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My dog has a growing, bloody lump on his nose. What could it be?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 6 months old

My dog has a brownish-red lump on his upper right nostril (where the skin meets the nose). It looks like it has some blood in it. We first noticed it after he got into an ant pile, and we thought it might be an ant bite, but it's grown over the past few weeks. What might it be?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on August 25th, 2017

Hi there! It does look like Fynn does have a small nodule/mass. This could be a benign growth such as a focal infection site or a malignant growth like a mast cell tumor. This is most of the time differentiated with a test called a fine needle aspirate which is easy, cheap and pain-free. Sometimes, a biopsy is required for a diagnosis. Have Fynn evaluated by your veterinarian to have this test performed to try to sort out what the diagnosis is so that the best course of action can be determined. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 14th, 2017

    In a three year old dog, a malignant tumor is unlikely. It could be that Harley has a cyst or a benign tumor causing this lump. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Harley seen by a vet tomorrow to have this lump examined and diagnosed to it can be treated. You may need to put an Ecollar on him in the meantime to keep him from scratching at it. You can get one at a pet store or make one at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

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