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My Rose dog, she has had a big knot on her left side near her rear leg for a couple of weeks now. I thought it was a muscle or something at first. It doesn't seem to be getting bigger but I am concerned it may be more than some thing that can heal itself. I will try to get a picture later of this. Any ideas?

Also I have found a hole near her anus that hasn't healed up entirely after a couple of months, I am thinking about a vet visit but I hate spending money on something that willl go away on its own.

Don't know about the lump but the hole is probably the anal gland that got plugged and pushed threw .might see the doc about that one.

The one on the side is either an abscess or a hernia, the anus one is also an abscess (foxtail probably) or an infected anal gland. None are serious, unless neglected. A hernia is the most serious. All should be seen. Really, it's kind of a silly question considering she is your best dog.

Im taking her in tonight after a few talks. I just wanted to give natue a chance to heal up on its own. I appreciate it guys!

Please let us know the doc's diagnosis, might help one of us down the road.

Turns out the knot was a hemmotoma(blood clotting), the hole near her anus was not a ruptured anal gland however the vet did drain them, the one side has alot of grit and some infection. Got some meds, will see how she is in a couple days.

Thanks for the update, hopefully it clears up soon.

Here is a couple pics just for people to see incase they have similar problems.

I've had a couple of dogs get those abscesses on their sides, exact same looking deal. Out of curiosity, does this dog load up in the truck on her own or do you have to grab her to load her up? I've been guilty of grabbing a dog by its collar and the loose skin on its hips and throwing it in, not sure if that causes it or not??

No, I rarely ever touch my dogs other than to pet them. She loads just fine. I never even use leashes other than if im killing a cat.

Update: I had to take her back in and the vet opened the knot looking for a possible foreign body, made a good drain for it. Got her on a different type of antibiotics, looks to be healing good.

I have a dog with the same thing. I carried him to the vet and they told me that it might be a piece of grass that the body pushed in instead of out. Vet cut a half dollar size hole in his side and sent me home w/ antibotics. About 3 months later I had ran the dog pretty hard and the knot came back about the size of my fist so I made an appointment for the next day. When I carried him down there he had bit a big hole in it and it was draining. The vet gave me an antibotic and told me he could do an exploratory surgery but he really didnt know what it was and since the meds had took care of it the first time we can try it again. The meds were cheaper so that is what we did and havent had a problem in 3 months.

I have a dog that has had the same thing happening for about 6 months I've spent almost $2000 at the vet and still don't know why it keeps coming back! He's took antibiotics he's been cut open and explored 3 times had culture sent to the university! I don't know what to do now as it seems it may be trying to come back again!

Might be nocardia. Tough bug to kill completely. May need to be on strong antibiotics for 6 months or more.

Its funny this thread cam up today!!! Like many others I have had all sorts of abscesses like you describe. From bites, sticks, bedding, getting whacked, and who knows what. All you can ever really do is give anti biotics, and hope you caught it before it bursts. if there is something in there though normally it will come back.

It just so happens I got one going now. An older dog of ours got bit by a yote years ago. Lost half her ear that day. Later on an abscess started, and a small hole at the back of the ear. Many many months of anit biotiocs. would come and go. vet thought maybe a chunk of tooth. Nothing with surgery. Then was gone for a good 2 years. Couple months ago came back again. Same hole same spot.

Then yesterday when feeding she had a softball on her neck below the ear, and golf ball below the jaw. Just like that overnight!!! Checked her this morning, and she looked good at first. Until I seen it had burst!! Definitely nothing in there now!!! Pic is not the best, but you could put a golf ball in the hole!! Nothing can do now. Just keep clean, antibiotics, and thermazene.