My dog has a swollen lump on his elbow, now hard. What is it?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could also be a hygroma. 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!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From your pictures it appears Logan has an elbow hygroma. A hygroma is a fluid-filled swelling caused by repeated trauma. These non-painful swellings typically occur over a pressure point or bony prominence such as the outside elbow. A non-infected hygroma is largely just a cosmetic worry. You can try to help by adding extra padding to bedding and buying special elbow pads. With this type of therapy it is possible to have it resolve with in several weeks. Infected hygromas require surgical intervention. I hope this helps and I wish Logan the best!

He probably has an elbow hygroma from lying on a hard surface. Encourage him to lie on a soft, padded surface. Have him examined by your vet, he/she could bandage the area to provide extra padding or fit him for a specialy made wrap from Dog Leggs. http://www.dogleggs.com/standard-length-adjustable-dogleggs/

Hello. Louie is very young to develop any masses, but it is possible. It is also possible that he injured the joint & this is joint fluid collecting under the skin. The most likely possibility is this is a hygroma. What has probably happened is Louie was resting on a fairly hard surface & the pressure of his weight has created tissue damage over the elbow bones. A fluid pocket forms as the body tries to produce its own cushioning. I do encourage you to have your veterinarian examine this, but do change his bedding to something much softer & pliant, as the hygroma may simply begin to resolve on its own over the next 2-3 weeks. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello! This would not worry me too much as it looks suspicious for a benign growth or related to pressure from sitting/laying on his elbow. However the only way to know for sure would be to see it in person and to sample it. If it is recently noticed, I think it would be ok to monitor it for growth or irritation and have it sampled if you have any concerns. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Henry is weight-bearing on that leg, his energy level is high and he has good appetite you can try and rest him for a few days. Walk him on leash only and do not let him jump or run the stairs. If the swelling and pain is only due to muscle inflammation or mild sprain, everything should be back to normal in a few days time. However, if Henry looks in pain, doesn't want to eat or play, you should get him checked by your local vets sooner.

Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps can be any of these things: * abscess (infection) * cyst * cancer (benign or malignant) * wart * hygroma * hernia Unfortunately, there is no way I can tell you what it is with 100% certainty just based on your description or by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion that you are correct and it is a hygroma. If you are worried it is always best to get something like this checked out sooner rather than later.