Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has a new skin lump. What could it be and what should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I don't know what this is

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Tomasz Wnuk

Veterinarian

Published on August 5th, 2021

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect this is a granuloma or a skin mass. A visit at your local vets is recommended to make the definite diagnosis and to start treatment for your dog. Your vet may have to take a needle aspirate from the lump to find out what kind of growth it is. Alternatively, treatment with steroids and antiseptic solution could be trialed first. If the growth responds to the treatment, it would strongly point towards the diagnosis of granuloma.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 9th, 2018
This could be a bacterial infection, some inflammatory skin infection or a tumor. I suggest you make an appointment with your vet for an exam on Monday. Your vet may want to take a tissue sample to verify what type of lesion it is and how to treat it.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on January 29th, 2019
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Graham evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

What is this skin lump on my dog, why is it there, and how can I help?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect this is a skin mass It could also be chronically infected and inflamed skin, but it is less likely. A visit at your local vets is recommended to make the definite diagnosis (taking aspirates of the lesion may be necessary) and to start treatment for Coco. If it is a skin mass, surgical excision may be the only treatment option. Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do at home to help Coco.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a small, movable lump under its skin. What is it?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have your pup evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has an itchy white lump and a brown growth. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do recommend all abnormal growths be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if they are benign (non-cancerous) or not. Skin growths can be due to a variety of reasons, including allergies, infection, allergies, warts, or true tumors. What type of growth it is typically can be evaluated by a needle sample by your veterinarian, and then a treatment plan can be made, if needed. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is suddenly developing bumps all over his body, what's wrong?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to see that your dog is getting these bumps. Any bump or mass on a dog should be examined by a veterinarian in person. Your vet can perform an exam and a fine-needle aspirate of the mass - where he/she uses a needle and syringe to sample cells from the mass and look at them under a microscope. This way, your veterinarian can determine what type of mass that is and then recommend treatment. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a new, firm, itchy lump on his neck. What should I do?

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that Cooper has a lump on his neck. Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose a lump based on what it looks like. Therefore, I would take Cooper to a veterinarian to perform a full physical exam and determine if is in fact a lump that needs to be tested or a wound/abscess or something else. Based on what it is, your veterinarian will determine the best treatment. Good luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My old dog has hair loss and a fluid lump near his groin. What is it?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is not possible to know for sure what it is without being able to evaluate it under the microscope. This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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 his evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a new, soft, movable lump on her neck. What is it?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Layla. Poor girl! This lump could be a cyst, an abscess (a pocket of infection), a swelling from an injury, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately without seeing her in person, I cannot say for certain what is causing her lump. 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 its 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 cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give her vet a call in the morning to get her an appointment. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share