Growth on Dog’s Leg – Wart or Benign Growth

My 11 year old Border Collie has had this growth on her leg since she was a pup. It has grown in size over the years but not caused a problem.

Today it seems ‘puffed up’ and has a couple of small blisters on the surface – when I gently touch them they seem to have fluid in them.

The whole lump is very soft and pliable and a healthy pink skin color – the photo probably makes the pink bit look redder than it actually is – the rest of the lump has darker pigmentation which is the same color as dark pigmentation on the rest of my dog’s body.

The color has not changed today, despite the increase in size/’puffiness’. Where it is attached to the leg, it is only about 5mm thick.

It usually feels quite cold to the touch, but has bled slightly on past occasions if she has caught it on something – the skin is quite fragile (but seems healthy).

She does not lick at it or bother it at all.

I would like to know what you think it is and what I should do – my vet said years ago it was a wart, but didn’t offer any solution.

My dog has always been fed a totally organic, raw meat/bones, offal and veg diet, has not been vaccinated, not treated with flea medication and is full of life (nobody ever believes that she is 11 years old!).

I don’t wish to subject her to a general anaesthetic with the associated risks, nor interfere with the growth through a biopsy – I’m just anxious to know if you can tell what it could be by my description and the picture, and whether I should be worried. If you think homeopathic Thuja would help then I have some to hand in a 30C potency.

Thank you for your help.