Question :

I noticed a red bump on my female Maltese (8 yrs. old) leg. The bump is on her right outside upper leg the size of a green pea. It is raised out, semi hard and somewhat prickly looking. It doesn’t seem to bother her. I found it when I was petting her.

Thank you,
Marsha Kenchel

Answer :

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the pictures, this is very helpful.

While not being able to give you a precise diagnosis on the basis of the picture, I can recommend NOT to ignore that small lump.

If due to a foreign object (torn, grass awn) or an infection, it would most certainly bother your dog.

On the contrary, a raised, congested, non itchy lump is likely to be a small skin growth.

I recommend to visit your local vet and request a Fine Needle Aspiration. I would worry about the following possibilities:
- Mast cell tumour
- Malignant Histiocytoma
- Spindle cell tumour

If any of the above surgical removal with wide margins would be advisable.

Best wishes,

julien

www.vetstoria.com