My dog has dark bumps & discolored vulva. Is it an emergency?

This presentation could be due to a localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. 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. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

Unfortunately, without images or a physical exam, it is difficult to determine exactly what is going on with your dog. There are [multiple potential causes](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/skin-ulcers-and-draining-lesions/) for the symptoms. That said, black or bluish discoloration of the skin may indicate necrosis (dying off of normal tissue) or a severe inflammatory reaction (if mainly black and also coarse to the touch). I would suspect a potential spider/centipede bite or severe yeast infection (if mainly black and coarse to the touch) or severe [vaginitis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vaginitis/) are potential causes which should also be looked at by your vet ASAP. If this is a spider/centipede bite, it should be treated quickly with steroid therapy to stop the reaction from spreading and causing systemic (whole body) illness. Place an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent licking until she sees the vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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 Macy evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

Based on the photos you provided, it appears as though Kahlua may have a skin infection with the red bumps on the abdomen and near her vulva. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment can be recommended. She will likely need an oral antibiotic as well as topical therapy to treat this. The vulva can be assessed more closely on examination as well. Please let me know if you have any further questions and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Those black specks are basically blackheads (comedones) and the bump is likely a follicular cyst. Nothing is too worriesome. I would use a Benzoyl Peroxide product like for acne. NOT hydrogen peroxide. I suggest this one. The ones you buy over the counter for humans are not the correct strength. This product is more concentrated. ( http://www.allivet.com/p-7689-benzoyl-peroxide-gel-5.aspx ) If no improvement in about 7-10 days then you should get her to your vet for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thank you for the photo of the lump on the side of Lily's vulva, I can see it clearly in the photo. From the photo, it doesn't appear to be ulcerated, bleeding, or look otherwise "nasty" on the outside. That doesn't necessarily rule out it being a malignant lump, but this appearance is better than it being what I described above, if that makes sense. While there is a chance it could be malignant, given her age, there is also a possibility that it could simply be a benign growth, a good possibility given its appearance. Again, I can't say that for certain, but benign growths and malignant growths tend to have certain characteristics, and appearance can be one of those characteristics (but not always!). Sorry that I can't be more specific, but unfortunately I cannot be specific without seeing her in person. I do think it's good that you are having her seen by a vet for this, especially since it has grown in size a little, and waiting another 10 days does not seem like a big deal in this case. If you are especially concerned, you can ask to be put on the cancellation list, where they can call you a spot opens up sooner. I hope this helps!

This lump/growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, inflammatory polyp, infections or benign or malignant type of tumors (extremely unlikely given the age). 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!