Dog has a small, changing mole-like growth. Should I get it biopsied?

Anytime a new mass is noticed, I always recommend having it evaluated to see what it is and if anything needs to be done about it. Unfortunately, we often can't tell anything about a mass by just looking at it. Your vet can perform a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they use a small needle to collect some cells from the mass, then look at them under the microscope. They may even need to send the cells to the lab for a pathologist to examine them, so we know what the mass is. If it is benign, you might not need to do anything about the mass at all, but if they see cells that worry them, they might recommend removing the mass. Since Qbert has scratched the mass, I think it is certainly worth having your veterinarian examine it again and evaluate a sample to make sure that it is benign. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Max. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian for a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate. The veterinarian will collect a sample of cells and evaluate them under the microscope to diagnose the mass. A histiocytoma is a common benign growth on the extremities of young dogs. Unfortunately, a mast cell tumor is an aggressive cancerous growth that has the same outward appearance. This is why the cells need to be examined. I hope this information helps!

Hello. From the pictures it is very hard to see what is going on with Maxx. I would recommend having the mass surgically removed and sent for histopathology to determine exactly what it is. Your vet will take as large margins as possible in case it is cancerous. It could be just a wart, or could be a parasite, however since there are multiple and growing I would suggest having it removed to determine exactly what it is. Good luck with Maxx!

I do not see any photos attached to your question. If you would want to resubmit your question with the photos attached a Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach expert can help further. But just in general a skin mass could be benign (skin tag, etc) or malignant. Unfortunately without some sort of sampling (cytology or biopsy to collect cells) there is not a way to know for sure based on appearance. Small size, no growth, lack of ulceration, and freely moveable nature are certainly favorable characteristics. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I agree this sounds concerning and I recommend to have Kobe examined by the veterinarian. With the history of a recurrent mass/injury, I'm concerned there is an underlying reason. There are a few reasons and one can be quite serious: a skin cancer called a Mast Cell Tumor. Testing for this skin cancer is generally easy thankfully. Kobe shouldn't need sedation or stitches as long as he will stay still for a quick needle poke. In the mean time, you'll want to protect the lesion from infection. 1. Stop any licking (since this can make it worse) - Kobe should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. - Remember that the collar must come out past his nose in order to be effective. 2. Next, wash the area once a day with either plain hand soap (like Dial) or a medicated pet shampoo. Rinse the area well and gently towel dry. -This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. 3. Lastly, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day to the red areas. Make sure the skin is dry before application. -Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Neosporin is fine to use. 4. Keep the paw clean and dry *Always wear gloves to handle this lesion and wash your hands afterwards. I hope things get figured out quickly! Sincerely, Dr. Elizabeth

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!

Hi, I can see the dark pigmented mass on the photo and I would be more cautious then to say in certainty what any mass is by simply looking at it. If it hasn't been done yet I suggest to go to your vet and consider trying to take a sample. This usually means collecting samples of the material inside the mass with a needle (fine needle aspiration=FNA). Taking a sample and analyzing at it under the microscope or sending it to a pathologist for identification is crucial in most cases for a definitive diagnosis. If FNA is not effective (or if your vet thinks it's not the best option) the next recommendation is usually a biopsy.