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My dog's leg hurts, he can't walk. Is it an insect bite or a growth?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Male | 3 years and 4 months old | 0.49 lbs

My dog got bitten by some type of insect near his leg and he in pain he can’t walk I’m trying to figure out what this is . Do you know what caused him to get this bit in his leg ? Do you know the symptom to this ?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 27th, 2017

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I don’t think that looks like a bite wound. It looks more like a growth that has ruptured. I recommend having a vet look at it. If he is licking it, it is infected and needs antibiotics. If he isn’t walking and he is licking it, it is painful. A closer look by a vet may locate a cause. Good luck and kisses to Guero!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 27th, 2017
This growth can be benign (non cancerous) or it can be cancerous. Right now the growth is infected and especially if Guero is licking at it he is making it worse.

This could have been something simple like a cysts that has ruptured and within licking at it created an infection.

I would recommend bringing him to a veterinarian and they can prescribe antibiotics, pain medications and an elizabethan collar.

If you cannot get to your veterinarian tomorrow I recommend going to a pet store and getting a collar so that way he doesn't lick at the growth and make it worse.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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