Although a "blood blister" could occur with a specific trauma to the toe, in a younger, large breed dog such as yours, there is definitely the possibility that your girl has an actual tumor that typically should not be ignored.
Blood blisters will go away in just a few days. Tumors will NOT go away.
The most common types of tumors in younger, large breed dogs are mast cell tumors, histiocytomas, basal cell tumors, and melanomas. For more information on these types of tumors, please review the following links:
With that said, if this lesion persists for longer than 72 hours, than I would definitely get your girl into the vet for a visit!!
As you mention she can be a handful, you may want to ask your vet if you can get an anti-anxiety medication, like Xanax, to premedicate her for her trip. This can make her more calm, relaxed, and easier to evaluate during her physical examination.
Mast Cell Tumors and Melanomas are MALIGNANT tumors and should be surgically removed as expediently as possible.
While waiting to see your veterinarian, it is very important that you do not try to pop, squeeze, or express the "mass" in question, as if it is a mast cell tumor, this can cause degranulation of the tumor cells and spread of the cancer into the blood stream.....not something that you want to potentiate!!
I hope that you found this information.
The blister just appeared today after taking her outside. I noticed some blood on the sheets after she got off the bed and then found the bloody spot on her foot. That was about 4 hours ago. It has swelled up since then. It's on her back foot on the top of her toe. She doesn't seem to be bothered with it. Also, if it were a tumor would it bleed?
Hope to get a reply back. Thanks!
Hello again and thanks for the update!
Since the onset is so acute, than the odds of it being a tumor are MUCH less!
With that in mind, than trauma, insect bite, or a foreign body may be the culprit for this sudden onset of swelling and seeping of blood. A short term therapy for this type injury would entail you giving her a 50 mg dosage of Diphenhydramine ( benadryl) every 4-6 hours through the night and soaking the affected foot in a warm water Epsom Salt bath for 5-10 minutes every 6 hours.
If the swelling is due to an insect bite or trauma, the combination of antihistamines and Epsom Salts should help reduce swelling significantly in the next 24 hours. If symptoms do NOT resolve with palliative therapy, than you may want to consider that dreaded trip into the vet's office.
I must stress that there COULD have been some type of mass developing there that you were NOT aware of until she abraded it, bumped it, traumatized it today....so there is still a remote possibility that it could be something that has been there for awhile!
Best wishes to you and your pet.
No problem if you don't have epsom!!
Yes, I want you to give her (2) 25 mg strength Benadryl's (generic is fine) tonight and then every 6 hours through the night. It may cause drowsiness initially, but as it's bedtime, that shouldn't be a big deal!!
You may just want to try and place a small ice pack on the area for 5 minutes if she will allow you to before bedtime. This can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and discomfort for a short period of time.
You can give the medication in a small breadball, piece of cheese, or small piece of deli meat. It doesn't have to be given with food, but if you have a hard time pilling her, than this can help!