My dog's back lump is growing, changing color, and flaky. Is it serious?

Hi and thank you for posting your question! From the picture, it looks like a skin tag which can grow over time and become larger. Usually these are not anything to worry too much about, although if it starts to become larger, red, swollen, or infected, you may want to have your veterinarian take a closer look. You can always have the mass aspirated and a sample sample taken from it to see if it is anything concerning. That is the only way to really definitively diagnosis any mass. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope this has helped!

Hello, Smurf's skin tag may not be much to be worried about since it has been there for over a year. However it is not your typical skin mass in terms or color and appearance and some of those dark pigmented skin masses can be malignant. The only way to really know though is by removing it. I would consult with your veterinarian about removing the mass and submitting it for biopsy so that your can know for sure if it is benign or malignant. The mass is small so surgery shouldn't be too extensive, but they may require pre-surgical bloodwork and x-rays. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I agree with your family vet that the lump looks like a skin tag. I would only consider further workup if the lump grows significantly in a short period of time, if it changes shape or texture, or if Timmy starts bothering at it (scratching, licking). At that point, a fine needle aspirate can be done to confirm the nature of the lump, and decide whether surgery is necessary to remove it. I hope this helps, and that Timmy is happy and healthy!

Yes, this may just be a benign growth like a skin tag, but I cannot make a definitive diagnosis without seeing him in person. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. I hope this helps!

Thank you for the image. This is likely a benign skin mass known as a sebaceous adenoma. They are common in older dogs and arise from sebaceous glands in the skin. You would need to have your dog physically examined by your veterinarian for confirmation. Removal is recommended if the lump grows larger or becomes ulcerated, but others may grow in the same spot or different areas. Keep it clean and dry and be careful not to irritate it during grooming/brushing or bathing.

Hi there and thank you for your post! From your pictures this looks typical of a benign wart like growth thay we see in older dogs. The most common we see is what is called a sebaceous adenoma. Basically a benign growth of the glands in the skin. However, that being said, it requires more than just looking at it to diagnose it. If you want a more specific accurate diagnosis, the most accurate way is to have it removed and to send it out for histopathology (A test to determine what it is). Your vet can also perform an FNA test where a needle is inserted into the mass and looked at under the microscope. If Honey has bad teeth and is in need of a dental cleaning, you could have this removed at the same time and sent out for testing. Let me know if you have any other concerns!

I wouldn't be concerned at just this moment unless it is causing discomfort or gets bigger/changes color/ changes firmness, etc. Then it should be examined by a vet to determine if it needs to be removed.