Big fluid-filled lump in dog's foot

by Shiami
(Sydney, Australia)

My boxer dog has this lump under his left paw. It doesn't seem to bother him except when he plays on rough surfaces. What could this be?

I mm taking him to the vet though my appointment is not till Friday. He is playing & eating well & being normal except for occasionally licking the wound only when he is playing outside as mentioned above.

What can I use just to soothe this wound till we get to see the vet?

He does lick whatever we apply so I need something that is not harmful even if he did.

I have been using a very diluted Apple cider vinegar organic as a wash & it seems to help but again I know it may sting as well. I need something that will probably cool it & I do try to keep the wound from getting moist as well.

Thanks,

Shiami

P.S. Wound is slightly better than what you can see in this pic.

Comments for
Big fluid-filled lump in dog's foot

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My Online Vet Response for: Big fluid-filled lump in dog's foot
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Shiami,
From the photo, the 'lump' could be a seroma, hematoma, abscess or a tumor. I only include tumor because you said he was a Boxer, and they are very prone to tumors and cancers.

A seroma or hematoma would be caused by hard trauma on a rough surface. Therefore, you should NOT allow him to exercise for the next 3-5 days.

Soaking his foot in warm water with Epsom salts for 5-10 minutes TWO times daily may bring an abscess to a head and allow it to rupture and drain. It may also help to increase the circulation to the area to allow a seroma or hematoma to be resorbed and shrink in size.

If it is a tumor, then he will need to be seen by your veterinarian on Friday. Or consider a visit to a holistic veterinarian for non-surgical options on healing tumors/cancer, etc. (First step would be NO more vaccinations!)

In the meantime...

Do the soaking, keep the area clean and dry, and do not apply anything topical to it, which will only draw his attention and make him like it more. And no exercise.

If this is due to trauma, then to prevent future recurrences he may need to wear 'booties' on his feet to provide protection.

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Fluid filled bump under paw
by: Shiami

Thank you,

It does hurt him because when we try to even look at it he moves away or wants to lick it.

I don't notice him limping, but yes, when he puts a lot of pressure I can see it hurts him . The wound is embedded inside his paw which makes me realize perhaps he stepped on something sharp somewhere.

I have prevented him from playing on the rough surface & being a boxer you can't keep them quiet they drive you crazy.I do crate him for now.

I will take him to the vet this Friday as am too worried to let it burst & drain although I can soak his feet which should sooth & help him.

He is well otherwise. In fact, he has stopped licking it these past two days though the size of the wound remains the same.

Diagnosis of the lump mentioned before
by: Shiami

Hello Dr Tillman,

We visited a holistic vet & we did in-house cytology & also sent the tissue from the lump to the labs for reconfirmation. As I suspected with young boxers it turned out both lumps were histiocytoma.

I have been soaking his feet in epsom salts for 10 mins twice a day. The vet also advised some cortisone cream, however after two days I stopped it as I felt the lump looked angrier when I applied that cream.

Would you also advice any other regime I may need to follow to help it heal? However, as you are aware apparently they regress with a couple of months on their own so I don't want to do too much with it.

Any advise much appreciated.

Thanks,
Shiami

My Online Vet Response for: Big fluid-filled lump in dog's foot
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Shiami,
So, with a diagnosis of histiocytoma, it is NOT actually fluid filled. Therefore, the Epsom salt soaks are not necessary. And anything topical that you apply, he will just lick off. Also, I recommend NO MORE vaccinations.

Vaccines contribute to a state called 'Sycosis' in homeopathic medicine. Also, commonly referred to as vaccinosis, when there is the formation of tumors and cancer appearing. I suggest having your holistic veterinarian write an exemption for your Boxer so he will not get anymore vaccinations. And, there are several homeopathic remedies that are indicated for 'vaccinosis' (when tumors are present).

A common one is called Thuya. It would be best to have a holistic veterinarian examine your dog and determine which remedy would be best, and what potency, and frequency would be the most appropriate, based on your dog's 'constitution'. Homeopathic remedies are given orally, either in dry pellet form, or dissolved in Spring Water.

Make sure that you are feeding him a healthy diet. NO DRY DOG FOOD. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options, and consider a RAW diet for him (NO raw pork or raw fish).

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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DISCLAIMER: This educational advice is based on the depth of your question and the picture you submitted. The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Related Pages:
- Dog Warts,
- Dog Skin Conditions,
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section

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