Growth in between dogs paw pad… papilloma virus?

Hello, has anyone had experience of their dogs paw looking like this? He’s a young dog and we’re not sure how it started- just that it has grown very fast over the last week. The vets didn’t really help and after 2 visits only prescribed antibiotics. The growth appears to be in between his paw pads. Any similar experiences appreciated!

should add the photos above are from 3 days ago and these images below are how it is today. Is it healing?

Hello!  That looks sore - is it?  Is your dog licking at it / lame? I hear that after two visits to your vet, you feel that you didn't really get any help - can you put your finger on why that is?  I can understand that the first time they possibly thought 'that looks to be infected - let's try antibiotics' and that they saw you back - was this just as the antibiotics finished?  What did they explain that their plan was after that? Did they see some improvement and want to try the antibiotics for longer, or change the drug, or maybe talk about biopsy?  Or perhaps there was a long time between the first consult and the second, by which time they simply started with the antibiotics again?  What did they think that the lesion might be? (It often isn't possible to diagnose a lump without sampling it). I think it's important that you understand the vets' plan at the end of a consultation and if you don't, then it may be worth a call to explain this to the team and ask if there's anyone you can speak to in order that you do understand, because it is important that there is a plan for your dogs' treatment going forward and that you do know it. If the second consultation was ages ago, then they probably will need to see you back - you could try saying something like 'You've given me antibiotics twice already and it hasn't helped - is there anything you can do to diagnose this lesion / move things along?' or 'Please will you explain what happens next?  What are you expecting to happen?  When should I get back in touch?  Why don't things appear to be getting better? We do not act instead of your vets I'm afraid, but it sounds as though you don't feel that things are progressing.  I get the feeling that better communication between yourself and your vet is needed to get to the bottom of both why not, and also to get to the bottom of this case.

Hi thank you for your response. I’m eager to find out what it is. To clarify we saw the vet 10 days ago and the paw was just pink and inflamed but no obvious growths. He hasn’t walked on it for nearly 2 weeks now. after the first visit we then noticed a growth in between the paw pads and went back a week later at which point it was oozing red and sore. Only then did the vet give us antibiotics which he’s now been on for 4 days. It’s painful for him to put any pressure on it and he won’t let us touch it. we’ve booked in for a third time next week and I’ve asked how much it’ll cost for either a biopsy or total removal. We’re frustrated it’s taken 3 goes at trying to find out what it is. I’m more intrigued to just find out what it is… have you ever seen anything like this before? thanks

It is true that a vet cannot identify a lump without sampling and looking at it down a microscope.  Some lumps do sometimes have a certain general 'look' about them, but diagnosing from appearance has been shown to be unreliable, so should only be used very cautiously. However, there are two broad 'types' of lump: 1) inflammatory (a reaction to something eg an infection - often painful or irritated, red and inflamed) and 2) neoplastic (cancerous ), which can be benign or sinister and most often present without extra redness or itching.  At first, it sounds as though this case presented as lameness, which generally isn't bacterial and should not be treated with antibiotics unless it is shown to have a rogue bacterial cause.  Clients like to be given antibiotics but for lameness they are rarely appropriate.  When a rogue bacterial cause appeared probable, it sounds as though your vet changed their treatment plan to include antibiotics. Now that the presentation is that of a lump, you sound unsure whether or not it is drying up and improving with the antibiotics.  However, a red and painful (or itchy / licked) lesion implies inflammation (rather than cancer) which may explain why your vet has opted to give it time. Right now, it may not be obvious to your vet either whether biopsy or removal is necessary or not.  This would account for trial treatments and repeat checks.  Nobody wants to do a small operation / remove skin unnecessarily but no-one wants to miss anything sinister either. I hear that things are a bit 'up in the air', but it does reads as though your vet is taking the decision seriously.   Asking them lots of questions to understand the plan going forward is always a good idea in these cases.  Best if luck and please do let us know what they decide.

Hi there, njones86 may I ask if you ever got a diagnosis?  I hope your dog has recovered.

It would be really nice if original poster would share the results. My dog has the same issue and I live 4 hours away from the vet. That’s 8 hours drive round trip.