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 red bump on her lip that's growing. Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 1 year old | 45 lbs

There is a hard red bump on the side of my dogs bottom lip. It started off small and white so i gave it some time to go away and it only got bigger and now i'm concerned. I just want to know if it's something serious that should be checked out or if it's a normal thing that happens? She's a one year old boxer/pit mix.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 30th, 2017

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Kona does have what appears to be a small, round, red and slightly bloody bump on her lip margin. This can be caused by an infection, which may have resulted from a small cut. While Kona is pretty young, it is possible that the bump is a small tumor, and it can be removed to determine if it is benign (not harmful) or malignant (likely to spread). It is concerning that the bump has gotten bigger over time, so I recommend having her seen by a vet. You can get her an E-collar or "cone" to prevent her from scratching or rubbing the area. I hope this helps!

4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 21st, 2018
I am sorry to hear about Rocky! Your information doesn't mention Rocky's age. If he is a young dog, under 2 years old, it is possible this is a growth called a histiocytoma http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1676 . These growths do eventually resolve on their own but it can take months and oftentimes surgical removal is easier especially if the dog is traumatizing the area. In an older dog we would be more concerned about potential for cancerous growths such as mast cell tumors. I would recommend you bring Rocky in to his vet to examine the growth. They may recommend a cytology be done of the mass which could involve pressing a microscope slide against the lesion or inserting a needle into the mass to collect cells to help identify the growth and determine the best treatment. In the meantime, if Rocky is bothering the growth you may need to put an e-collar on him to prevent self-trauma. Best of luck to you and Rocky!
8Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Food & Nutrition

My old dog has a painless red lump on her lip. Is it serious?

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 Panda evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Should I worry about a small red blood filled bump on my dog's lip?

The photo is a little fuzzy so its hard to say. It may be an oral papilloma, which is due to canine papillomavirus. Typically these resolve on their own, but many more may pop up over the next few weeks on his lips and in his mouth. It could also be an inflamed hair follicle or a skin infection. If its not resolving over the next few days to weeks, or if it seems to be getting worse or causing him discomfort, please take him to your vet to be evaluated. Here is an article on canine papilloma virus. http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/oral-papilloma-virus-dogs Thanks for asking PetCoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red, raw lip bump that won't go away. What is it?

I would recommend having this spot examined by your veterinarian. Boxers are prone to developing tumors, especially mast cell tumors and it is possible that this spot on his nose is something like a mast cell tumor. Other more benign tumors are possible, or it may be an area of infection or a granuloma. Your veterinarian may want to take a sample using a needle (fine needle aspirate) to examine under the microscope and help determine what this mass might be.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a red lip spot growing like a cold sore. What could it be?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Without seeing a picture of what you are describing it is difficult to say for sure what this could be. I suspect, due to Blue's age, that this could be a viral papilloma, histiocytoma or pimple-like growth. In all 3 cases, it should resolve on its own. It could be something other than these 3 possibilities. If the spot does not resolve or it worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Blue to that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a bump on her lip. Is it a cold sore or skin growth?

I am sorry that Kylie has developed this lump on her lip. Dogs can get viral lesions, though this does not appear to be one. From the pictures you have sent the "bump" appears to be a skin growth. There are several types off masses that can grow in the skin of dogs such as cysts, lipomas, allergic reactions and even some type of cancers. Some are benign and some are malignant, so careful observation is important, as well as having a vet examine it if you are concerned. Since you only just noticed the lump, I would continue to monitor it for growth, ulceration, changes in texture or color. Measure the mass with a ruler so you can compare its growth in a weeks time. Rapidly growing masses are more concerning. I hope that this answer was helpful and more importantly that Kylie feels better soon. Warmest regards to you both.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 9-month-old dog has a gray lump on her lip. Is it serious?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Even young dogs can develop growths. This can be a viral wart or another tumor type like a mast cell tumor, histiocytoma, among many others. 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 her 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

My dog has a white bump on her lip that's growing. Should I worry?

I'm glad to hear that Colette does not seem to be bothered by this mass! The only way to definitively determine the type of mass present (benign or malignant) is through a fine needle aspirate and/or biopsy. Without determining the type of mass, I can't say if this is something that should be monitored for changes or if it should be surgically removed. Since it has noticeably grown in just the past few days, your safest bet is to take her to the vet to have the mass evaluated. I hope that all goes well!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share