My dog has suddenly got a lump near his anus. Is this serious, what to do about it? Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 4 days old | 6 lbs

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.

This sounds like Randy may have a reactive anal gland. The anal glands are 2 sacs located just inside the rectum at the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock position that can get impacted and inflamed causing infection and a really foul odor. I would recommend to take your dog to your veterinarian for an exam and proper cleansing of this very sensitive area. Sometimes this is very painful to dogs. To help prevent impacted anal glands in the future it is suggested to add fiber to the diet through either a food diet change or adding 1-2 tblsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) to the food. This may also be an abscess, a cyst or a tumor. You should have it examined by your veterinarian, as it is not possible to distinguish these by just looking at a photo. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. To identify a tumor, 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.

Thank you for providing a picture of this growth next to Titan's anus. It could be that his anal sac has abscessed causing this appearance, but it could also be an anal sac tumor. I would definitely have Titan seen by a vet as soon as possible to diagnose what is causing this lump so it can be treated as needed. I hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Stubby. She appears to have an anal gland abscess that has ruptured. She needs to see her veterinarian. The anal glands sit under the skin on either side of the anus. They are supposed to express fluid every time the dog defecates. However, sometimes they can become infected. When this occurs an abscess forms under the skin, and in her case, has ruptured. It is very painful. She will need pain medication and an antibiotic to treat the infection. She will also need the gland flushed out to ensure it is functioning. In the meantime, do not allow her to lick the area. I hope this information helps!