My dog's back toe has been swollen for months. Can I drain it at home?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The wound and swelling could be caused by a foreign body, like a splinter or a piece of grass seed that penetrated under the skin. If there is no improvement to antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications, Hjalmar should have the swelling lanced and flushed under sedation.

With it being close to the eye I would be careful with draining it. Your could try to put a warm damp cloth on it twice a day to see if that helps. If it isnt improving then I would take her to your vet for an exam. Your vet will be able to prescribe her some stronger ointment, oral antibiotics and drain it if needed. I hope this helps!!

Yes, best to have her checked over and I would examine the fluid to understand its nature inflammatory or infectious. It has been there for a week so unlikely to go away in its own. Hope all goes well.

Hello, thank you for your question about Toby. I would NOT recommend draining this lesion at home! It is possible that the recent increase in size and the fluid area could be a secondary cyst. If Toby is otherwise acting normally and is not bothered by the area I think that it is ok to continue to monitor the area. If Toby is chewing/scratching at the area or seems uncomfortable I would recommend having him seen by your veterinarian. It is also possible that this area could have become infected and could require a course of antibiotics. Hope this helps, good luck!

Sometimes tumors can become cystic or fluid filled. In some cases we can drain these swellings but oftentimes they will refill. They may take just a day or two to refill, or months, and it is impossible to predict. If your dog is in otherwise good health I would talk to your vet about removing the growth or if they feel uncomfortable doing so, referring you to a veterinary surgeon with more experience removing large growths such as this. They may be willing to drain the swelling at your vet's office, just be warned that it can refill.

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!

That looks like an infection. It could be bacterial, mites, allergies, a foreign body in the skin or yeast infection. At home you can wash it daily with an antibacterial soap (rinse it well). Make sure he is not licking or scratching it (use an elizabethan collar if needed). If it is not getting better or if it is getting worse within a week, then take him into the vet for an exam. I hope this helps!