BigGameHoundsmen.com

I got a 5yo Bluetick stud thats developed a nasty boil looking thing on the center of his chest. I had originally thought it was because of his scratching that cause this, but now its bigger and more prominant. Before I self-vet or take him to a vet if its serious, I wanted to know what this was or if I should self-vet.
The "boil" is about 1/4-3/8" wide and about 1/16-1/4" tall, red in color and round. Its on the deep portion of his chest and directly in the center.

Thanks for any help.

The vet has a scientific name for it , but it is only a bruise.
That fills up with blood.Do not need to drain it , it will go down in a couple weeks.
Cause by a blow , or snap from a chain if tied up and lungeing will hit dead center of the chest.
Roy...

I doubt its a bruise, its started small about 6mo ago and has only gotten bigger. I haven't/dont chain my dogs, and no blows have been sent or have been recieved dead center by this dog. The dog also constantly tries to scratch at it.
It literally looks like a blood filled boil, I have never seen a bruise look this way.

Its hard to tell from a description but if its been going on for that long it may be time to do something. Could be nothing but for your own peace of mind it might be a good idea to take him in. I have seen those blood filled bruises but they usualy don't last more than a few weeks. At the very least you will know what it is... Don't go to one of those expensive big city vets that treat dogs like childern, warning sign is one that starts talking baby talk to the dog. Find a country vet thats used to dealing with farm animals ect.

I had a dog with something simular on his back leg his turned out to be cancer but it was too wide spread to do anything about by the time it was noticeable. Atleast mine was an old dog by then and he had lived a good life. I had a good vet back then and it didn't cost too much for him to take a look... I sure was not about to spend a ton of money on treatment that would likly only gain him a few months of pain and misery.

I'd say take him in and get it checked! Is there a lil hole in the center? I know cattle will get somethin similar and it's caused by a worble grub. I don't know if dogs can get them or not but we'd lance it and pop the grub out then give em a shot of penicillin.

Well, sounds like I'll take him in, wish I still lived in Oregon, plenty of country vets I went to school with that could help me out. If anyone knows of a good vet in Northern Virginia/Manasas area i'd apreciate the number.