My puppy has a lump on its leg. What is it and what should I do?

Poor Zeus! The presence of pus suggests that this skin lesion is infected, and he should see a vet for it. An infected wound requires antibiotics to treat it, which the vet can prescribe. I would have him seen by a vet in the morning for this. Tonight, clean the wound with warm water and antiseptic soap, and keep him from licking at it. I hope this helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sebastian. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian as he appears to have a mass on his leg. His veterinarian will likely perform a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate to diagnose the mass. He could have a benign growth such as a histiocytoma that is common in young dogs. Unfortunately, an aggressive form of skin cancer known as a mast cell tumor is also possible. The two have the same outward appearance. An infection deep under the skin is also possible. Based on the diagnosis, the treatment will be different. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent him from licking the area. I hope this information helps!

I can see the small, raised, slightly red hairless lump on Hazel's paw in the photo. This may be a bug bite, localized skin infection, or a mass (which is less likely in younger dogs). I recommend having the area examined by a vet to determine the underlying cause and begin the appropriate treatment. In the meantime, you can get Hazel an E-collar or "cone" to prevent her licking the area and causing further trauma and irritation.

I can understand your concern for Kobe! Not to worry - this lesion looks most like a pustule (similar to a pimple). If Kobe has been itchy or has other similar lesions, although I don't see any others in the picture, this could be a skin infection (pyoderma). Otherwise, it may simply be a response to an injury either from biting or scratching at himself. I'm glad to hear that he's going to his vet tomorrow for further evaluation. I hope this helps to ease your concern for today and that all goes well for Kobe!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be an abscess or possibly a pulled muscle or inflammation. An exam would definitely be needed to know for sure what this is. I would highly recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Hopefully this is nothing serious. Best of luck!

It could be that Zeke has a cyst or a benign tumor causing this bump, and I would not squeeze it anymore. Instead, I would have him seen by a 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 bump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have him seen by a vet in the next couple of days to have this bump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.

This large lump looks very infected, you need to take him to the vet ASAP in order to get it checked and treated, if this is just an infection a course of antibiotics will be needed but it could be something worse than that.