Small Black Growth on Dog’s Right Ankle

by | May 10, 2019 | Ask A Vet, Skin Issues | 0 comments

by Mario
(Vancouver, Canada)

 

 

 

 

 

Today we noticed a small growth in what is a very sensitive part of our dog’s right ankle. We inspected it and thought at first it might be a pin or nail stuck in her, but it does not seem to easily come out like a stuck nail would. Upon closer inspection it appears to be part of her skin or something growing on it. She keeps chewing at it and it looks like it hurts.

She has had dry skin and constantly chews at one of her paws and it is quite often a little bloody. To help that we bathe her once per week (most times), give her Yucca Root Powder, Bee Pollen Powder, but nothing seems to definitively work.

She is a 9 year old black lab that we adopted 1 year ago.

Comments for Small Black Growth on Dog’s Right Ankle

Nov 20, 2011My Online Vet Response for Small Black Growth on Dog’s Right Ankle
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

 

Hi Mario,
You must have a black Lab with a lot of gray on her feet! The small black growth may be a benign skin tag/wart. If she is chewing it and causing irritation to the skin, she may make it infected and cause it to be tender. It does not look red or swollen from the photos you submitted, though.

Keeping the hair clipped away from it, and applying (1x) one to two times daily may help to shrink it.

In the meantime, you mentioned that you only adopted her one year ago. Vaccinations received at that time (and/or if she received any vaccinations THIS year) may have triggered the appearance of this growth.

You also mentioned that she has dry skin. Improving her diet by NOT feeding DRY DOG food, and including more canned and raw meat in her diet will certainly improve her skin and overall health. See our page on 10 Best Dog Food Options.

Seeking the help of a holistic veterinarian, especially one that is knowledgeable in homeopathic remedies, would be best for ongoing treatment of this growth. You should also stop any more vaccinations. Benign growths can develop into malignant ones. Monitor if this growth increases in size over the next 3-6 weeks, if there is a change in shape or a discharge is noted, please see your veterinarian sooner!

A supplement that may also be beneficial for her, if the change in diet does not improve her skin/hair coat, is a powder called Missing Link Canine Formula.

(RESPONSE CONTINUED IN PART 2 BELOW)

Nov 21, 2011Part 2 – My Online Vet Response to: Small Black Growth on Dog’s Right Ankle
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

 

Hi Mario,

Here is the rest of my response…

Also, AVH.org has a list of veterinarians knowledgeable in homeopathy.

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

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
– Ask a Vet Online Library – Dog Vaccination Section

 
 
Click here to go back to the Ask a Vet Online Library of questions.

 

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