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 sudden bump on its head. What could it be and what to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Blue Heeler | Male | unneutered | 8 months and 24 days old | 35 lbs

Sudden bump on top of dogs head

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Rebecca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 6th, 2017

A bump can be any number of things from an insect bite to infection/abscess, cyst or adnormal growth. If it is growing rapidly, is painful or changes in color or size quickly I would have Skookum checked by a vet.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC
Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist
Published on January 1st, 2017
Based on your description, it could be an abscess or an infected growth. For now apply a cone (e-collar) to prevent scratching and further trauma. Follow up with your veterinarian to have the area clipped, cleaned and evaluated for further treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 12th, 2018
Hello, it looks like that could be a small epithelial tumor. Most of the time those small tumors are benign and do not need removal. However, if it continues to grow or if she is bothering at it, then you should have your veterinarian evaluate this and likely remove it. Once removed, this should be sent to biopsy to confirm it is benign. Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on October 9th, 2017
Well, I agree it looks swollen and red. A bug bite is possible, but also a skin infection is probably more likely. Dogs do get skin infections fairly easily. A veterinarian can get a needle aspirate which can provide a lot of information about what it may be, as well as treatment recommendations.
Good luck! I hope it resolves quickly!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My puppy has a bump on his head that seems to be growing. What is it?

This could just be a normal formation of your dog skull. If it is not getting bigger, does not feel like it has fluid in it and there is no discharge I would recommend just measuring it once a day for about a week and seeing if it truly is getting bigger or not. If it is not it's likely a normal skull developing. If it is getting bigger then have your veterinarian take a look.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Bump on my 3-month-old puppy's head, no idea how it got there?

It is usually cause by hitting the head on something hard or bu an insect bite. monitor it for 3-4 days to make sure the swelling is going down, if it doesn't please take him to your vet in order to get it checked.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a sudden soft, squishy lump on his head. Is it a bug bite?

Well that's pretty odd! It could be a bug bug, a minor trauma outside while running around (so basically a big blood blister), or even the start of hives from an allergic reaction (but it would be an usual hive). A mass wouldn't show up so quickly. I would recommend monitoring Reggie closely for the next few hours to make sure it's not getting worse. If no changes, call your vet in the morning to schedule an appointment, but if keeps getting bigger or you notice any more changes in Reggie, head to an emergency clinic.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What's this bump scab on my dog's head and what should I do?

If this just appears to be a crusted area and is not raised, it is possible this was an insect bite that got irritated or a small scratch/wound. If the lesion is raised (I can't really tell from the appearance) then we sometimes get warty skin growths that can get traumatized and bleed/crust over. I would wash the area with a mild soap or Hibiclens (available at most drug stores) and apply a topical antibiotic like Polysporin or Neosporin a few times day. If she is scratching/rubbing at the area she may need an e-collar for a few days to stop self-trauma. If the lesions isn't improving after several days of this or it starts to get larger/other spots appear then these would be reasons to seek veterinary care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a swollen bump on his head. Should I ice or see a vet?

How awful for you that Buds ran off but I'm glad he came back! There are a couple of things this bump could be on his head. He could have injured himself, he could have an abscess, an insect bite, or he could have a cyst. Given that the bump has down with the ice pack and he is acting his normal self, I would continue to ice the bump for five minutes at a time a couple of times a day for the next two to three days. Should the bump go away completely, you can stop icing it. If the bump doesn't go away, gets larger, he has behavior changes such as lethargy and anorexia, and/or he shows other symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, then I would take him into a vet to have him examined. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has a black bump on his head from scratching. Is it serious?

I would have Bentley seen by a vet tomorrow for this bump. It could be a cyst, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. Any suspicious bumps 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 bump to get a sample of it's 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 bump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options with you, which may include removal of it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog has a small bump on his head I can only feel. Is it serious?

At three years of age, the chance of a bump being something serious like cancer would be rare but there is always a chance. It could also be that Chicharito has a benign tumor. Any suspicious bumps 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 bump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I'd make an appointment for him to be seen by the vet sometime in the next week. Best of 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