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

Why is my dog's red belly lump growing and changing? Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red lump on his belly, which is growing. The lump used to be a flat red spot, but it’s now lumpy. Does this look dangerous, or something harmless?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on April 28th, 2018

Poor Baby! Due to its dark color and it's changing nature, I would have your vet take a look at it. It could just be a benign blood cyst and nothing to worry about, but it could also be a malignant tumor that needs to be safe. If your vet isn't sure, I would have it surgically removed and sent to the lab for testing to be on the safe side. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 5th, 2020
Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps in this location can be any of these things:

* abscess (infection)
* cyst
* cancer (benign or malignant)
* wart

There is no way I can tell you with 100% certainty what it is just based on your description or by looking at a photo but my best guess is that it is probably a histiocytoma.

( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 27th, 2017
That is most likely a histiocytoma:

https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1676

It could also be a cyst or a plugged hair follicle. It is hard to say just by looking at the photo.

My recommendation would be to take her to your vet to have it checked. If it is a histiocytoma it may go away on it's own within a few weeks to months.

Hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog has a growing lump on her stomach. Is it a harmful cyst?

It's concerning this lump has gotten bigger, and it could be a cyst, a benign growth, or a malignant growth. 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 S's vet a call to make her an appointment.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a lump on her stomach, is it serious and what should I do?

This lump/growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, infections or benign or malignant 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog's dark lump on her stomach popped and is bleeding. Help!

This looks like it could be a cyst or a skin tumor like a hemangioma. I find that once a skin growth ruptures it tends to happen again, so I would definitely recommend making an appointment to see your veterinarian. They will probably recommend surgically removing this growth.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a stomach growth with blood that's getting bigger. What to do?

This mass certainly looks concerning. As it is growing, there is a suspicion that it is likely a malignant mass. I suggest you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam and a so-called Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) where your veterinarian takes a small amount of tissue from the mass with a fine needle. This is usually not painful and will help determine the type of mass and whether it needs to be removed surgically.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a growing mass on his belly. When should I see a vet?

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The end of the nodule seems to have an ulcerated appearance which concerns me. Definitely have your vet take a look at this. I would recommend removal & having the tissue sent for pathology for identification. It looks like a full excision should be curative. Hope this helps. Take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's lipoma on his abdomen is turning black. Is this normal?

It could be the skin itself is changing in color or if he lays on it a lot it could be changing in color as well. Since the mass has been there for awhile and now suddenly changing, I would have your vet look at it to make sure it still looks ok. Your vet will be able to do a cytology if needed to make sure it hasn't turned into anything besides just a lipoma. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a dark, bloody bump on her belly. Should I worry?

Hi, sometimes dogs can get blood blisters usually on their underside. If it's not bothering her, leave it alone. Iy may go away on its own or stay there. If you think she's bothered by it, she should see a vet about getting it removed. But it doesn't mean anything bad is going on. Good luck, 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