What is this firm, draining bump on my dog's paw and what should I do?

Ouch! With any new growth like this, it's best to have your vet take a look in person, as it isn't really possible to determine what is causing the growth just from a photo. Your vet can take a sample of the growth as needed with a fine-needle aspirate, or biopsy, to check what cell type is present and if the spot needs further attention. Other causes can be calluses from rubbing, scabbing from a wound or infection under the skin, or other issues. Until you can get to the vet, it's best to keep the area clean and dry and prevent Ginger from licking or chewing at it with an Elizabethan (cone) collar or sock over the spot. Monitoring it for any additional changes such as size, oozing debris, pain, etc, is also a good idea as these observations can help your vet narrow down the cause and best treatment plan.

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.

This could be an infected cyst, mass or abscess. I recommend Mugzi get checked out by a veterinarian as this may need to be drained and antibiotics may be needed. In the meantime try to keep Mugzi from licking or chewing at the area and do not give him any medication as it can be toxic to dogs.

Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps can be any of these things: * abscess (infection) * cyst * cancer (benign or malignant) * wart There is no way I can tell you for sure what it is just based on your description or by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion that this may be a histiocytoma (benign tumor). ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

Hello. This looks like a small cyst, nothing too worrisome. It may pop & if it does, just clean the area with a good skin antiseptic like Hibiclens ( available at all pharmacies ). A warm compress or soaking the foot in warm water for 10 minutes 2-3 times per day may bring things to a head sooner, but this does not appear to be at all dangerous. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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!

Given Rambo's age, it is less likely that he has a growth or mass of serious concern. However, without a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy of the lesion it is impossible to know. Given its appearance in the pictures, it looks like it was likely either some type of tumor or cyst that underwent too much pressure from fluid build up, and subsequently ruptured. In terms of treatment, you are doing most everything you can at home already. Some recommendations though: I would not use peroxide as this can actually delay the healing process I would not keep the area covered too closely or tightly as this can encourage reinfection I would instead place a cone or collar on Rambo to prevent licking or self-mutiation, as this still allows the area to be open to the air. In terms of what to do next or how to find out what you are seeing, you can do two different things. The first is simply wait and see what happens when the area heals. If it never grows back, great new! The second option would be to take him to the vet and try to obtain a sample for analysis. You can also wait to do this if you want when and if the lesion grows back.