Please don't let it be what I think it is...

[Giselle]

Ivy started bleeding today, and I found this growth on her:


I've never seen this before. I don't understand how I could have missed this, but it obviously sprang up VERY quickly.

I'm so scared. Does anybody have any idea?

[Karen]

Could be many things, an infected bug bite, some irritation from some other source, an ingrown hair that got infected ... anything. Don't worry too much, just get that baby to the vet. I hope it isn't sore!

[Kfamr]

Kiara has had this before where (I assume) she's bumped herself. It went away on it's own in a few days. Hope it's the same case for Ivy.

[dukedogsmom]

I do hope it's nothing serious. I know how worried you must be.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Could just be a cyst from an infected bite or scratch. A trip to the vets will ease your fears

[wolf_Q]

Nebo had a bump that looked exactly like that on his leg when he was about 4-5 months old. His appeared very quickly as well. I had it removed when he was neutered. It was non-cancerous, if I remember right it was some sort of cyst...somewhat common on young dogs, especially on the legs. Hope that is all it is for Ivy too!

[loveallfurryfriends]

Sending good vibes your way.

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts headed Ivy's way. Hopefully it is not serious.

[caseysmom]

Sophie, I am not sure what you are afraid that is but she is way too young and I am sure it is not serious.

[ramanth]

Chipper had a bump like that on his leg recently. It ended up going away on it's own very quickly.

[Giselle]

Thanks for the advice, everybody. It doesn't look anything like the mast cell tumors I've seen so far, and I'm really glad to hear about everybody else's experiences with bumps like this. I'm really hoping it's some type of cyst or some other innocuous thing. We're watching it for a few days and if there's no improvement she's going to the vet.

I don't know why I was so scared. I've just seen so many greyhounds go down with osteosarcoma, so cancer just scares the cr@p out of me.

[finn's mom]

Every time I see one of these (seems like there's been at least two others on here besides myself that have posted photos of bumps like that), I think it looks just like what Finn had. A hystiocytoma (button tumor). Non cancerous and usually goes away easily and on it's own. I hope that's the case this time as well!

[K9soul]

How unnerving Sophie. I'm afraid after Raven I'm super paranoid about everything, but I do truly believe it looks like what Kari mentioned, a hystiocytoma. Look at the photo on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histiocytoma_(dog) It really looks like it doesn't it? I'd just do what you are doing, watch it closely. Raven's cancer changed FAST and grew daily. I think it will be quickly obvious if it seems like anything more ominous.

[Giselle]

Thank you, guys. Members on another forum also immediately suggested histiocytoma as well. I checked the growth today, and maybe I'm being naive, but it doesn't look nearly as rounded or 'swollen' as it did the days before. It sort of looks like it's shrinking around the edges, so we'll be giving it time to heal on its own. As soon as I see any growth, though, I'll be whisking her off to the vet.

Can you tell how RELIEVED I am??

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh no, Sophie, I'm just seeing this thread. Been busy the past few days.
I will hope it starts going away on it's own and our little Ivy will be just fine!