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My dog has a soft lump on his belly near his penis. What could it be?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Silky Terrier | Male

Hi my Silky terrier cross has lump in the belly top of his penis since one month ago. It’s little soft now. He seems fine and he eats and drink properly , but idk what is that ?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on June 1st, 2018

This looks like an umbilical hernia, quite common and usually not serious in dogs. It is usually recommended to repair it when general anesthetic is performed for castration.
Anyway, generally speaking, 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 (if it is an hernia physical examination will be enough). 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).
Other differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors (unlikely if Ichirou is under 5 years of age).
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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on November 10th, 2017
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It's hard to see in your picture but my suspicion based on the location (midline, above the penis, reducible) is that he has an umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is fat that moves in and out of a small opening (defect) in the body wall. This was present at birth and is a genetic condition. Some male dogs who have umbilical hernias are also cyrptorchid (one or both testicles are retained in the body and are not in the scrotum). Dogs with umbilical hernias should not be bred. Most of the time umbilical hernias are harmless and non-painful. If and when you have Timmy neutered you can have the hernia repaired, they are usually easy to fix.

I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniela Jessen, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 27th, 2018
Hi,
Congratulation on the new addition to the family! so what I suspect from the description and also suspect from the pics I would say the puppy may have an umbilical hernia which is a common condition. I would suggest to take the puppy to first puppy check with a vet to confirm, the vet typically diagnoses umbilical hernias easily upon feeling the protrusion. In most cases the vet will follow up and monitor it till the hernia is corrected at the time of castration around 6 mo of age. Bear in mind that these hernias indicates a genetic predisposition to the condition that can be passed on through generations so the dog not meant for breeding anyway please have him castrated as soon as suggested by your vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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