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

Lump on 5-month-old boxer puppy's back: bee sting or vaccine reaction?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Female | unspayed | 4 months and 19 days old | 30 lbs

I have a 5 month old boxer puppy, and a lump about the size of a quarter appeared on her back yesterday. It looks like it’s right below the skin? It’s hard to get a photo, but I’m not sure what the cause could be of it showing up. She was outside playing a lot yesterday during the day, so I was thinking she might have got stung by a wasp or bee. The only other thing I could think of would be that something happened after she got her last puppy shots on the 1st. Calling our vet in the am. thanks!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 8th, 2020

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It could be any of those things: a localized vaccine reaction, a reaction to her microchip (if she has one), an insect sting.... no way for me to tell you which. Just call your vet to discuss when you can. Take some photos of the lump so that you can maybe send to them so they can decide if you need to bring her in or try some home treatment first.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My 2-month-old puppy has a sudden, non-painful neck lump. What is it?

This lump in your puppy’s skin is probably nothing to worry about. It could be from an insect bite or sting or may be a reaction to a vaccine he had in that area. Keep an eye on it for now. If it becomes larger, painful, or red, then take him to your vet right away. Or if he starts acting lethargic, vomits/has diarrhea or stops wanting to eat, you should take him to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My Boxer has large, itchy bumps on his back. What's wrong with him?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an allergic reaction. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian. If this is confirmed, they would likely start him on anti-histamine medications and steroids which can help with an allergic reaction. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my 6-month-old puppy have a hard, fast-growing shoulder lump?

If your dog has recently been vaccinated, this lump could be a vaccine granuloma and will go away on its own. However since the lump has grown quickly, you may want to have it healed out by your veterinarian. The vet can do a fine needle aspirate of the lump and look at the cells under a microscope and then may be able to determine what is causing the lump. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My puppy has a soft lump near her nipple. Is it an insect bite?

Based on these photos, it does appear there is a little dot at the center of the lump, and you could be correct that this is some sort of insect bite. I would watch this lump over the next week or two. As long as it is slowly getting smaller, then I would not be concerned, however, if there is no change over the next couple of weeks, or it is getting bigger, firm, red, or painful, then seek veterinary attention. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My Boxer has a red bump on her inner front leg. What could it be?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A lot if skin bumps can look the same. But for a young dog and the location of it being on a leg it is likely a benign growth called a histiocytoma. They usually spontaneously regress in a few months. The other possibility is a Mast cell tumor, which can be common in Boxers. If the bump grows larger or doesn't go away in 2-3 months I would have your Vet examine it and consider aspirating it to see what it could be. It is never wrong to get it looked at sooner either! I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my dog have sensitive lumps under her skin on her back?

This is probably an allergic reaction due to an insect bite or a plant outside. those reactions tend to resolve within 48 hours without treatment. if the swelling becomes too large or if Georgia is lethargic, take her to the vet in order to get an antihistamine injection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My puppy has a hard, bleeding belly bump after his shots. What is it?

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This red bump is not related to the vaccination. It looks like some type of insect bite or wound. It is also possible that it could be a hernia or cyst. I think you should have this lump examined by your veterinarian.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share