Hedgehog has a lump. Is it cancer, an abscess, or something else?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection or nothing serious. This cannot be completely assessed just by looking at pictures and usually requires sampling such as fine needle aspiration to determine its origin. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Its possible that it may be an abscess in the skin (localized skin infection), however cancer is a possibility. Ideally, take her in to the vet; they will be able to do a fine needle aspirate, this is where they will poke the bump with a needle, squirt the cells out onto a slide and look at it under a microscope. This can be done quickly and is not painful to your pet. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for reaching out about Hubert and including photos. The lump on the skin could be a cyst, abscess or tumor. Not sure if this is part of the anorexia problems or a second problem, but a veterinary visit is recommended. Try wetting the food and offer through a syringe. Try and maintain hydration also, until a veterinary visit is scheduled. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Prickles. A raised blister could be an abscess (inner ear), neoplasm or cyst. A veterinary visit is needed to determine which and to prescribe a treatment plan. Treatment probably has better success if it doesn't continue to progress. Good luck.

Lumps can alwys be a tumor, a cyst, or an Abscess. When it is black and solid, it could be melanoma, when it is black and fluctuating, it could be a hematoma. Unfortunately without a photo and the ability to palpate the lump I cannot say which type it might be. However your vet will be able to tell, and if necessary he can determine the type of mass with a fine needle aspirate where a tissue sample is harvested with a very thin needle. Treatment varies depending on diagnosed condition.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

This is most likely a tumor or an abscess. In either case, it will need to be evaluated and treated by your veterinarian. If it is a mass it may need to be removed. If it is an abscess it will need to be surgically debrided and the turtle will need a course of antibiotics. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.