Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog has a lump on his ear flap. What could it be and is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Basset Hound | Male | neutered | 3 years and 10 months old | 55 lbs

I just found a lump on the ear on the pinnacle flap of my Basset Hound called Bertie. He is 3yrs 10 months old. He's in good health otherwise. Has been a bit off form this week.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By David Darvishian

Veterinarian

Published on September 19th, 2017

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bertie. Lumps generally fall into a few broad categories including growths/tumors which can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer), granulomas which are a collection of inflammatory cells, abscess/infection, among others. In young dogs, a common benign tumor called a histiocytoma can develop. These are raised growths, often pink and somewhat flat like a button. These growths oftentimes resolve on their own without treatment. I would advise that your veterinarian take a look at Bertie. They can get a detailed history and do a complete physical exam focusing on the area of the growth, They may advise diagnostics such as a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy of the growth to determine what it is. If they suspect a histiocytoma they may just advise monitoring the area but to also be on the lookout for any scratching of the ear/growth. Once a diagnosis is obtained or suspected, a sound treatment plan can be discussed. The ear is a tricky area for growths and their removal because of the lack of skin to close over the incision if they are removed. Thus, a growth in this area warrants a quick analysis by your vet. Good luck with Bertie.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 30th, 2017

    Hi, I would be concerned about a small tumor developing that could spread. I do not know your dog's age, but older dogs are more prone to this. There are many lumps that dogs can get that are not dangerous at all. Only a visit to the vet can tell you this. Watch it to see if it turns red, grows, or gets infected. If it does, take him to the vet sooner. Good luck, i hope this helps!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on December 6th, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Clark evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’ve suddenly noticed a lump on my dogs ear. There isn’t any anywhere else and I have no idea what it is. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This may even be an abscess. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
a little bump under the skin of dogs ear flap behind the ear.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Bear. This bump could be a benign or malignant growth. 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 its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My Beagle is 8 years old . 2 weeks ago she had a tiny lump but has grown rapidly . It is on her inner ear
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. The fact that it has been growing rapidly, raises concern that this is malignant. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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 recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a bump on his ear and I need help determining if it’s something that will go away or needs an attention of our vet.
That does look to be a mass. A mass is a collection of cells and can be benign (inflammation, cyst, some tumors) or a malignant tumor. Given the age of your dog this may be a histiocytoma, but as many skin tumors can look alike the best plan to confirm this is for your vet to perform a needle aspirate for cytology. That way you will know for sure if this can be monitored or if it needs any therapy. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a growth on the flap of his ear and it looks like an ingrown hair I am concern and would like to know if I should take him to the vet. I know that you are at Petco today
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Reggie evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 year old dog has a tiny lump inside her ear flap. You can't see anything on either side of the flap but when you gently squeeze, you can feel it internally. What could this be?
Hello! 'Lumps' like this are typically either made of tissue or cystic and filled with debris/fluid- like a cyst. Sometimes appearance of the way they feel can help determine between the two, but other times the only way to know is to have it sampled and examined under the microscope. This would also allow you to know if it was a lump to be concerned about (ie will it spread or cause other problems) or a benign growth. If it is small and has not changed over the past few months to years then it increases the chance that it is a cyst or benign growth although, again, the only way to know for sure would be to have it sampled! I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My puppy has a little bump on his ear. I notice it doesn't hurt him. He has had it for a couple of weeks now and it got a little bigger. Its has a very dry/hard skin on top.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection though it is hard to know without an exam. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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 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!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 7 month old black lab has a growth by his ear that seems to be getting considerably larger everyday. He has this growth for about a week.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Clark evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is developing a bump on his ear flap since 45 days. It is soft on palpation,fast growing and painless as well. What will be the treatment.?
This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Raised bump with scab on ear. She is eating and acting normal.
This looks like a mass, which is a collection of cells. A mass can be benign (inflammation, cyst, etc) or malignant (skin tumor). The only way to know what this mass is would be by having your vet sample it. Typically we start with a needle aspiration for cytology. If concerning cells are noted removal with biopsy may be recommended. I hope this helps and thank you for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored