My pit bull has a growing skin tag. What causes dog skin growths?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I agree that they do not sound like skin tags. These could be benign or malignant growths. 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!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thank you for the pictures. Sadly I do not think the growth is a skin tag. I don't like the color or the bubble protuberance. It still could be benign but it doesn't have the typical skin tag appearance. I would have it removed and biopsied. I wish you and Bam the best!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It looks like a skin tag. However, the fact that the area is bald suggests that Tripp has been scratching or biting on it. Please, monitor the area for a few days. If you notice that the tag is getting bigger or if it is bothering Tripp, you should get him checked by your local vets. In that case, surgical removal of the wart may be necessary.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the picture. These are clusters of very small skin tags. My dog gets these as well. He had an almost identical looking cluster on his chest. During a dental I cauterized them off. They shouldn't cause Buster any harm, but I agree they do not look great :( I wish you and Buster the best!

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. While I cannot comment on the specific skin lesion Cali had without seeing it myself, yes - dogs get many of the same types of skin lesions that humans get, and are prone to developing benign skin lesions such as skin tags, warty growths, and cysts, as well as more concerning cancerous growths. Just like in human medicine, the best way to tell these apart is to have them seen by a vet, who will often get a small sample with a needle and look at the cells on a slide to evaluate the cause of the growth. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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. As far as the tail lesion goes, it could be an infection so I would recommend having her checked by your veterinarian if it continues to be an issue. I do not think wrapping it is going to help. Good luck and have a good day!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Casey and for providing a picture. It's very helpful! That looks more than a skin tag, but the photo is a little blurry. I'm actually concerned with how it looks, and it may be he's been scratching at it so much it's ripped open. This definitely needs to be checked out by a vet. Give his vet a call now to make him an appointment. Until you get into the vet, I'd put a bandage over it to protect it and keep him from scratching at it. I hope this helps!