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Why won't my dog's paw sore heal? Swelling and strange growth.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 2 years and 1 month old

Hi, my black Labrador (male, 2 yrs, neutered) has an open sore on the bottom of his paw surrounded by swelling. Onset seemed sudden to me; one day he started limping heavily, i noticed swelling, and a couple days later I noticed the sore. It seems painful.He has been on Cephalex for 2 weeks & the sore is getting larger in diameter and the swelling hasn't come down. We have been to the vet twice. hard yellow and black substances "growing" out of it in points/ peaks. Any ideas?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 3rd, 2017

At. This point, I would surgically explore that lesion. There may be a foreign body in there, there may be a small mass or tumor inside, but at least it should be surgically debrided. Debriding it will remove all of the dead necrotic tissue. It should be kept clean by doing daily bandage changes and your pet likely needs a different antibiotic. If this was a routine infection that was responsive to Cephalexin, it would be better by now.
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