My senior dog's skin tag is irritated, swollen, and dark. Is it dangerous?

Hi and thank you for posting your question! From the picture, it looks like a skin tag which can grow over time and become larger. Usually these are not anything to worry too much about, although if it starts to become larger, red, swollen, or infected, you may want to have your veterinarian take a closer look. You can always have the mass aspirated and a sample sample taken from it to see if it is anything concerning. That is the only way to really definitively diagnosis any mass. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope this has helped!

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is always a good idea to seek a hands on veterinary visit, especially as a dog ages & new questions about health arise. Based on your pictures, it is possible that the discolored areas are indeed a reaction to the heat rash. Dog skin will often respond with the production of dark pigments ( melanin ) especially when a condition becomes chronic. As long as the area is not showing signs of a moist dermatitis & there is no significant redness or inflammation, then you can continue to treat the area topically. Skin tags are a common benign polyp, again fairly common as dogs age. The discharge also is probably a benign & normal accumulation of secretions. If each or any of the above become more concerning, then it really is in Nemo's best interest to have things thoroughly looked at & dealt with early on. Take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thank you for the pictures. Sadly I do not think the growth is a skin tag. I don't like the color or the bubble protuberance. It still could be benign but it doesn't have the typical skin tag appearance. I would have it removed and biopsied. I wish you and Bam the best!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. It does look like a skin tag, but I can't say for 100% certainty without seeing Luna in person. It is worth getting checked out by a vet just to make sure it is a skin tag and not something more serious. I hope this helps!

It's hard to tell for sure from those pictures but that may just be a pigment change on Tara's skin. Pigment changes can occur normally as a dog ages. To be safe, I'd recommend taking Tara to see a veterinarian for assessment of the area. If necessary a small needle sample can be taken of the area to ensure it's not a concern. At minimum I'd suggest monitoring the area for changes and definitely take Tara to the vet if is changes in size, shape, color or if it bleeds or has any kind of discharge. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello, Smurf's skin tag may not be much to be worried about since it has been there for over a year. However it is not your typical skin mass in terms or color and appearance and some of those dark pigmented skin masses can be malignant. The only way to really know though is by removing it. I would consult with your veterinarian about removing the mass and submitting it for biopsy so that your can know for sure if it is benign or malignant. The mass is small so surgery shouldn't be too extensive, but they may require pre-surgical bloodwork and x-rays. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like a skin tag. However, the fact that the area is bald suggests that Tripp has been scratching or biting on it. Please, monitor the area for a few days. If you notice that the tag is getting bigger or if it is bothering Tripp, you should get him checked by your local vets. In that case, surgical removal of the wart may be necessary.