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My 9-year-old dog has a lump on his neck. Should I be worried?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Bulldog | Male | unneutered | 82 lbs

My America bulldog will be 9 years old next month. I noticed today a nodule in his neck area. He is eating plenty and drinking water. I'm scared what this could be! I'm ready g different things on Google and I am scared. This dog is extra special because he was my father's dog. We lost my dad to colon cancer in 2011. Before my father died he made me promise I would take care of him. I have kept my promise constantly! I'm scared for my boy! HELP!!

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 11th, 2017

Hi. I would take Bobo to the vet today an exam. They may do a needle aspirate which is sticking the lump with a needle to get a sample of cells to look at under the microscope. They're are just as many benign things it could be as scary ones. It may only be a lipoma or cyst. It might be a type of cancer but the sooner it is looked at the sooner it can be treated. Some tumors can be cured by surgical removal so it's best to have it assessed while still small. Best of luck to Bobo.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Priyanka Thakkar, DVM
Veterinarian
I'm so sorry you lost your father. Seeing your veterinarian and getting a biopsy or a needle sample is The only way to figure out what that nodule. Seeing a new growth or even feeling it alone is not always enough to know what kind of cells they are. It could just be a fatty tumor and not need any additional attention. It could also be a tumor which is cancerous and should be removed immediately. I recommend to not get too worked up until you have it seen and tested as it could be nothing to worry about. Good luck and I hope you have a positive outcome to ease your worries.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Juliana, DVM
Veterinarian
Don't be scared yet!! A nodule on the neck area can be many things that are totally benign and fixable including a fatty deposit (lipoma) , area of infection or abscess, or a cyst. Of course, lumps can be more concerning (a lymph node or tumor) so it is always important to have your veterinarian examine bobo as soon as possible to sort out what this could be and to ease your worries. Sometimes they will take a needle aspirate sample from the lump and look under the microscope to determine what is going on. I hope this ends up being nothing to worry about and great job taking such good care of bobo!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on March 4th, 2017
Poor Ralphie! I can definitely understand your concerns. Without being able to examine him, it's hard to say for sure what these nodules might be. One possibility is certainly a thyroid tumor - dogs can sometimes get thyroid carcinomas, which can be palpated on the ventral neck in some cases. The other possibility that comes to mind from your description is that he may have enlarged prescapular or submandibular lymph nodes, depending on exactly where the nodules are that you're feeling.

I agree that this is worrying, so I would definitely try and get Ralphie in to see the vet as soon as you are able to. He/she can do a simple test called a fine needle aspirate, which involves using a small needle to remove some cells from the nodules for analysis. This should help to determine what these nodules are, and help dictate a treatment plan from there if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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