Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    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
    Petco Pay LogoBecome 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

Should I worry about hard black lumps on my dog's ear and belly?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 49 lbs

My dog has a hard black lump on the inside of her ear. It's not massively bothering her but it is quite big. Last night we also found a similar smaller lump on her belly near her back leg. I am going to book a Vets appointment but was wondering if you had any idea what it could be and should I be worried. She is a rescure mixed breed (beagle/staff/lab possibly others) and around 8 years old x

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 16th, 2019

Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet so I'm glad you are planning a vet visit. Lumps are usually one of these things:

* abscess
* cyst
* tumor/cancer

There is no way I can tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion it is a tumor of some sort; may be benign or malignant. Your vet will be able to tell you more after the exam.
Vote Icon7Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

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

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 28th, 2020

    Hi, and thanks for your question.
    Although a picture of it would help to give you a more specific answer, this lump/bump/growth should be ideally examined by your local vet to have a diagnosis established.
    Your vet may want to perform an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy to sample the bump and determine its underlying nature.
    Differentials would include skin cysts, infections, benign or more malignant type of tumors.
    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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

    Vote Icon

    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
What are black lumps on my dog's stomach and what should I do?
It is hard to tell from the picture what these could be. Sometimes growths of the oil glands in the skin can appear this way. Infection can also be black and crusty. Melanomas can also appear as black growths on the skin. I would recommend that you take her to see your veterinarian so they can take a sample to diagnose it so that you know what it is and what needs to be done about it.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My pit bull has a bump on his ear. What could it be? Should I worry?
This may be an abscess, a cyst or a tumor. You should have it examined by your veterinarian, as it is not possible to distinguish these by just looking at a photo. An abscess can usually be treated with antibiotics and/or be lanced, and a cyst can be evacuated. To identify a tumor, your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate (he takes some material from the bump with a needle and then looks at it under the microscope) to determine whether the mass is concerning.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has new lumps and bites his tail. Should I see a vet?
Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps are usually one of these things: * abscess (infection) * cyst * tumor/cancer There is no way I can tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion these are cysts. That being said, usually they don't cause the dog any issues so that fact that he is biting at his tail makes me think he needs to see your vet.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has a new lump on her ear. When should I see a vet?
If this just showed up, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this. It may be a type of tumor that needs to be removed called a mast cell tumor. I would err on the side of caution and have the veterinarian look at this and perform some additional testing on it. I hope this helps! 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
Health & Wellness
What are the growing black and pink lumps on my pit bull's belly?
These are masses (tumors) that should be examined by your vet. Just by looking at them it is not possible to determine whether they are malignant or benign, but your vet can do a so-called FNA (Fine Needle Aspirate) where he takes a little bit of tissue of the growth with a very fine injection needle (usually does not hurt) and sends it to a laboratory to determine malignancy. Please make and appointment with your veterinarian for an exam.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog has a black lump growing on her head. Should I be worried?
This lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take her 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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has a lump on its ear tip. What is it? Should I go to the vet?
Thanks for sending pictures of Layla's ear. Unfortunately, it is hard to say from the photo. It could be a scab, mass, or area of inflammation/infection. I don't think it seems to be causing a significant issue at the moment. I would monitor it daily for change. If it seems progressive, Layla should be assessed by a vet.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog SuppliesDog FoodDog ToysDog Health & WellnessDog Treats & ChewsDog Medicine and PrescriptionsDog Ear & Eye MedicineDog Ear & Eye CareDog Ear CareDog Clothes & AccessoriesDog Thyroid Medication & Hormone CareDog Vitamins & SupplementsPrescription Dog Digestive MedicationsAntifungal Medication for DogsDog Blood Pressure MedicationPrescription Dewormer for DogsDog Pain Relief & Arthritis MedsHeartworm Medicine for DogsDog Pill CapsulesPrescription Shampoo for Dogs
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button