My dog keeps licking her leg and has a soft red lump. Is it cancer?

Question

Bella always has licked her paws and sometimes front legs. I noticed tonight it was wet there from licking and checked and noticed a small pea sized lump on her front upper leg. It is redish and soft. I attached pictures that are zoomed in. She doesn't yelp when it is touched. Could this be cancerous?? Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 10 years and 3 months old | 3.6 lbs

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

Anytime a new mass is noticed, I always recommend having it evaluated to see what it is and if anything needs to be done about it. Unfortunately, we can't tell anything about a mass by just looking at it. Your vet can perform a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they use a small needle to collect some cells from the mass, then look at them under the microscope. They may even need to send the cells to the lab for a pathologist to examine them, so we know what the mass is. If it is benign, you might not need to do anything about the mass at all, but if they see cells that worry them, they might recommend removing the mass. Skin tumors that have hair growing from them are generally benign, but I always recommend having them checked just to be safe. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

My dog keeps licking her leg and has a soft red lump. Is it cancer?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

My guinea pig has a growing lump on its neck. Can it heal itself?

How do I safely fix my dog or cat's painful hangnail at home?

My pet has a lump on their neck. What is it and what should I do?

My mouse has a growing lump. What can I do if I can't afford a vet?

My pet has a soft lump. How long can I wait before seeing a vet?

Why is my 5-week-old chick struggling to walk with splayed legs?

Share