My dog's paw is swollen with a lump and pus. Is it broken or infected?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would have this looked at by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend having x-rays taken of the toe to make sure the toe is not broken. If there is no broken bones, then I worry about a bacterial infection and he may need to be placed on oral antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

The bump you are seeing could be a mass, or it could be a skin lesion caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, or could be a combination of the above. I recommend making an appointment to have your dog seen by your veterinarian to help determine the cause of the bump you’ve noticed and to make sure it is treated appropriately. The vet will likely want to look at a sample from the area under the microscope to determine what is causing the bump and to provide treatment. . In the meantime, if he is licking the area, I recommend putting an e-collar/cone on him to help prevent licking and reduce the risk of infection.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is definitely concerning that the lump has increased in size so quickly, as older dogs are typically more likely to develop cancers. The lump can also be an infection or cyst. I recommend having this seen by a vet as soon as possible - they can take a small sample from the growth to determine exactly what it is and recommend the appropriate treatment. I hope all is well!

Poor Hugo! If this lump is infected, he will need to see a vet. I also think it would be a good idea to have this lump examined, as it may be caused by a foreign body (such as a grass seed) that needs to be removed. I would take him into the vet today to have his paw examined. The vet can see if there is a foreign body causing the lump, remove it, and give him pain medications and antibiotics. Please do not give Hugo any human pain medications, many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

She could have an infection, fracture, or foreign material in her toe. She should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat. Your vet can take an xray to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. She may need an antibiotic for an infection or she may need a splint if a fracture is found. If you can't get her to a vet and it looks like she could have an infection, you could soak her paw in a warm Epsom Salt solution and see if that helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It looks like this could be a benign or malignant growth. This is possibly what is causing her pain. 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. They could start pain control medications if she appears to be painful. Good luck and have a good day!

This sounds like an abscess or pocket of infection. She may have something in the paw that caused this or it may be from an injury. I recommend a veterinary exam and she will probably need antibiotics. They will check it to see if they can find the cause so it doesn’t happen again. As she’s young I would have this checked right away. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Luna.