Red bump on dog paw

My dog has had a small raised bright red bump on the top of her foot for about a week now. It doesn’t appear to bother her but it isn’t getting better and I don’t believe it’s a bug bite. Do you know what else it could be?

Hello and thank you for this question.  Frequently, red lumps and bumps are caused by some kind of inflammation, for example - as you identified - a flea-bite or a nick from vegetation or even a foreign body such as a thorn, which has triggered an inflammatory reaction around it.  Allergies / other immune reactions can also come up this way - it is relatively unusual for them to come up as a discrete single lump however.   A demodex mite can sometimes trigger such a reaction around it and the feet are a common site.  Inflammatory lumps for any reason, if specifically located between the toes, are known as interdigital cysts. Further to that, tumours can occur.  For example, a histiocytoma is a very red, raised tumour but these will usually spontaneously resolve within a short time.  Some other tumours - cancers - are less benign and can directly cause problems. Rarely, leishmaniasis can present as red marks or plaques on the skin surface. Ringworm is a much more common parasite and can also present on the feet.  Handwashing and testing may therefore be very important I hope that something here gives you a few ideas.  Please do see your vet in order to start getting to the bottom of this.

Sorry - I forgot furunculosis - inflammation of the hair follicle.  These can also look like so-called follicular 'cysts.'

Thank you! To clarify it’s on top of the foot and not in between the toes. Here’s a picture for reference 

Thank you! To clarify it’s on top of the foot and not in between the toes. Here’s a picture for reference 

Ah! thank you for spelling out this detail.  Most of those possibilities still apply;    some kind of inflammation-  a flea-bite, nick from vegetation, foreign body such as a thorn, inflammatory reaction, allergy (although very looks localised / intense for an allergy), demodex. (not an interdigital cyst then).  Histiocytoma, cancer, leishmaniasis, Ringworm, foreign body could all still apply. Trauma (e.g. a wound or hot liquid dropping on paw) or licking at an area of soreness (eg arthritis) are still distinctly possible, although the latter might normally look more diffuse.  Your vet may want to do tests to distinguish between these and other possibilities.  In some countries / areas, Alabama Rot may belong on the differentials list, so please check urgently with your local clinician whether this might apply to you.