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My old dog's non-cancerous lump is bleeding and red. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 90 lbs

Hello, I have a female mixed breed dog and she is about 13. She has had a hard lump on her side for a couple years and we were told it was non cancerous and nothing to worry about, that it was just a lump dogs get when old. Today I noticed it started bleeding and now is all red and still bleeding. It is also black and hard looking

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Piper! The only way we can 100% know for sure a mass isn't cancerous is by either aspirating the mass with a needle or biopsying it. When a mass changes I always recommend that the animal be seen by their Vet to have it checked. The fact the mass opened up dictates the need to have it looked at and a minimum of antibiotics started. Hopefully it is just a ruptured follicular cyst that is infected. But I think you should have the mass removed and biopsied. I am afraid it will not heal well and continually leak bloody fluid. I hope this helps and I wish Piper the best!

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