. If she is dealing with a protein / fluid imbalance in her body, this could be causing fluid accumulation in various areas of the body. If something is causing lymph fluid to accumulate in the leg, I would want that also examined sooner rather than later. It does not sound like an injury since she is not painful and given that you are describing it as a sac of fluid, I would want her examined and have this looked at by a vet soon. Blood work is something I would strongly recommend to ensure she does not have any systemic changes that could be leading to this. I hope this helps! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any other questions / concerns you may have. I am also available by phone or text consultation if you would like to talk more about Leah. Please remember to rate this post as helpful or not. Thank you!

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