Dog licking paw constantly, no limp. Is something stuck or a growth?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. This looks to be a histiocytoma tumor which is a benign tumor commonly found on the limbs and face of dogs. It is a benign tumor that usually will regress on its own within a few weeks/months with no treatment. Of course, I am just guessing. It is impossible to diagnose these things via the internet with just a photo. Here is an information sheet about histiocytomas in dogs for you to read. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skin-cutaneous-histiocytoma ) He should not be licking the tumor - if he is, you need to get him a cone collar to wear to stop that behavior. If he is just licking the paw, that is not likely related to the tumor and is a different issue. As always, if you are worried, you should take him to your vet for an exam. Best wishes.

This could be due to an infection and possibly a foreign body reaction. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Swelling could be secondary to the licking or the cause for the licking. I would recommend you have your vet check it out. Allergies are probably the most common cause of licking the feet, but it can also be caused by fleas, bacterial or yeast infection pain in the foot or joint, a sticker or something under the skin, etc. After an exam, the vet may do a cytology or x-rays to see what is going on. Until Justice sees the vet, you may want to prevent licking by using an e-collar, since licking it may cause damage and infection in the skin.

I see what you mean about the growth. I would be concerned about it because it's clearly bothering Apple Crisp, and the fact that she is an older dog. Any growth in an older dog has a chance of being malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the 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 lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment. Until she sees the vet, put a cone on her to keep her from licking the growth. I hope this helps!

If this isn't resolving, I doubt that it's a simple "cut". Couple of things to think about: if Zoey is licking this (which it appears to me that she might be, given that the skin is darkly pigmented) this could be something called a lick granuloma. Typically the treatment for that is to keep the dog from licking, and investigate whether there is an underlying allergy. At this point it's reasonable to consider taking a biopsy of the area, which may help to get an exact diagnosis. I would also consider checking for mites (mange) and even ringworm, which is a fungal infection.

I'm sorry to hear that Zoe seems so uncomfortable! She may have experienced a soft tissue injury (strain/sprain), ligament tear, loose kneecap (luxating patella) or fracture of her hind leg. Your best bet is to take her to the vet to determine the cause of this lameness so that it can be treated appropriately. Keep Zoe restricted to a crate or very small room until her vet appointment to prevent her from running, jumping or playing as this could exacerbate any existing injury. The most common cause of hair loss on her tail and paws is underlying allergies (to fleas, food or the environment). Be sure that she is receiving a high quality flea preventative (such as Nexgard, Bravecto or Advantix) regularly. Bathe her with a gentle oatmeal-based dog shampoo. If she has sores and papules, there is a chance that Zoe may also have a skin infection caused by her licking/scratching. If this is the case, antibiotics or medicated shampoos may be needed. I hope that she feels better soon!

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