Dog lump

Question
One of my dalmatians has a lump on her side. It is kind of purple. Do you know what it could be?

Answer
Hi Jennifer,  It sounds like a hematoma, basically a broken blood vessel, but it could be something else.  Can you put your fingers around it and pull it from her body or is it attached to the muscle underneath?  Also, have you noticed it growing.  If it is getting bigger or is attached, you need to get her into a vet right away as it could be a tumor.  If it is a hematoma, the blood can reabsorb back into her body and she would be fine.  Again, the basic rule of thumb is if you can't put your fingers around it or if it is growing, then you want to get her into a vet right away.  Hope this helps,

Dawn