My dog's leg lump is growing, raw, and oozing pus. Is it serious?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Given the fact that it is growing quickly, a malignant tumor is more likely. 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

This can be one of two things: 1) a small abscess that has ruptured. 2) a small tumor that did not have enough room to grow and therefore started to ulcerate and finally ruptured. Since it is on a leg and deep, you should have your veterinarian have a look at it, to see whether any vital structures are involved and whether it is a tumor that needs to be removed.

That is a large, lobulated lump (no just one defined lump) in a location that would generally never have something like a swollen lymph nodes. I recommend making an appointment with your vet for a fine needle aspirate (where they aspirate cells from the mass and put them on a slide to be sent out for review) to determine if it is an abscess or a tumor/cancer of some sort. Best wishes for Diesel!

Without a physical exam or diagnostics, it is difficult to determine if this is something to worry over. Ideally, a fine needle aspirate or biopsy should be done to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. X-rays of the limb may be recommended to rule out bony involvement. Since you state it is growing, it should be removed before it becomes too large. As it is, that is a difficult area to close after a mass removal.

I'm sorry Pogo has this going on. Many things can cause what you describe, but I am suspicious that it might be an infected and now ruptured tumor. This could be benign or malignant, but should be evaluated quickly. Your veterinarian may have to treat the infection before they can diagnose what the lump may be. In the mean time warm compresses may help it drain and make Pogo feel better. Keep him indoors and away from flies or the wound will be full of maggots in a day. Good luck to both of you! I hope he improves quickly.

I suspect your veterinarian is correct. When masses get to the point that they begin to ooze or break open, they need to be removed, even if they are not cancerous. Masses can outgrow their blood supply and this can be a reason to see that oozing. Masses can also get infected and this could cause that oozing. I recommend to play it safe and have Brian examined by his veterinarian today to make sure antibiotics are not needed. Make sure to protect the masses from itching, scratching or rubbing. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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!