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My dog has a growing, hard, hairless lump. What could it be?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dogue de Bordeaux | Male | unneutered | 8 months and 15 days old

My dog de bordaeux has a hairlezs hard lump growing for a week gettin bigger what could thia be, it does not hurt or irritate him

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 14th, 2017

Without further testing, there is no way to tell if this growth is a malignant (cancerous) type that can spread elsewhere and/ or invade the healthy tissue around them, or a more benign (noncancerous) type that is unlikely to spread. In some cases abscesses can form due to infection, or bumps can form due to trauma/pressure on the area or due to allergies, but in this case the picture appears to be a raised mass of some sort. I recommend making an appointment to see your vet to have the growth tested. In many cases this can be done using a fine needle aspirate, where cells are removed from the growth using a needle and examined under a microscope to determine what it is and to guide treatment. In some cases further testing may be needed to determine the necessary course of treatment, but it is important to get new growths tested in a timely manner, as some can be cancerous and quite aggressive in their growth, and growths due to infection, allergy or trauma can lead to complications or be indicators of underlying health problems. In the meantime, if Rudy begins licking the area, make sure he wears a “cone” (also known as an e-collar or Elizabethan collar) at all times when he is not being directly supervised by you, including while sleeping to help prevent infection.

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 26th, 2019

    Without examining Misty it is difficult to say for sure what this could be. I would suspect an abscess or reaction to something. I would recommend taking her in to be examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 21st, 2017

    Given that the lump has grown over night, I would be inclined to think that your dog may have an abscess. I would call an emergency vet to see him today. That's because if he does have an abscess, it will grow bigger until it bursts, and it needs to be treated before it does that. It would also be painful to him. The vet can diagnose if he does have an abscess, and can treat him for it. The abscess will need to be opened and drained sterilely, and he will need antibiotics to treat the infection. I would have him seen by a vet now.

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