Why is my dog's forehead lump growing? What should I do next?

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 do not think you should continue to just monitor it as it is likely going to continue to grow. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an abscess. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Ozzie evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

It is difficult to appreciate any swelling or lump from the pictures provided. However, in general lumps can be due to an insect bite, an allergic reaction, an abscess, a fatty deposit or a cancerous mass. Your veterinarian will be able to test the mass by performing a fine needle aspirate to diagnose what it is. Treatment will depend on the cause of the mass.

I can appreciate an increase in size/swelling above the right eye in your photos here. A brain tumor itself normally wouldn't cause a visible swelling, as the brain is encased in the bony skull and a tumor would just cause increased pressure on the brain but not cause changes in the shape of the skull. That being said, we can have bony tumors of the skull that can change the skull shape. We can also have tumors of the soft tissue (skin, muscle, connective tissue) that could be seen on the head, and also tumors of the eye/muscles behind the eye. Your dog should definitely have an examination done by the vet. They may recommend an aspirate of the swelling to help tell what is causing it, an x-ray of the skull, and possibly more advanced imaging like a CT scan. This problem may be something easily fixed or may be more involved, but we won't know without further testing.

Hello, my name is Dr. Shines and I certainly share your concern. This may be some type of infection but I'm also concerned this could be a skin mass. I recommend to have Tony examined by the veterinarian if this is not going away within 2 week. Skin masses can be many things but red raised masses are especially concerning for a skin cancer called a Mast Cell tumor. Your veterinarian will need to collect a sample of cell to examine under the microscope to determine what this is and if further treatment is needed. At home you can continue to apply a warm compress 4-5 times a day for 10 minutes at a time. Protect the area from any itching or rubbing. Tony may need to wear an elizabethan collar. Again, if it's not completely gone in 2 weeks (and if you don't want to wait, you don't have to), have him examined. It's better to be safe. Hopefully it's nothing!

Hello. That looks like a small growth/tumor that originated in a tear-producing gland. Without an actual biopsy, we cannot say the exact type or if it is benign/malignant. However, the majority are Meibomian Gland Adenomas and typically are benign. They can bleed, cause inflammation or infection and, if large enough, can irritate or even scratch the cornea. They can be a nuisance. Monitor for squinting, pain, rubbing the eye or chronic discharge. Some need to be removed surgically. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

If you are talking about the swelling underneath the eye I would be concerned about a toothroot abscess. When they have an infection in one of their teeth they can present like this. I would highly recommend bringing Sweety to a veterinarian. If you are talking about the growth on her eye this would need to be surgically removed if it is causing Sweety some discomfort. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.