My dog has a growing, bloody lump on his paw. What should I do?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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  Answered By Ana M, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 21st, 2020

  Thank you for submitting your question regarding Chevy. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He appears to have a mass on his paw. The veterinarian will likely use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This will help to diagnose the mass as cancerous or benign. Surgery may be needed. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent him from licking the paw. I hope this information helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Ana M, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 7th, 2018

  Thank you for submitting the pictures of Chewie's leg. It appears like he has a mass growing on it. I do recommend he sees his veterinarian to have it evaluated. Typically a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate is performed. Cells are collected and the veterinarian looks at them under the microscope. The goal is to determine if the mass is potentially cancerous or not. There are two common skin masses that can look like Chewie's. One is a cancerous mass known as a mast cell tumor. This can be an aggressive form of skin cancer and would need to be surgically removed. The other is a benign skin growth known as a histiocytoma. This mass doesn't usually cause problems and can regress on its own over 2-3 months. I hope this helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Ana M, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 6th, 2019

  Thank you for submitting your question regarding Diamond. She appears to have a mass that has grown on her leg. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian to have it evaluated. She will need a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate to determine if the mass is cancerous or not. The veterinarian will use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. There is a benign growth known as a histiocytoma that is more common in young dogs. There is also an aggressive cancerous mass known as a mast cell tumor that can have the same outward appearance. If it is cancerous, the mass will be difficult to remove given its location. In the meantime, do not allow her to lick the mass. I hope this information helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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  Answered By Ana M, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on September 20th, 2018

  Thank you for submitting your question regarding Gizmo. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. If it is a wound that has opened up, then he will likely require antibiotic treatment. If it is a mass growing on his skin, then a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate will likely be performed. The veterinarian will use a small needle to collect cells to evaluate under the microscope. This will hopefully give you a diagnosis on the type of mass. A histiocytoma is a common benign growth on the extremities of young dogs. A mast cell tumor is an aggressive form of skin cancer that can have the same outward appearance. In the meantime, do not let him lick the area. I hope this information helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful