Posts Tagged "cause"

My 7-year-old dachshund has a swelling between two toes and I am wondering what the cause might be. It started a few months ago and my vet thought it should be removed but tried putting my dog on some antibiotics first to see if it would clear up. The swelling is still there and my dog is starting to occasionally hold his foot up and lick the area. It’s a little reddened and I suspect the obvious need for removal of the small growth. Should I be worried?- L.W.Dear L.W.,There are typically two things I see develop between dogs’ toes and both need to be addressed. The lesser of two evils is when there is a localized infection secondary to a plant fern or piece of material getting under the skin, resulting in a small infected swelling. The other cause is either a benign or malignant cyst or tumor.A fine needle aspirate may be done to give a diagnosis, but it may not always be definitive. If the swelling is causing lameness or discomfort then I would advocate for its removal.Furthermore, I would be sure to have the biopsy done. Depending on what the pathology report reveals, a wider excision or more tissue removal may be necessary. This may well require an amputation of a toe or toes. I have seen various types of tumors in between toes and, depending on the specific nature of the mass, they come with differing prognoses.It seems like your veterinarian recommended the correct approach from the outset. At this point, the redness accompanying the swelling suggests inflammation and an xXray may be needed to see if bone in the toe has been compromised. I am sure your dog’s doctor will do what is appropriate. Good luck.