My senior dog's ear wart is growing. Does it need surgery if it looks like it's dying?

It is very common for older, small breed dogs to get these benign warts. I usually only recommend removal if they are causing issues (like this one). If you can't get it to heal you may have to have it surgically removed. I suggest you order this wound spray to put on it. Use as directed. If no improvement, have your vet check it out. ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vetericyn-Wound-Skincare-Hydrogel-Spray/dp/B071DQZCXD/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=vetericyn&qid=1563539479&s=gateway&sr=8-3 )

This growth needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take Bruce 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.

This looks like a wart or benign mass from the photo. Usually malignant tumors grow more quickly, and are not as well defined as this. The only way to know for sure though is a biopsy. If he continues to irritate the growth then certainly I would have it removed and biopsied. If you wish to monitor it I recommend taking a photo and measuring it at least monthly so you’ll know it it starts to grow or become more inflamed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Boone.

In the picture, it looks like a mass to me, so I would recommend going to Rey's vet to have it sampled (quick, easy, no sedation required) and the cells looked at under a microscope to see if it's something concerning. Young dogs can get a benign mass called a histiocytoma that goes away on it's own eventually, which would be my first guess. Your vet might say it's a wart when they see it in person, in which case no sampling is needed, but keeping Rey away from other dogs until it's been gone for 2 weeks is a good idea because the virus that causing warts is very contagious. So, you don't need to be highly concerned, but should have it looked at.

It looks a bit like a cutaneous horn. The only way to know for certain is to have it examined by a vet. A cutaneous horn is rarely cancerous, but it can be irritating and it will continue to grow. Removal is commonly recommended for these.

Poor guy. This lump appears to be a huge mass and possible polyp. You will need to get this tested by your vet and seriously consider surgical removal of the mass. If left there this mass has a good chance of causing chronic ear infection, pain, and also can continue to grow. It is best to get this removed, so please consult with your veterinarian to devise a good plan for Little Bit in the near future. I hope that LIttle bit's ear mass gets resolved soon. Best of luck and take care.

This mass is probably benign (not cancerous). However it seems to be causing some problems because it keeps opening up and bleeding. This could lead to infection and potentially a more serious problem. Since it is problematic I would recommend speaking to your vet about having it removed. It may be able to be done with only local anesthesia or light sedation.