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My dog is licking her groin. What are these lumps and dark spots? Vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | English Pointer | Female | spayed | 11 years and 3 months old

My dog is of the Pointer breed, she’s always had these small moles on her body, none of which were ever seemingly a problem. I noticed her licking more around her groin area when I discovered this larger lump and these dark spots. What could be the cause of these spots and do I need to take her in for further testing?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on April 14th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

The pinker skin growths in your first picture tend to be benign and are sebaceous adenomas. For some reason some dogs grow a lot of them. The pinker bump in her groin could be the same type of growth or different. If you never noticed it before and she is now licking it it could be infected or a mast cell tumor. The darker spots are darken skin from licking. It could also be a skin infection but it is hard to tell from just pictures.

My recommendation is to have your Vet examine that larger lump and the skin in her groin. She may just need antibiotics and itch relief but worse case she may need the growth removed if it is suspicious.

I wish Honey the best!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on December 27th, 2016
Pink bumps on the belly and groin area are most often a sign of a bacterial skin infection called pyoderma - this can occur on its own, or due to an underlying skin condition like allergies, fleas, or skin mites (mange). If the bumps aren't bothering her much and are confined to a fairly small area, you can try using a topical antibiotic spray on the area to see if this helps.

If there is no improvement in the next 7-10 days, or if the bumps become itchy or painful or seem to be spreading, it would be best to take her to the vet for an exam, as she may need oral antibiotics or other prescription medication to treat the problem effectively.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 16th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Without pictures it is difficult to say for sure what the problem is. This could be a reaction to the shampoo you used. If this is a severe allergic reaction, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Stella so that the most appropriate treatment can be administered. Injectable benadryl and a steroid may be the best option to reduce this reaction, if it is a reaction. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. You can use Well and Good Hydrocortisone Spray, which you can find at your local Petco.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 9th, 2017
There is not much more you can do at home besides a bath. If they continue to spread and get more inflamed, than he should be taken to your vet to see if it is an environmental allergy or an infection. If they seem to be improving you can continue to monitor for further changes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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