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My dog has a painful, open abdominal lump. Could it be cancer?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

My dog has a large lump on her abdomen, it looks rather like a volcano. The sore is open, but I can’t see any signs of pus or mucus, beside the area I have described is also some mole like lumps that appear to be black, my dog also cannot walk on her hind leg as a result of the sore, I think it rubs against the ulcer like sore. I am concerned and was googling before I take her to the vet, then this question box popped up, would you have any ideas? my thought is cancer :(

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on May 23rd, 2018

This large lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take Roara to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.
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Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 19th, 2017

    I would be concerned in a senior dog like Jazzy, this bumpy dark spot could be a sign of a malignant tumor. I would have her seen by a vet in the morning to have this examined. If the vet is concerned it's a lump, they can do 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. Once a diagnosis is made, the vet can discuss treatment with you.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Published on March 21st, 2018

    This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration).
    Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors.
    Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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