My dog has a bump on his paw. Should I be concerned about it?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 3 years and 6 months old | 38 lbs
So I came back home from work and I noticed a bump on my dogs foot. I don’t know if he was playing outside and he happened to hit it or if it’s something I should be concerned about. Help?
Poor Bruno! Bumps under the skin can be caused by a variety of conditions, including abscesses, inflammation from soft tissue injuries, fractures, or bone tumors (unlikely given his young age), among others. It would be best to take Bruno to his vet for an exam and possible diagnostic testing. The vet will be able to feel the lump, assess his gait, and may need to take x-rays or perform cytology under the microscope with fluid/tissue from the lump. That said, if Bruno is walking completely normally, not licking the affected area, and is otherwise eating, drinking, and acting like himself, this type of lesion does not warrant a trip to an emergency vet and can wait a day or two, if needed. I hope this helps and that Bruno is on the mend soon!