Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My Border Collie has a pink, hard lump on her leg. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Female | spayed | 50 lbs

We just recently found a lump of some kind on our 8 year old border collie. It is on the inside of her right hind leg, right below the joint. It is pinkish/purple in color and slightly hard to the touch. What could it be? Any help would be appreciated!

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 July 15th, 2022

Thank you for the picture of Oreo's lump, it's very helpful. This lump could be a cyst, hygroma, another type of benign tumor, or potentially a malignant tumor. Unfortunately I cannot make a diagnosis from a picture. 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 her vet a call to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a lump on her leg roughly the size of a marble. She is a 9 year old cocker spaniel and is very healthy otherwise.
Thank you for providing a picture of Mia's lump! It could be a benign tumor, a cyst, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately in a senior dog, there is always a chance it could be 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 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 take her into the vet in the next couple of days to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My border collie has a red raised lump on the top of his leg, there is only 1? Can you possibly tell me what it I said
Without seeing the lump, it's hard to say what it might be. Some possibilities would include a localized bacterial or fungal infection, a local inflammatory reaction due to an insect bite or sting, a lick granuloma (causing by excessive licking), or even a skin tumor of some kind. I would recommend having the lump examined by a vet when you are able to - he/she can do some testing if needed to help determine what it is and what treatment is needed.
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 rescued greyhound has a large squidgy lump appear at the top of her back leg, she lets me touch it, she is running around without the appearance of any pain, what is the cause of this likely to be.
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. With Lizzy's age and your description / picture of the lump, I suspect this is likely to be a lipoma or cyst. A lipoma is a fatty tumor that is typically benign and not concerning. However, that being said, it is impossible for me to determine for sure what the lump is without further testing. If you would like to get more of a diagnosis, I would recommend having Lizzy examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. The veterinarian can insert a small needle into the mass and look at the cells under the microscope to help better determine what the mass could be. A more definitive test would be to either remove the mass and submit the entire sample to the lab or take a biopsy of the mass and send it to the lab. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I noticed my cattle dog had this sore on her hind leg today. It doesn't seem to bother her shes not limping or showing any signs of discomfort. I can touch it and it doesn't seem to bother her
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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 night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My schnoodle has about a quarter size soft, moveable lump under her skin on the under side of her leg. On top, there is a pencil eraser size round hairless area. It doesn't appear infected. It's dry, not oozing anything. I only noticed because she's
This lump could be a cyst, abscess, lipoma, benign tumor, or 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 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 in the morning to make her an appointment. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dog has a massive lump on his side of his back leg.near his back.it reminds me of when I had a cyst under my arm Pitt. It as exactly the same.
Pets can get many types of lumps and bumps. Most of these tumors will be benign but some will be malignant and you can't tell by looks. Here is a helpful link discussing the various types of skin masses in general: https://www.petcoach.co/article/lumps-and-bumps-on-your-pet/ Since mass is large, I do recommend to have it checked out to be safe. From to photo, it looks like there's a pink area which could represent an impending rupture. The doctor may recommend to aspirate the mass to examine the cells under a microscope. That is one of the best ways to know what it is and if further action is needed. Hopefully it's nothing serious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, this lump had appeared almost overnight on my dogs leg. Any idea what it might be and if it's dangerous?
Many lumps present similarly (ie: look the same grossly) so it is hard to say what any lump is just by looking at it. That being said, it appears to be a histiocytoma at first glance but those are normally seen in much younger dogs. The other option that comes to mind right away is mast cell tumor. Of course there are many types of tumors/masses that dogs can get - those are not the only two types. I would suggest you get Dory to your vet to have that lump examined. Your vet may need to test it (fine needle aspirate) to determine what kind it is. I don't think it is an emergency but I try to get her in for an exam in the next few days. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dog has had this lump on her front right leg for about a month now and out of no were it got very big it is not solid it feels like fluids are inside but also doesn’t seem to bother her but I no it does I need answers so bad
Oh that's quite large! This could be a cyst, benign tumor, or 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 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 Mj's vet a call to make her an appointment. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m curious to what this lump on my pup could be , I jus notice it today . It does feel hard . But she does bite in the are a lot . should I take her to the vet? Looks like it’s on the top of her back leg bone .
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. 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

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Toys Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Dog Collars, Leashes & Harnesses Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Blood Pressure Medication Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dog Pill Capsules DOG by Dr Lisa Dermalone Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Orbax Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Orbax Prescription Dog Antibiotics Clindamycin Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Sulfodene Dog Health & Wellness Neo-Poly-Dex Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Lactated Ringers Dog Medicine and Prescriptions OxyMed Dog Pain Medicine & Relief Collagen Care Dog Treats & Chews
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored