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My dog has a movable lump on her leg, limping, and won't bear weight.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 65 lbs

Found a lump on my dog's ankle, the size of a quarter and it moves or "floats" around when I touch it, is not red or hot to the touch. I noticed it when Katie began limping last night and within hours it got bigger (started out the size of a nickel) and she will not put any weight on it at all now. ?? Please help!!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Kristin DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 12th, 2018

This appears to be swelling in the knee joint. What we would consider the "ankle" is much lower in the leg. There can be a pocket of joint fluid on the inside of the leg. It is possible this is a skin lump at the exact spot of this fluid pocket, but I doubt it. I suspect she is not putting weight on the leg because she injured the knee, and now as the swelling increases it is becoming more and more painful. I recommend she be seen by a veterinarian to check the stability of the knee to determine if she ruptured her crainial cruciate ligament or CCL (which is like a human's ACL).

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