Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a clear bubble on its head. Is it a tick, cyst, or pimple?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Goldendoodle | Female | spayed | 13 years and 2 months old | 50 lbs

Looks like a clear bubble growing on my dogs head. I thought it was a tick

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 25th, 2018

This may be a cyst or a tumor, or a pimple (little abscess). You should have it examined by your veterinarian as tumors should be removed ASAP, especially if they are of a black color. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. Your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate (he takes some material from the bump with a needle and then looks at it under the microscope) to determine whether the mass is concerning. You can also watch it for a few days and see whether it goes away again. I don't think it is anything terribly worrisome.

6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a bump that looks like a tick or blackhead. What is it?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What is this new bump on my dog after grooming? Is it serious?

This may be a pimple (little abscess), cyst or a tumor. You should have it examined by your veterinarian as tumors should be removed ASAP. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. Your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate (he takes some material from the bump with a needle and then looks at it under the microscope) to determine whether the mass is concerning. Since this is obviously bothering your dog (it looks like Bentley is licking it), I would have this examined very soon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has an inflated lump. Is it a tick or mass? When to see a vet?

That does not appear to be a tick, but a small mass or cyst. You have a couple options. The first is to have your veterinarian examine King and perform a simple fine needle aspirate of the lump. The samples collected can be submitted for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. Treatment would depend on the results. The other option would be to monitor the lump for rapid change or growth. See your vet for an exam and aspirate if the lump causes discomfort, grows rapidly or changes appearance.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog had a hard black growth removed, leaving a hole. Cyst or tick?

While I can't tell for sure from the picture, I believe this may be dried discharge from a cyst. Poodles and other breeds with continually growing hair are more prone to sebaceous cyst formation. Sometimes these cysts can rupture and push out a thick cheesy material. When this material dries it can form a crust that when removed reveals the inside of the cyst. I would keep the area clean and monitor for any signs of redness, continued discharge or swelling. Do not allow Pogo to lick at the area and if it becomes inflamed he should be seen by your veterinarian.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy has a soft, fluid-filled lump on his head. What should I do?

It could be that Tucker has a cyst on top of his head. I would give the vet a call to make an appointment to have this checked out. If he does have a cyst, the vet can drain it in a sterile manner, and may want to do surgery to remove the cyst sac to prevent it from reoccurring. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a black bump on his head from scratching. Is it serious?

I would have Bentley seen by a vet tomorrow for this bump. It could be a cyst, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. Any suspicious bumps 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 bump to get a sample of it's 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 bump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options with you, which may include removal of it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has an itchy lump on his side. Should I take him to the vet?

That could be a little cyst or tumor or a black head (pimple) If your dog keeps scratching it, you should have it examined by a vet who can evacuate it in such a manner that it does not get infected, If it is a little tumor that keeps bothering him, it will be better to have it removed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share