Could This Bump on My Senior Pomsky Be a Botfly Wound? (Vet Answered)
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Small Animal Veterinarian
Dr. Karyn is a small animal veterinarian originally from Australia, now based in the UK. She holds degrees in Veterinary Science (2010) and Zoology. When not helping pets, she tends to her 5 cats, 5 dogs, and garden!
The Question
Is this a botfly wound? I’m very concerned since this wound/bump only appeared almost overnight. She hasn’t had any unusual contact beyond her daily walks in the neighborhood & her groomer visits every few weeks or so. Her groomer has been the same one since a puppy so I don’t believe it’s a wound from there, but Im unsure.
Quick Info about Luna
Luna's profile pictureHi Leela,
Thanks for writing in.
I can't say with total certainty without examining Luna in person, but based on the image provided, I don't think this is a botfly wound. It looks much more like a wart (aka papilloma). They don't grow all that quickly, but often go unnoticed as they are quite small, lying close to the skin. Suddenly they become noticeable, either because the dog has knocked them, or they've become a bit more mobile or inflamed.
The most sensible move is to book an appointment with your vet to confirm this. There is also a possibility that it could be a small tumor, so it would be best to get a definitive diagnosis.
If it is a papilloma, the good news is that they are typically benign. They are actually caused by a virus, and dogs that have them often grow more. Most of the time, there is no need for specific treatment, but if they are growing rapidly or causing irritation or distress, they can be removed surgically.
Hopefully, it's nothing to worry about, but it's always best to be sure.
Good luck,
Dr Karyn