My 8-year-old Labrador has a golf ball lump on his neck. What is it?

This could be a hematoma, a cyst or a tumor. The most common tumors in this location would be a fatty tumor, which usually is benign. However the only way to determine what kind of mass this is is to take Rocky to your veterinarian for an exam. Your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate (he takes some material from the bump with a needle and then looks at it under the microscope) to determine whether the mass is concerning.

I certainly understand being worried about Teddy! Unfortunately, it could be possible that these lumps are his lymph nodes and that they are swollen due to lymphoma (a type of cancer). It could also be that he has a dental problem such as a tooth root abscess causing his enlarged lymph nodes. It's a good idea that you are having him seen by the vet on Friday. You can also the receptionist if they can contact you if an appointment opens up sooner, but definitely have him seen this week. 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.

This could be a seroma from an injury, a cyst, abscess or a tumor. Cysts and abscesses need to be drained by a vet. If your vet suspects a tumor, he will do a fine needle aspirate to determine whether it is a harmless lipoma, which does not need to be removed unless it is ulcerating or bothers the dog due to its location or size, or another tumor that needs to be removed. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam of the mass.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could also be a hygroma. 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 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! I work with cancer daily and I do think there is a good chance that it is in fact a benign fatty tumor as older labs get those frequently. However, it could also be something malignant such as a mast cell tumor, sarcoma, among others. This is most of the time differentiated with a test called a fine needle aspirate which is easy, cheap and pain-free. Sometimes, a biopsy is required for a diagnosis. Have Laya evaluated by your veterinarian to have this test performed to try to sort out what the diagnosis is so that the best course of action can be determined. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign!

From the location my best guess would be an enlarged lymph node - this could be confirmed on a physical exam performed by your vet. Lymph nodes are where his immune system is stored and can become enlarged when Luicus is fighting an infection, or inflammation. It may be best to have him examined tomorrow to check he's not running a fever.

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.