What's causing my dog's painful lump near her anus? Is it serious?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 62 lbs
My lab has a deep hotspot” ( idk if it’s a hotspot) on the right side of her anus? It is making her miserable! Please help
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 15th, 2019
Hello. This is definitely not a hotspot. You need to have your veterinarian evaluate this as soon as possible, especially since she is so miserable. I do hope you can have her seen soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 22nd, 2017
It would be much more helpful if you could repost your question with a photo or photos. It is difficult to give advice without seeing it. It does not sound serious at this time but you should take her to the vet for an exam in the next week or so if it does not resolve. Any abnormal finding should be checked by your vet. I hope this helps. Feel free to repost with photos if you can.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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
Health & Wellbeing
So my doggy,pitbull x sharpei almost 4 years old has a red pea size lump just above his anus and the skin above looks swollen,what could this be? And what can I do to help til I can get him to the vet? Please and thankyou
Hi there! Thanks for using Boop by Petco! I definitely recommend that you have him examined by your veterinarian so that diagnostics can be performed to see if any therapy will be needed based on the findings. Your veterinarian will likely perform a test called a fine needle aspirate which helps to identify the origin of a mass. I would just leave the area alone and try to avoid contact with the irritated portion. Otherwise, there is no particular need to do any sort of treatment at home in the meantime. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has developed small white lumps around her rectum and can't poop she has started to bite around the area causing bleeding
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. 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
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I just noticed a bluish bulge/lump near my dogs anus with blood on it, I believe it's a hemhorroid but would like to know for sure, It doesn't seem to be causing her pain or discomfort, and I would like to know what I can do for her (at home as well
It is hard to tell for sure by the pictures, but my suspicion would be that it is either a perianal tumor that has bled, or potentially a ruptured anal sac abscess. I would highly encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. If it is an abscess then antibiotics will likely be needed. If it is a tumor then the veterinarian can discuss options with you. Often perianal tumors are benign. I think getting a diagnosis is the first step and then you can gather information and make decisions from there. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What is this lump/ blister near my dog's anus?
It's a little difficult to tell from your picture alone - being able to examine and touch a lump in person makes it much easier to determine what it is. This could be a skin tumor, a small abscess or inflammatory nodule, or a lesion from something like contact hypersensitivity. I would recommend having this lump examined by your veterinarian since it looks red and possibly like there is discharge. If he is licking or chewing at the lump you should put an e-collar on him until you can see a veterinarian. They may know what it is after being able to examine it or may recommend taking an aspirate sample using a small needle to look for cells under the microscope.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I noticed a black pigment on my dog's anus several months ago and it seems to be getting larger and darker. I am attaching a before and after photo. The pigment is not raised. Should I be concerned? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This is unlikely to be something of concern and most likely represents a region of pigmentation. However, I recommend you keep a close eye on it and if at some point it appears to become a mass, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Taffy seems to have a serious hot spot on her butt area and it has a wound. It has stopped bleeding but we are looking to confirm it and treat it to prevent possible infection and to cure the hot spot if it is one. Thanks!
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Taffy! Goodness! I do not think that is a hot spot! It appears to be an anal gland abscess that has ruptured. I would have Taffy seen by your Vet Monday for an exam and to have the wound flushed, the other anal gland expressed, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories started. Anal gland abscesses are infections with in the anal glands from allergies or thickened anal gland material that have become impacted and can't be expressed with normal defecation. Usually the first signs of anal gland problems are scooting and excessive licking of the anal area. Though some dogs do neither. I wish Taffy the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Recently noticed a raised lump directly above my 9 month old English bulldog’s anus. She hasn’t seemed bothered by it and her stools have been normal. What could this be? (Sorry for the poor photo quality. She, understandably, isn’t fond of having ph
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. It is difficult to see in the picture you provided to say for sure what this could be. This could be an insect bite or an infected hair follicle / pimple. I would keep an eye on this for the next 3-5 days and if it does not go away or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What’s this bump on my dogs bum? It’s near her anus but I don’t think it’s close enough to be an issue with her anal glands. She had them expressed about 2 months ago. No scooting, licking or issues pooping or peeing. All updated on shots and is on m
Hello. You are correct, this is nowhere near Lea's anal glands. What I can not discern is if this is a small tumor or an area of local irritation. It might be best to have your veterinarian take a close look to make sure this is not something that requires immediate action or treatment. Thanks for contacting Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I noticed a few days ago that my dog has a small bump right beside his anus. Pictures attached. What could this be and what would be the possible treatment. I'll be consulting a vet , just wanted a second opinion. Thanks.
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. Based on the location, often times these tumors are benign in nature and are known as perianal adenomas though about 10% are malignant and again it could be really any other tumor type. 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 him 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
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