Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a red spot on her nose that's growing. Should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 4 years and 2 months old | 45 lbs

My dog got a red spot pop up on her nose and I thought it was just a scrape and going away but it is starting to get bigger. Do I need to take her in? What could it be?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 29th, 2024

Ouch! Due to how inflamed that looks I would definitely schedule a vet visit ASAP. Sudden growths/irritations like that can be due to a number of things including bacterial infections, tumors, irritation from digging/rubbing at the spot too much, allergies, etc so it's good to see your vet. They'll likely want to take a sample of the area to determine what is going on and how best to treat it.

In the meantime, it's a good idea to place an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Nova to keep her from rubbing at the spot, as well as keep the area clean and dry. If the area is rapidly growing in size, taking note of the size, color, shape changes, etc can help your vet better determine what is going on. If you are noticing any other symptoms (sneezing, fever, loss of appetite, etc) these are important to let your vet know as well.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH
Veterinarian
Published on October 30th, 2017
Hi there and thanks for posting again!

The area on his nose looks like there is some discharge coming from it and also looks red and perhaps ulcerated from the picture.

If it is growing larger and not getting any better, then we may be dealing with something a little more concerning that a scrape. It is hard to say what the lesion is without taking a fine needle aspirate sample of it first or an impression smear of the area to determine the cause. This should be done by your local veterinarian. After your vet interprets the results, then it can be determined how best to treat it and if it needs to be removed or not. It may be due to a bacterial or fungal infection or it may be a tumor of some kind. It is hard to say without taking a sample of the area first.

I hope you are able to take Max into see his veterinarian soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growing spot on her nose. What is it and what can I do?

Ouch! Any new or suddenly growing growth like this should be checked out by your vet in person ASAP. Allergies, infections, skin irritation from rubbing it on things, and some growths and tumors can all cause spots like that on the nose, and can also cause rapid changes and discoloration like this. Until you can get to your vet, I would place an Elizabethan (cone) collar on Amber and keep the spot clean and dry to help reduce any further irritation. It is also a good idea to monitor the size and shape of it and how rapidly it is changing as this can help your vet figure out what may be going on. Your vet will likely take a full history as well as a potential sample of the spot to see what cells are present and provide treatment as needed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a strange growth on her nose. Should I take her to the vet?

This presentation could be due to a trauma or localized spot of skin infection (likely to be caused by bacteria or fungal infection). A check up, appropriate disinfection and possibly antibiotics (oral, topical or in a shampoo formulation) are needed to solve the problem. Disinfection may be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking (if any). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growing black bump on her nose. Should I worry?

Ouch! That is a concerning sign, especially since the bump is a different color from the regular skin, and is growing in size. Since it's hard to tell what a bump is without an exam and sample (biopsy, fine needle aspirate), it's best to bring Coco into your vet to have it looked at. They can take the sample, check what kind of growth it is, and safely remove it if needed. In the meantime, keeping an eye on how fast it's growing/size, and keeping Coco from pawing at it or rubbing it can help keep it from getting infected or more irritated.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What's this bare skin patch under my dog's snout? Should I see a vet?

If the spot has changed in size over time it wouldn't hurt to have your vet take another look at it, especially if the change was very rapid over the past few days or weeks. Your vet may recommend taking a sample of the spot for testing to help determine what it may be so it can be treated as needed. Growths like this can be caused by any number of things including rubbing the spot often on surfaces, cysts, blisters, allergies, etc, so having it examined if it is changing is best.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a growing sore on her snout. Should I take her to the vet?

Given that this sore on Trixy has grown, I would have her seen by the vet. The sore could be caused by a skin infection caused by bacteria or yeast, or it could be ringworm. The only way to know how to treat it is to have it diagnosed, and the vet is the person to make the correct diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been made, the vet can prescribe treatment. I would take her into the vet in the next couple of days. I hope this helps, best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a weird spot on his nose getting worse. Vet visit?

I would have that checked out by a vet. This lesion is concerning for certain fungal and parasitic lesions that can get much worse if left too long. I also worry about skin cancer in white-faced dogs, so it will be good to have this ruled-out as a potential cause. No need to panic, just get it checked out in a day or two. For now, you can keep the wound clean by blotting it with a cloth soaked in warm water. Do this twice a day and avoid scrubbing.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a growing white spot on her nose. Is it a papilloma?

Poor Xena! If it has been growing, it wouldn't hurt to bring her back into the vet and have a sample taken. This can help determine if it's just discoloration or if there is something more serious ongoing. Another good thing to do is take photos of the spot over time, with a ruler or other measurable item next to it. This can help you and your vet see if the area is growing, and by how much and how quickly which is useful in determining what is going on.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share