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My dog has a strange lump. What is it and when should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Female | unspayed | 6 months and 22 days old | 40 lbs

What is this and what can I do to help my dog?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 11th, 2017

This could be an abscess forming, a focal area of ringworm, or even a focal type of mite called Demodex. You can try applying a warm compress and keeping the area clean and seeing if it improves. Typically an appointment like Neosporin is it very effective but it likely wouldn't cause any harm. I would recommend having Jade wear an e-collar to prevent her from scratching at the area or rubbing her face on the ground as that can make it worse.

If the area becomes increasingly swollen, red, painful or begins draining it should be seen by veterinarian. This is because that indicates your dog will likely need antibiotics and potentially the site flushed.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
This looks like a mass or a cyst. I would recommend to had a vet look at it to ensure it isn't cancerous. If she is messing with it, I would place a cone collar on her to prevent her from making it worse.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Britni Miller, DVM
Veterinarian
Unfortunately lumps and bumps cannot be diagnosed based on pictures. It could be something benign such as a cyst or sebaceous adenoma, or it could be something malignant such as a mast cell tumor. The only way to know for sure is to have Jade seen by her veterinarian. They will do a physical exam and take a sample, called a fine needle aspirate, to look at under the microscope. They can then determine what, if any treatment is needed.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA
Veterinarian
It is difficult to tell from these pictures where on the body the cyst(s) is/are located. If on the jaw or muzzle it could be secondary to dental disease. It is also possible that Jade got bitten by an insect or stuck her face into a foxtail plant or cactus causing cutaneous foreign body lesions. Other possibilities include enlarged lymph nodes or even lymphoma. Your veterinarian will be able to test these lumps to determine exactly what they are and recommend appropriate treatment depending on the diagnosis.
0Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Stacey Anstaett, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 13th, 2018
I would recommend you get her in to your vet. It looks like a raised lump, as well as being ulcerated (broken skin) and inflamed. It may be some type of skin tumor, or it may be an abscess or other infection. If she is scratching at it or rubbing it, put an e-collar on her so she can’t damage it further while you’re waiting for your appointment. Your vet may want to take a small needle sample or an impression smear to take a look at the cells under a microscope. Based on what your vet finds, he or she can give you treatment recommendations moving forward to resolve it.

I hope that’s helpful! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog has a soft, quickly appearing lump with no pain. What to do?

Has he been licking at it? Can you identify a wound on it? It may be an abscess (localized infection) under the skin, as thise can show up very quickly. You can shave the hair over the top and clean it with dilute Betadine (available at any pharmacy - use water to dilute it so it looks like tea). Put an ecollar (cone) on him to prevent him from biting or chewing on it, and make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can—but it’s not something you need to see an emergency vet for as long as it’s not seeming painful and he’s eating and acting normally. Other possible causes would be some type of tumor (though less likely with his age), or a fluid accumulation called a seroma. Your vet may Do a fine needle aspirate (poke the bump with a needle and then look at cells under the microscope) to see what it is and then know how best to treat it. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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