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 new lump on her ear. When should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 6 years and 10 months old | 40 lbs

What is this lump on ng dogs ear, just appeared, didn't have it 3 weeks ago

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 30th, 2019

If this just showed up, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this. It may be a type of tumor that needs to be removed called a mast cell tumor. I would err on the side of caution and have the veterinarian look at this and perform some additional testing on it. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

7Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 27th, 2018
I would definitely get it check and see about removal to be safe. There is a good change it is a histiocytoma which are not cancerous and sometimes can go away by themselves. however mast cell tumors can be aggressive and have the same appearance. you vet can take an aspirate to see if surgery is needed or if you can wait it out to see if it goes away on its own.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 2nd, 2019
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your Rosie. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. A procedure known as a fine needle aspirate will likely be performed. The veterinarian will use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This will help the veterinarian diagnose the mass. There is a benign growth known as a histiocytoma. Unfortunately, it has the same outward appearance as an aggressive form of skin cancer called a mast cell tumor. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growing lump on his ear. What could it be and what to do?

This could just be a benign growth but without seeing Mac in person, I can't say for certain. 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. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a huge lump growing out of her ear. What should I do?

Poor guy. This lump appears to be a huge mass and possible polyp. You will need to get this tested by your vet and seriously consider surgical removal of the mass. If left there this mass has a good chance of causing chronic ear infection, pain, and also can continue to grow. It is best to get this removed, so please consult with your veterinarian to devise a good plan for Little Bit in the near future. I hope that LIttle bit's ear mass gets resolved soon. Best of luck and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red, peeling ear bump. When should I worry and see a vet?

Yes, I would recommend Houdini is checked by a vet as soon as possible; many tumors can develop on the ears and early diagnosis maximises the chance of a complete cure. Biopsy or removal and submission to the lab for accurate diagnosis is recommended in any growing or hairless mass, especially with the color change you describe.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a red lump in her ear. Should I take her to the vet now?

Thanks for sending there photo of Isha. From the photo the bump looks like a cyst but I think new lumps and bumps should always be investigated by a veterinarian. They can examine her and her ear and potentially take a small aspirated sample of the bump to look at it under a microscope or send to a pathologist. This is the way to rule out whether it is a tumor or not.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has an ear bump. Is it serious or will it go away on its own?

That does look to be a mass. A mass is a collection of cells and can be benign (inflammation, cyst, some tumors) or a malignant tumor. Given the age of your dog this may be a histiocytoma, but as many skin tumors can look alike the best plan to confirm this is for your vet to perform a needle aspirate for cytology. That way you will know for sure if this can be monitored or if it needs any therapy. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a bump on her head and ear. Should I be concerned?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do recommend that all new bumps or lumps be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if they are benign (non-cancerous) or not. There are multiple non-concerning growths of the skin (such as adenomas or warts) that do not need to be addressed, but there are certain types of skin cancer (such as mast cell tumors) that would need to be removed in order to be cured. I would recommend having Ebony evaluated by her regular veterinarian to determine if these bumps are concerning or not, and if any treatment is needed. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a bleeding ear bump that's growing. What could it be?

I would recommend having Lily evaluated by the vet if this mass is getting bigger. any abnormal growth that is changing in size and shape should be assessed to make sure that it is not malignant. A needle aspirate may give your vet enough clues to determine what this is, or they may recommend surgical biopsy or removal. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share