Maltese Lump

Question
There is something on my dogs back leg. I have been gone for a week and came back to the understanding that my dog has had a bad boy belly band on for a week while he is inside. I'm wondering what in the hell is on his leg. Its a pretty good size lump and around the area is hair loss. In the middle of the bump is a opening. What could this be.

Answer
Hi Cody,

Thank you for writing to me about your dog. It is not clear how the belly band has effected your dog's leg, if at all. A sudden lump with no hair and an opening in the middle is cause for alarm.  I would not want to see your dog lose his leg because of this situation.

As you may know. I board dogs in my home at Bed & Biscuit (www.bednbiscuit.com) and if I had a dog here with this condition, it would have been brought to the vet immediately.  This is not normal and at the size you are describing, of great concern.  Please make an immediate appointment with your vet, if not an emergency visit.  

In the meantime, clean out the wound and apply antibiotic ointment.  

Do not let your dog chew or lick this wound.

Wishing you and your dog the very best,

Shelley Davis