4 Cysts Often Found on Dog Paws [With Pictures & Vet Advice]

This article was updated on May 5th, 2023

Ahh dog feet, giant Great Dane Marmaduke paws, tiny terrier tootsies, the puffy, fluffy white feet of a Bichon Frisé. As dog lovers, we love them all. As veterinarians, we are acutely aware of the many pathogens (organisms that cause disease, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses) that can live on the surface and deep down in the pores of the canine foot.

In practice we see lots of dogs with lumps and bumps on their feet. These lumps range from hardly noticeable and non-irritating to prominent, inflamed, itchy or painful lumps oozing sticky fluid. In this article, we will review the most common types of cysts found on dog’s paws and pawpads, and what you can do to help your dog.

What Is a Cyst?

A cyst is a closed off tissue pocket filled with fluid or semi solid material. Cysts of the skin typically form when ducts associated with sweat or sebaceous glands are blocked. Most cysts are benign but may still be problematic. You learn more about dog cysts in our article: 6 Types of Cysts in Dogs (With Pictures). In this article, we will review specifically cysts found on dog paws. Let’s have a look!

Types of cysts often found on a dog’s paw

There are a few types of cysts you might find on your dog’s paw. Interdigital follicular cysts are one of the cysts found on a dog’s paw and probably the most problematic.

1. Interdigital follicular cysts

Interdigital follicular cysts appear as a small swelling or cyst found where the toes meet on the top of the foot or in between the toes (digits). This occurs mainly on the front paws.

In minor cases the surrounding skin may appear normal. In more extreme cases, the skin around the cysts may be red and angry. There may be some blood or pus present. The toe webbing may be thickened and inflamed.

These interdigital cysts are symptomatic of a deeper, more serious problem. A deep bacterial infection or chronic inflammation is most likely present in your dog’s paw.

The superficial cysts seen on the top of the paw and between the toes manifest from an area of diseased skin on the bottom of the paw. When the bottom of the paw is examined, you may see areas of hair loss, redness, swelling and comedone (blackhead) formation.

With this skin condition cysts will form in deep layers of the skin. These deep cysts can rupture forcing their contents into the surrounding tissue causing further damage. Some of the backed-up cyst contents will travel upwards forming cysts on the top of the toe webbing and paw.

So how did I end up with an interdigital follicular cyst on my dog’s paw? Was my dog prone to this condition?

It is believed that irritation and abnormal friction of the area between the toe pads and paw pads causes blocked pores. When these pores are blocked comedones and other cysts will form. The deeper cysts rupture, causing more extensive damage and more cysts develop. It is difficult to keep a dog from licking and chewing at their painful feet which makes the situation worse. This leaves an easy opening for secondary bacterial or fungal infections.

Dogs prone to interdigital follicular cysts:

• dogs with allergies that lick their feet a lot
• dogs with short, bristled hair such as the Shar Pei, Doberman Pinscher and Staffordshire Terrier
• dogs with wide paws such as Great Danes, Retrievers and English Bulldogs
• overweight dogs
• dogs with orthopedic issues that change their natural gait
• dogs housed in kennels with rough concrete floors that irritate the paw

Treatment of Interdigital follicular cysts:

Interdigital follicular cysts can be difficult to treat. If the cysts are not too extensive medical management can be tried.

Before starting treatment, it will be necessary for your veterinarian to take tissue samples. They need to ensure there is no underlying systemic disease going on, as some systemic illnesses can cause this type of foot disease.

Also, they will want to know what bacteria they are treating and if any external parasites such as Demodex  may be involved. Your veterinarian will choose the proper antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal any other drugs they will deem beneficial.

Medicated shampoos and wipes will be used as well. Hopefully the situation can be gotten under control. Even when successfully treated, there is a chance of recurrence.

When the problem is more extensive or to prevent it from getting worse, surgery is indicated. Surgical ablation with a CO2 laser is the latest method of treatment and is believed to have the greatest success treating interdigital follicular cysts.

2. Follicular cysts

A follicular cyst is associated with the base of a hair follicle. When the follicle becomes inflamed and dilated the hollow space the follicle sits in collects body oil, dirt, sweat, excess cellular debris and sometimes keratin (a protein that helps form skin, hair and nails). It eventually forms a cyst.

A follicular cyst is somewhat round and nodular in appearance. It may be tinged blue or it may be darker, like a black head. It can range in size from 1/4 inch to approximately 2 inches.

A follicular cyst is found on or just under the skin. Sometimes follicular cysts rupture and ooze. The contents of a follicular cyst may be black or white or yellow. It may be fluid or have a thick, pasty consistency. It often has an unpleasant smell.

Treating a follicular cyst: Follicular cysts are often seen secondarily to a preexisting skin condition. If the cyst or cysts are not extensive and not bothering your dog your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and medicated shampoos. If the cysts resolve the next step is to get on top of the underlying dermatitis that led to the cyst development.

If medical treatment is not working, the cyst has ruptured or is bothersome to your pooch or reoccurs after initial treatment, surgical removal is indicated. There is no “home remedy” for follicular cysts. Medicated shampoos may be helpful, but veterinary care is recommended for a true resolution to the problem. Learn more about follicular cysts in dogs.

3. Comedones

Comedones or blackheads are clogged pores. They are very similar to follicular cysts but have a wide opening on the surface of the skin that allows them to be manually squeezed and the thick contents expelled. Comedones appear as small, black slightly raised bumps.

Treating comedones: Because comedones can be emptied by squeezing them, it is tempting to treat them on your own. This is not recommended. You may think you are dealing with a blackhead when it is really something else. Also, squeezing may cause inflammation or introduce bacteria causing a deep infection.

Once your veterinarian has diagnosed comedones, they may recommend some at home treatments for you. Medicated shampoos containing benzoyl peroxide are indicated. Make sure you use one specific to dogs. If infected, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics.

4. Sebaceous cyst

A sebaceous cyst forms in and around the sebaceous gland when there is an excess buildup of sebum, the oil the gland produces to help keep skin moist and healthy. When the opening from the gland is blocked due to skin trauma or inflammation the sebum accumulates causing a cyst to form. Some sebaceous cysts contain only sebum. Most also contain other waste such as excess keratin or dead cells.

A sebaceous cyst is usually small (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch), and somewhat round. It is attached to the outer surface of the skin. Its color usually matches the color of the surrounding skin, but it may also be a pink tinged white.

Treating a sebaceous cyst: Once diagnosed by your veterinarian it may be the best option to leave a sebaceous cyst alone. If a sebaceous cyst is not causing any pain or discomfort and is not infected, you can choose to leave it alone. If it becomes a problem, becoming red and inflamed or ulcerating, surgical excision is often the recommended treatment. Sebaceous cysts may remain small and harmless for your dog’s entire life. Choosing to monitor and not treat these cysts is perfectly reasonable.

Will a cyst on a dog’s paw go away on its own?

Most dog’s cysts will not go away on their own. If a dog has healthy skin and a cyst formed due to some kind of traumatic injury to the area, it may resolve when the injury clears up. If a cyst is due to underlying disease, curing the underlying disease may also clear up the cyst.

Does a cyst on a dog’s paw need to be treated or can it be left alone?

Any cyst cleared as not cancerous by your veterinarian and not bothering your dog can be left untreated for a time. If the cyst is small and is not bothering the dog, it may be left alone as long as there are no complications. Cysts need to be monitored for any signs of worsening or infection, so as not to be neglectful to your best friend’s health: rupturing, enlarging, or infection are all complications or changes that warrant a trip to your veterinarian. This will also help ensure that the mass has not become cancerous.

What about home remedies?  

While some home remedies may be beneficial, they are generally not recommended. This is because it may not be safe to use an “unknown” treatment. If you really want to try something recommended to you by someone you trust, please run it by your veterinarian first to make sure it will not harm your pooch.

How do I know when to call my vet about the cyst on my dog’s paw?

If a cyst on your dog’s paw is not red or irritated, oozing fluid or giving off a foul odor it is ok to wait a bit until calling your veterinarian. Keep in mind what you think is a benign cyst may really be malignant, so don’t wait too long. Make sure you point the cyst out to your veterinarian on your dog’s next wellness exam.

Also, is your dog bothered by the cyst? Is he or she still eating and drinking and playful? It is important to keep an eye on your dog’s overall health in relation to the cyst and the time that the cyst first appeared.

How will my veterinarian diagnose the cyst on my dog’s paw?

Your veterinarian will examine the cyst visually for shape, color and location. They will palpate it for texture, firmness and how it is attached to or under the skin. The skin around the cyst will be evaluated as well. The price for a physical exam at your local practice ranges from $35.00 to $250.00 with the average being $60.00.

Your veterinarian may be content to make a diagnosis from their exam findings and your dog’s history.

If not comfortable diagnosing the cyst based on physical exam, they may take a fine needle aspirate. A small needle is inserted into the cyst and the insides drawn out. Microscopic examination of the contents will often make the definitive diagnoses. The price of a Fine Needle Aspirate and cytology ranges from $20.00 to $100.00.

Some aspirate samples are not definitive and a biopsy may be necessary. This is where a piece of the cyst wall is taken for microscopic examination. Your dog will need to be sedated for this procedure. Because of the sedation necessary a biopsy is a bit pricier, ranging from $400.00 to $800.00. It may make more sense to just have the cyst removed.

Medical treatment for cysts after diagnosis can range from $30.00 for a bottle of medicated shampoo, to a few hundred for antibiotics, steroids, anti-inflammatory and follow up visits. Interdigital follicular cysts can require long term care and may eventually require surgery, driving the price up further.

Be sure and let your veterinarian know how much you can afford to spend. They can structure their treatment approach to fit both your wallet and your dog’s needs.

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