Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my dog licking a painful lump near her rear when walking?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Female | spayed | 4 years and 8 months old

My dog has a 3cm (1 inch) lump next to her ass hole, and when she walks its like she is in pain and scared, and suddenly she stops to lick it

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2016

This lump on Flo could actually be an impacted anal sac, which would be painful and would cause her to lick at it. I would take her into a vet now to have it examined. The vet can determine if it is an impacted anal sac, and express it for you.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 7th, 2022

    Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am very sorry but the photo quality is not good enough for me to tell what is going on. If you would like to post again with a clearer photo in better lighting then maybe we can help you better. My best guess as to what is going on just based on your description is that she is likely having a problem with her anal glands. You will need to take her to your veterinarian for an exam. The glands could be impacted or infected. Obviously she is very uncomfortable and painful so getting her treated as soon as possible is recommended. Hope this helps. Best wishes

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My male dog started dragging his butt on my carpet more than usual, and I've seen him lick his butthole more frequently then before. I took a look at it and he has a lump on the left side of his butthole. I don't know what it is.
This behavior in Brownie can be indicative of an impacted anal sac, and the lump next to his anus indicates that as well. The anal sac will need to be expressed if it's impacted, so I would take him into the vet now during normal business hours. It's important to have it expressed before it ruptures.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has suddenly got a lump near his anus. Is this serious, what to do about it?
I am afraid I cannot see a lump on this photo, however if you can feel a lump near the anus it is likely a full or impacted anal sac. *You may need to take your dog to a vet to have it expressed, if he is bothered by it. Usually dogs start scooting on the floor when they have a bothersome anal sac.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Starting this week, I notice lump near her butthole and it’s hurting my dog. I’m not sure what to do.
Poor girl. This is most likely an anal gland abscess (infected pocket). The only way to resolve this unfortunately is to visit your vet who will have to lance this area, drain out the infection, and then get her on an oral antibiotic. This is typically caused by the anal glands (two sacs inside the rectum) getting overly full and then getting infected. Some pets require having their anal glands expressed by your vet or groomer once every 4-8 weeks if this becomes a constant problem. An over the counter product called Glandex can help some of these pets manage this problem, but we really don't know for sure why these are a problem in pets, so its best to discuss this more with your vet once you get this treated. Until she can get seen you can try applying a cold compress to the area if tolerated. But its best to get her seen soon to fully resolve this source of discomfort and infection. I do hope that your pet Lala's swollen area gets resolved soon! Best of luck and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, today i noticed what in appearance looks kinda like a blood blister next to my dog's butthole and i'm wondering what it could be? She's not showing any signs of pain or anything so it's odd
I recommend to get Lilly examined. That could be an anal gland abscess or an infection. Have her examined today and keep her from licking or traumatizing the area. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a small pea shaped and sized lump on her back “ankle” joint. On closer inspection it doesn’t appear to be oozing or bleeding nor have a “head” on it. It is whiteish red and the top layer is dry, but not scaby. She’s been licking it a lit
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
He suddenly got a big lump by his bum ,I noticed he was acting different today but I didn’t know what till hours later I saw it and I think it bothers him to an extinct I just want to figure out what it could be cause he’s not acting like him self .
Ouch, that looks painful. This could be an abscessed anal sac, a cyst or a tumor. I suggest you take Norman to a veterinarian ASAP for an exam. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
hi so my 3 year old pug Chihuahua mix has a lump on her right butt bone area she had parco before h dont know if that could have anything to do with it . but she already had it opened and we drained some of the fluid and it was like a brownish color
It sounds like this could be an abscess, but if there is brownish fluid and the lump was located right near her anus, I would be concerned that Chata had an impacted anal sac and that was opened. I would take her into the vet immediately. This area needs to be flushed and cleaned sterilely, and she will likely need antibiotics to prevent infection. Please take Chata into a vet now.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my dog have a large red lump next to her anus? She keeps licking it and the area with the red bump had lost all its hair
It looks like Betsy has a skin infection. If it feels like there is a lump underneath, it could indicate a skin tumor that now has a secondary infection. I would recommend to take her in for an exam. In the mean time, make her wear an Elizabethan collar to protect the area as licking it will make it worse. Wash it with an antibacterial soap and apply a topical antibiotic. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My boxer has two oozing lumps on her bottom next to the anus area What could it be
These lesions could be a result of ruptured anal gland abscesses. Anal glands are scent glands just inside the rectum that typically empty with bowel movements and "mark" the stool. In some cases, they don't empty normally and can become impacted or infected. Your dog should see her vet for an exam and will likely need to have her anal glands emptied fully, flushed, and started on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Until you can get her to the vet, make sure she wears an e-collar (cone) to prevent further licking or damage to this area. If she will tolerate it, you can try a warm compress with a warm wet washcloth over the affected area to help with some discomfort and drainage. Do not give any over the counter pain medications, as these are all toxic to dogs.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog suddenly displayed this red blister like lump on the top of her back leg today, not sure how she got it but it doesn't appear to be sore, she just keeps licking it. She threw up this morning, but didn't appear to have the lump then, so not su
Since Molly is licking this, I suspect it's either itchy or painful. It could be an insect bite, but if it's not improving after 24 hours I would get it checked out. Some skin cancers (mast cell tumors) pop up quickly, and can be quite irritating. Your vet can do a simple test called a fine needle aspirate to diagnose exactly what this is.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored