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Why does my dog have a red bump on her head that bleeds if scratched?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 5 years and 5 months old | 12 lbs

Hello my dog is a maltipoo. She developed a red bump that increased in size over 5 days. It bled after she scratched it. It seems to bother her mildly when I touch it. The bump: on her head and medial to the ear, 7mm diameter, red, non-blanching, doesn't appear to be filled with fluid or pus, clear border, no satellite lesions, no other rash. The dog is healthy otherwise, no medical issues, vaccinated. What could this bump be? Thank you in advance for your time and help.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 29th, 2017

According to the picture this looks like a wart that Lady scratched and now has a scab on it. Since she is bothering with it and seems uncomfortable I would take her to see your veterinarian. They can make sure it is nothing else like a scratch that got infected or a different type of growth that go infected and scabbed over. They also will be able to give her a topical ointment to place on the area to help with any type of infection. If this is something that continues to bother her or scab over I would recommend removing it so it does not continually get infected and bother her.

If she is scratching at it I would put an e-collar on her so she does not make it worse.

As dogs age it is very common for them to get more warts like these, some may bother them while others will not.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on April 12th, 2017
That can be removed easily by your veterinarian and at the same time medications can be given to stop the scratching/itching (usually steroid based ones are very effective).

Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation (where you can post pictures ) if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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