Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog's knee lump tripled in size and turned dark purple. What now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Olde English Bulldogge | Male | neutered | 7 years and 7 months old | 65 lbs

My dog has had a marble size lump on his knee that that vet has seen and said it was okay however this weekend it has tripled in size and has a dark purple look to it

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on May 29th, 2021

I'm concerned that this lump has tripled in size in such a short amount of time, and the color of it as well. Otis should go back to the vet for this to get it checked out, and I would take him into his vet this weekend or first thing Monday. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog trixi has a lump on her back knee. Shes had it for a while. I haven't noticed it bothering her but I do want to know what it is so if you could help that would be great. She has also been getting sick often for the past few days.
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. They can also see why she has not been feeling well. 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
Hi just spotted a lump near my dogs knee cap, when I touched it its solid and doesn't seem to be attached but he wasnt keen on me touching it. Hes a big dog and doesn't show pain.
I would have this lump on Jake examined by a vet. It could be a cyst, a benign tumor, or potentially a malignant tumor. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I'd recommend having Jake seen by a vet tomorrow to have the lump examined and diagnose so it can be treated as needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My miniature American Eskimo dog has a dark purple lump on his lower back above his tail, it doesn't bother him at all but he likes it to be scratched. Is this serious?
There is a potential for any lump to be serious, which is why I would recommend bringing Kola into the vet to have it examined. Lumps on dogs can be caused by cysts, abscesses, benign tumors, or malignant tumors. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Kola seen by a vet on Monday or Tuesday.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a red lump on her rear right leg just below the bend that has doubled in size since 1 week ago. It is about the size of a marble now and she seems defensive over it but otherwise doesnt seem bothered by it. Any idea what it is and any ways
That looks like it could be a growth of some sort, and it's concerning that it has doubled in size in a week. This is not something that can be treated at home. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. I would give Athena's vet a call to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We recently discovered a lump on our dogs leg. It started to shrink yesterday but today grew larger and changed from pink to purple.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Lady. This lump could be a cyst, a benign growth, or a malignant growth. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a pink wart type of growth on her shoulder but I see a black spot on it and want to know if it needs to be examined.
Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. This lump on Ophelia could be caused by a wart, but it could also be due to a benign tumor or a malignant tumor. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Ophelia seen by a vet on Monday or Tuesday to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Dog has a growth on elbow
That's a good size growth. This could be benign or malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give Tana's vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog developed a lump behind his right knee. It's about the size of a quarter and it wasn't there yesterday. He is a three year old neutered blue heeler mix who has had no previous health problems. How likely is it to be lymphoma?
I would recommend a vet visit. The vet can do a needle aspirate and take a look at the cells. While this may be a location for a lymph node it does not necessarily have to be lymphoma. Enlarged lymph nodes may be due to cancer, or inflammation or infection. Or it's possible it's not a lymph node and may be another type of mass or swelling. I recommend a vet visit to try to see what is swollen and why.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My rat terrier has had a mass behind her front leg for years without any problems all of a sudden a few days ago it changed grew, darker & drained. I've included pictures of before, the day it changed and now. I'm trying to find out if I need to make
This lump/bump/growth should be ideally examined by your local vet to have a diagnosis established. Your vet may want to perform an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy to sample the bump and determine its underlying nature. Differentials would include skin cysts, infections, benign or more malignant type of tumors. I think it can wait for a week to be seen, provided the mass is not constantly growing. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has had an inflammation to his leg as seen below - it has drastically changed size within the past 2 weeks. Is this a cause for concern?
Yes, this mass needs to be checked by your vet. There is no way for me to tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but it looks pretty serious. It is definitely a tumor but what kind it is, I don't know. I also don't know if it is malignant or benign. The best option is to have it surgically removed and then sent off for a histopathology.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dog Blood Pressure Medication Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Vitamins & Supplements Antifungal Medication for Dogs Novox Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Deramaxx Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds DOG by Dr Lisa Lactulose Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Amlodipine Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds OxyMed Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Onsior Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Adequan Canine Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Vetprofen Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Lantus Dog Medicine and Prescriptions
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored