Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog has a red bump on his toe behind the nail. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Goldendoodle | Male | unneutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 18 lbs

Large red bump on top of dogs toe on front foot. On top of toe right behind nail, not between toes.

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 January 15th, 2020

That looks like a 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 Scout's vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a red cyst like a bump on her right paw on the first toenail
Hi, and thanks for your question. 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
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My almost 3 year old dog has developed this growth on the top of her paw next right at her toe . It’s red and looks as if it’s scabbing. What sound it be?
This may 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my 10 year old boxer has a large red lump on the top of his right back paw. It is between the toes back away from his nails. You can touch it and he does not show signs of pain but it looks like it would hurt. What could it be?
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. Common tumors in this region include melanomas, squamous cell carcinomas, mast cell tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, among others. 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 night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog had a cracked nail and he was licking it frequently. He did not really let us touch his paw but over time this large bump formed behind the nail. He doesn’t cry or limp he just locks it all the time. Any idea what this could be?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be a site of inflammation. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Remington evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Have a 3yr old GSD with a small bump under one nail. Seemed sore yesterday and was limping and licking, today was able to touch his paw and check ... looks almost a bit like dirt but doesn't come off... Wondering if something I need to worry about?
It is very difficult to tell from these photos, it is possible that your dog's toe nail became slightly torn/detached from the underlying nail bed and you are seeing the separation here. We can, however, occasionally see nail bed tumors. I would recommend a visit with your vet to better examine the area. If it is a loose toenail they may need to trim it back to make it more comfortable until it grows back in normally. This can be very tough to do at home because often these guys are painful so trimming the nail back can be really difficult without skilled help!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
What is this lump on my dog's paw? Should I be worried? Is this an emergency?
This could be a cyst or a growth of some sorts. 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. It's not an emergency, but give Oscar's vet a call in the morning to make him an appointment. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
So my dog has a small bump on her lower left side of her back. It's about the size of a pinkie fingernail. It is firm not squishy. I noticed it about 6 maybe 8 months ago. It has not grown since I noticed it. It can be seen on her back in the light.
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'd give Roxy'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 on one of his back lega a bulge started growing on one if his toes. Sometimes is very red then normal color. What could it be?
Hello and thank you for using Boop by Petco. A growth like Spike has on his toe could be related to infection, a benign mass like a cyst, but unfortunately it could also be a cancerous growth. It would be best to schedule a visit to your veterinarian so that he or she can obtain a small needle aspirate sample from the growth and decide if it is cancerous. A lot of growths on the toes can be cured if removed surgically. I hope for the best outcome for Spike!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my dog has a large lump on her toe and it’s red
I hate to hear this is happening to your pup! I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian. Skin masses can be many things but red raised masses are especially concerning for a skin cancer called a Mast Cell tumor. Your veterinarian will need to collect a sample of cell to examine under the microscope to determine what this is and if further treatment is needed. another common reason for a lesion like this is a foreign object trapped under the skin. Fox tails have a tendency to do this and generally need to be removed and the lesion lanced. Have this checked out soon. Protect the area from licking by having Dog wear an elizabethan collar at all times. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I'v noticed this bump on his toe. It doesn't seem to bother him at all, even when I touch it. Any idea on what it is or how to get rid of it?
That looks like an infection. It could be bacterial, mites, allergies, a foreign body in the skin or yeast infection. At home you can wash it daily with an antibacterial soap (rinse it well). Make sure he is not licking or scratching it (use an elizabethan collar if needed). If it is not getting better or if it is getting worse within a week, then take him into the vet for an exam. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Nail Caps Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors Dog Paw & Nail Care Dog Nail Files & Grinders Dog Health & Wellness Cat Nail Caps Cat Nail Care Antifungal Medication for Dogs Cat Styptic Powder Soft Claws Dog Paw & Nail Care Soft Claws Dog Nail Caps Bissell Dog Paw & Nail Care Pet Product Innovations Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors Curicyn Dog Paw & Nail Care Pet Product Innovations Dog Paw & Nail Care Pet Life Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors Pet Life Dog Paw & Nail Care Well & Good Dog Paw & Nail Care Bissell Dog Nail Clippers & Scissors
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored