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My dog has a painless bump under his neck skin. Should I see a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 5 years and 7 months old | 55 lbs

My 4yr old 1/4 German Shepherd, 1/4 dalmatian and 1/2 ??? has had a bump just suddenly show up on the back of his neck under his skin. What can it be? I can't attach a photo that will make it show up due to his shiny black coat. It's approx 1 1/2" long and 1" thick. It showed up pretty much within a day or so. He hasn't acted sick, it isn't painful, and he's the exact same dog just with this growth. I don't know if I need to just watch it or go ahead and take him to our vet. Advice?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on November 28th, 2017

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign growth or a malignant growth such as a mast cell tumor, melanoma, among many other possibilities. I recommend you have Houdini evaluated by your veterinarian for a test called fine needle aspirate which is an easy, quick and pain-free procedure which in the majority of cases will help reach a diagnosis to identify what the best course of action is based on the findings. In some cases, a biopsy is needed for a diagnosis. If it truly is benign then removal is not necessarily recommended. However, if it is malignant and it has not spread to other locations, then surgical removal is recommended. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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