My Dog Has A Swollen Red Bump On Her Paw. It's Bleeding. What Is It?

The first thing I will say is that you should head to your vet if you are in any way worried about your dog. The vet will be able to diagnose the lump properly for you, and most likely give you something to treat it. All I can do is give you a list of things that it could be, so I strongly urge you to go to a professional vet as well as taking on board this information.
If the lump on your dog’s paw is bleeding, it is more urgent than normal. The fact that it is bleeding means that it has a higher risk of becoming infected if it is left alone. Wrap it up in some bandage until you can see the vet.
Lumps on dogs paws are common. Dogs use their paws to do a lot of things, as we do with our limbs. The lump could be due to your dog treading on something or grazing itself while out on a walk. These are common ailments for dogs because they are so adventurous.
It could be an abscess, or a fluid filled lump on her paw that can be caused by infection. If it is bleeding, this means it could have ruptured, so it is essential that your dog is seen by the vet as soon as possible.
If the lump is near one of your dog’s toes, it could be a cyst, which is a bit like an abscess. They are characterised by a red dot, almost like the head of a spot. These can be treated at home by using a sterilized needle to pop the cyst and release the fluid, allowing the paw to heal. If you are not very experienced at this type of thing, though, definitely go to the vet.

Have your dog examined by a veterinarian.  There are several things that can cause red bumps in dog.  There are several types of allergic reactions dogs can experience.  They can have a contact dermatitis--where an irritant comes into direct contact with the skin causing the localized reaction.  Dogs can have insect bit hypersensitivity when they are stung by a bee or other insect.  This can result in swelling-often facial swelling--but can lead to dermal (skin) reactions. 

Environmental (inhalant) allergies are another possibility.  They are fairly common in bulldogs.  The allergens can be weeds, pollens, grass, dust mites etc.  Initial treatment includes Benadryl, omega-3 fatty acids, frequent bathing, treating secondary bacteria or yeast infections, and topical treatment.  This type of allergies we try to control but do not cure.

Your veterinarian will examine the lumps and rule out ectoparasites like ringworm, mites, and fleas.  Making sure the underlying cause is identified is important so treatment is aimed correctly.  Steroids are not required to treat all allergic reactions or allergies--they are not without side effects especially in young growing animals.

I have a three year old american bulldog, same problem too.  About three times he has completely broken out in hives, I think the most recent time it was from a insect bite because his face swelled up like a balloon.  He's a healthy 135 lbs, so I gave him 3 benedryll every 6 hrs.  Konked him out good, but the swelling went down after about 24 hrs. Other than these three incidents he has rarely broken out severely and they go away.  I will warn you, after taking him to an allergy specialist, I was told he may have food allergies. Chicken is one meat common to cause food allergies, so check your dogs food. If he losses a lot of hair and licks his feet a lot-- these are common signs of food allergies. If this is common, switch his food to less common proteins like venison, lamb, or duck.  After switching my dog's food to Natural Balance's Sweet potato and venison brand he had hives less often, shed considerably less, and stopped licking his feet nearly altogether.  Also, over bathing can cause skin irritation.  I was bathing Beau about 1x/wk.   My vet told me twice a month was all I would need to bathe him after switching his food. He was right and he doesn't even smell!!

I have a three year old american bulldog and he gets this problem it seams seasonally. Just now finished bathing him (in hypoallergenic dog shampoo) and he was fine. He went outside and rolled in the grass cause he loves doing this in the sun. Instantly he got big red bumps all over him. This does happen occasionally with him and I believe there just like hives. He just gets covered with them!! I give him a full benadryl as he is 100lbs. This seems to help it slowly go away. I don't think vets are too much help with these conditions as they won't know exactly what it is and how to treat it unless a lot of money is put into testing. I think what would help me is an allergy test.
Anyways hope this helps people. It is very strange there are tons of American Bulldogs with this problem as I see on this board!

We have an English Bulldog and she had the same problem. We took her to the vet and she has a skin condition called RED MANGE, they gave us some medicine for it, the first 30 days she had to have it everyday now she takes it just once a month. Red Mange is not the same as Mange in most dogs it is not contagious to humans because I was freaked out about that. It is genetically passed from Mother po Father to pup.

My 18 month old staffy has the exact same problem. I freaked out when I saw her yesterday morning and was right on the phone for an emergency appointment with the vet. She has hayfever in the summer but this has got to be the worse case if seen her with. She itches it bad. The vet advised to clean her bed covers, give her a cool bath and keep her cool so stop her feeling uncomfortable. She has also been given a steroid injection and a dose of steroid tablets. I'm hopin this helps.... Ill keep you all upto date here hopin it dissapears :)

We have a 8 month old American Bulldog and, as of this past Monday, she has the exact same symptoms as your dog. We have also tried the benadryl and baths. Nothing seems to work. They arent' really getting WORSE, they just aren't getting any better. She has an appointment this afternoon with her vet, so hopefully we'll find something out. I just thought it was strange that we have about the same age/breed dog, with the same symptoms. I'll let you know what my vet says. Hope your baby feels better soon :)

Your dog needs to go to the vet and get a cortizone shot.

I have  a 3 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrior and he has developed welts all over his back mostly in the rear part of his back. I does not seem to be getting worse, but is certainly is not gettting any better. They developed after we bathed him, the next day he was covered in welts as though he had been attacked by bees, but we know he was not.
His appatite is fine he is urniating and bowels are moving, energy level has not changed. I am not sure if this something that will pass or if I should be concerned?  I do not want to take him to the vet and spend un-nessary money, only to be another one who's vet had no answer as some you have found. If anyone has suggestions they are all welcomed.

Ticks, did you ever find out what it was?

Just wondering how you dog made out. My dos is an American bulldog, 4yrs old and he just started to break out in these red bumps. My vet thought he was breaking out in hives due to some reaction. He's been on medication for a two weeks and as soon as I started to take him off of the steroid and benadryl and came back. At first his face swelled, now its all under his armpits and leg area. No changes in anything. What do you think.

I have a 1 year old American Bulldog with the same symptoms.  This has been going on for several months now.  She has been to the vet several times and they put her on steroids to control it until winter. They seem to think it was the pollen or other allergens in the air.  She is about done the steroids now and it is mid January.  The rash seems like it is going to come back after being off of the steroids for several days.  The vet suggested allergy testing be done.  Has anyone got a diagnose from a vet for this yet?  I am not sure when these posts were made but hopefully someone can help me out.

My dog has welts.  Can this be caused from eating something with msg?

Sounds like a hot spot..It is common in dogs, especially Labradors. It's an allergy of some sort. Go to your nearest pet store and purchase "Sulfodene" its for minor abrasions, lesions, wounds, etc. Pour some on a piece of cotton and dab the wound and around it. If it doesn't clear up, it is a good idea to take him/her to a vet for a round of antibiotics. Good-Luck.

I know that you have given the benadryl, but I think she needs to go to the vet for this. It could be an allergy, or ringworms, or other things. Hope this helps, good luck.

My dog has a red it looks like a wart on his nose he is a 10 month bull lab

I have a 1 and a 1/2 year old pit with similar condition. Hers are on her belly and legs. I can't get into the vet until Saturday. Any ideas of what to do until then?

Jan 31, 2010
I have a similiar problem with my dog, she is a pitbull 10 months, normally she has an amazing healthy coat but every now and then she comes up with big red welts all over her, the first time we freaked out, thought it was bee stings or something, but the next day they were gone. Now it has returned, the vet offered no suggestions, just charged me NZ$75 and gave me a small tube of antiseptic cream. I would like to know if this is a plant allergy, food, pollen, heat rash, or what??? She also got sore red welts under her arms. Its very puzzling as to what is the cause.