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My dog has a hard lump where he got his vaccine. Is it normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pug | Male | neutered | 3 years old

Last night, I noticed a hard, oval-shaped lump under Bruce's skin right by one of his shoulder blades. It doesn't seem to bother him at all, and he seems healthy aside from that. I noticed it's in the same place he got his vaccines last week and a few weeks ago. Is this normal, or something to be concerned over?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Eryn Taormina, DVM

Answered By Eryn Taormina, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 21st, 2018

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear about Bruce's lump. Vaccinations can definitely leave behind a small bump at times. If this happens after I vaccinate a dog, I will have the client bring their pet in so I can examine the spot, make sure that it coincides with where I gave the vaccine for sure. If it is something new rather than a lump from the vaccine, it can be addressed accordingly. As long as it is just from the vaccine, then we monitor the spot over the course of a few weeks.
If it is a localized inflammatory response to the vaccine, it usually will go away over time. If it persists, some clients will opt to have me remove the tiny lump and test it to make sure it just comes back as an inflammatory response and not something serious.
I would definitely call your veterinarian and have Bruce get a quick examination to make sure all is well, and you will likely just monitor the lump going forward.
I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Amber W

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on December 15th, 2017

    Hi Lee! A lump that big following a vaccine is a little concerning to me. It could be a vaccine reaction or even a pocket of infection (called an abscess).

    I recommend calling your veterinarian to schedule an appointment for Ernie as soon as possible. He may need a small needle sample taken from the area to determine if any medication is required to treat the reaction. There is a possibility he may need the area drained if a pocket of infection is present. You can try applying a cool pack to the area until you can get to the veterinarian, but I'd encourage you not to wait too long to see the vet.

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and I hope Ernie is on the mend soon!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 15th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    Yes! Injection site granulomas can be seen at the site of vaccination. They are non-painful, moveable but firm and are about the size of a marble at the location of the vaccine. To confirm call your Vet and tell them where it is and ask if a vaccine was given in that location. I have ti most commonly happen with the Rabies vaccine. They do go away on their own with time.

    Have a great day!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on December 14th, 2017

    I would be pretty concerned,
    As this is pretty big if it has just grown in a week. I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon. This could be an infection, a benign tumor, or even a cancerous tumor. The faster you can find out what it is the more likely it is to be solved. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon! Thank you for using Pet Coach.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My dog has a soft lump after a vaccine shot. Is it normal or serious?
That is a very common occurrence after vaccination. The vaccine can cause a localized reaction and it should resolve on its own within a month. If it persists, seems larger, or bothers him that have your vet take a look at it.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
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My dog has a bump after vaccination. Should I worry or see a vet?
This could be a skin reaction to a sting or bite, or a cyst or a little abscess or in fact a small tumor or wart. I suggest you observe the spot weekly, and if it changes in size or color or if it starts to hurt or the skin around it turns red, then you should have it examined by your veterinarian. If it stays the same or gets smaller, then it is likely nothing you have to worry about and you can show it to your vet the during the next routine visit.
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My dog has a lump after rabies shot. Is it normal and will it go away?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Belle is SOOO cute! I have had a lump form at the site of the Rabies vaccine in some of my patients as well. It is a local pyogranulomatous reaction that is non-painful. It is harmless and will go away. It can take a month or more in some animals. You do not need to do anything expect monitor it. I hope this helps and I wish you and Belle the best!
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Vet Q & A
My dog has lumps after vaccines. Should I worry if vet is closed?
I wouldn't worry about the lump just yet, but I would have it checked out by the vet on Monday. This lump could be a cyst, an abscess, a lipoma, or a benign tumor. 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 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 vet diagnoses the cause of the lump, they can discuss treatment with you.
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My dog's vaccine site is swollen. Is this normal? What should I do?
Hello and thank you very much for your question. What you were most likely experiencing is an injection site reaction. D’s can sometimes go away within 24 to 48 hours for these can stay for months. Sometimes these reactions can also be painful and elicit other immune responses such as difficulty breathing, etc. My best advice is to contact the veterinary clinic that administered the injections and tell them what you are experiencing. What most likely will happen is that they may want to re-examine your animal and possibly give you some topical or oral or injectable medication to offset the inflammation. Generally, these appointments do not cost anything and be makers of the vaccine take care of the costs associated. But this all depends on the veterinarian and the clinic involved. So I Urge you to call the veterinary clinic and schedule an appointment as soon as possible to get this lump checked out. We really appreciate you using our service. I hope I have helped.
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My dog has a lump on her neck after vet injections. Is it normal?
Many injections can cause temporary lumps which are generally painless and resolve over 4-6weeks. If there is any discomfort or heat in the area or it does not reduce over time you should have it checked by your vet to rule out more sinister causes
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Vet Q & A
What's this dark lump on my chihuahua puppy's neck after vaccination?
Without examining Casper, it's hard to determine the exact cause of his lesion. Most vaccines are administered in under the skin in a leg, but if Casper's vaccine was given between his shoulder blades, it is possible that this could be related. Some causes of lumps and bumps include benign or malignant masses (histiocytomas are common in young dogs and are benign), sebaceous cysts, an imbedded tick or granuloma. Casper should see his vet to have this lesion evaluated by means of a fine needle aspirate. To accomplish this, your vet will draw a few samples from the lesion with a needle (it's quick and relatively painless!) and examine the cells microscopically. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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