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Why does my 8-year-old dog have hard neck lumps and a choking cough?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | 9 lbs

I have a small chi/ yorkie male he 8 years, and he has two large hard lumps on his neck and sometime he couch like he choked, he good active playing and walks but he does sleep and doesn't drink as much water as he us to, but bowel is good and he holds his per so I will take him got walks Hope you can help me I'm so afraid something Sinbad wrong Thank you L Crawford

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 8th, 2016

These lumps on Rocky Road (love his name!) could be due to a cyst, a benign tumor, or a malignant 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. I would take him into the vet tomorrow to have the lumps examined and diagnosed. Once the lump is diagnosed, the vet can recommend treatment.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 23rd, 2018
Given Champ's age, this lump is most likely to be some type of benign tumor, but there is a always a chance it could be malignant. It could also be a cyst. Given that it seems to be growing quickly, I would have him seen by a vet for it. 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. I would have him seen by a vet in the next couple of days to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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