My dog has a soft, movable bump under his ear. Is it an emergency?

It's not an emergency but this lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take Diesel to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If it truly was not there yesterday, this is most likely to be a bug bite (tick, mosquito, spider, bee, other), dog/cat bite (if he was wrestling with any other friends lately), or some other random trauma (crashing through a spiky bush or catching it on something). If you're unsure how long it's been there, add cyst, benign or malignant tumor, and others to the list of possibilities. I'd slap some neosporin on there twice daily and watch it. If no improvement in 3 days (or if worsening at any time), it's time to see the vet. This goes for any accompanying facial swelling, vomiting, or diarrhea, as these could be signs of serious allergic reaction. Best of luck to you and Lucky!

It would be best to have it looked at as soon as you can him examined. It may just be a cyst but it could also be an abscess or a tumor. I'm glad it is not bothering him but that doesn't necessarily mean it's not something worse than just a cyst.

Hi Sinead! The answer to your question depends on a few things. If the lump has come up suddenly, it has been getting bigger by the day, it bothers her, and/or she has had changes in behavior such as eating less, vomiting, and lethargy, then yes I would take her into an ER vet. If this lump on Roxt isn't bothering her, it doesn't get any bigger, and she's acting normally, then it's fine to wait until next week. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Has he been licking at it? Can you identify a wound on it? It may be an abscess (localized infection) under the skin, as thise can show up very quickly. You can shave the hair over the top and clean it with dilute Betadine (available at any pharmacy - use water to dilute it so it looks like tea). Put an ecollar (cone) on him to prevent him from biting or chewing on it, and make an appointment with your vet as soon as you can—but it’s not something you need to see an emergency vet for as long as it’s not seeming painful and he’s eating and acting normally. Other possible causes would be some type of tumor (though less likely with his age), or a fluid accumulation called a seroma. Your vet may Do a fine needle aspirate (poke the bump with a needle and then look at cells under the microscope) to see what it is and then know how best to treat it. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I’m sorry to hear Bella has a bump on her ear. I do recommend all new growths new evaluated by your regular veterinarian to determine if they are malignant (cancer) or not. I would keep your appointment, but if you are very concerned you could call and see if they have any earlier availabilities. Good luck!

That does look to be a mass. A mass is a collection of cells and can be benign (inflammation, cyst, some tumors) or a malignant tumor. Given the age of your dog this may be a histiocytoma, but as many skin tumors can look alike the best plan to confirm this is for your vet to perform a needle aspirate for cytology. That way you will know for sure if this can be monitored or if it needs any therapy. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!