Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My dog has a growth on his ear. Is it a wart? How to identify?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | unneutered | 5 years and 1 month old | 80 lbs

My lab/ German Shepherd mix is a little over 5 years old. I have noticed a wart like growth that has been on his ear for a couple of months. Is there any way to tell what it is?

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 19th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the picture! Sadly a lot of skin masses can look the same but the picture resembles a sebaceous adenima which are benign. The only way to know for sure is to either remove it and send it for biopsy or try to do a fine needle aspirate in it. I hope this helps and have a great night!

Vote icon

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Amy S. Eutsey, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 28th, 2017

    This appears from the photo to be a skin growth called a sebaceous adenoma and is likely benign. It is always best to have your vet examine your dog to make sure that this is confirmed. There is no way to make this go away without surgical removal by your veterinarian. These little masses can sometimes be a nuisance as they can bleed and become infected but otherwise are not typically harmful.

    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
I have found this wart or small lump on my dogs head and I am very worried about it. What do you think it is? Or could be?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Based on its appearance, this is most likely a benign sebaceous adenoma. 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 one!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My 10 year old beagle mix has had this sore on his ear for nearly a year. He’s scratched it a lot which caused it to bleed a few times. It’s finally scabbed over and he’s left it alone, however it’s thickened and still present. Is this something susp
This looks like a wart or benign mass from the photo. Usually malignant tumors grow more quickly, and are not as well defined as this. The only way to know for sure though is a biopsy. If he continues to irritate the growth then certainly I would have it removed and biopsied. If you wish to monitor it I recommend taking a photo and measuring it at least monthly so you’ll know it it starts to grow or become more inflamed. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Boone.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Should I worry about the small cauliflower looking lump on dog ear? What is the lump?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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 dog has this bump on his ear that has progressively gotten worse and we're wondering what it could be and how urgent we need to be with it. It started as a small pink bump then turned to an irritated red and now its 'shed' a crusty brown skin and
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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. While this is not an emergency, this should be evaluated sooner rather than later. 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 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 dog has this warty looking thing on the edge of her ear. Is there anything I can do to treat this at home?
This appears from the photo to be a skin growth called a sebaceous adenoma and is likely benign. It is always best to have your vet examine your dog to make sure that this is confirmed. There is no way to make this go away without surgical removal by your veterinarian. These little masses can sometimes be a nuisance as they can bleed and become infected but otherwise are not typically harmful.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Wart looking bump inside my one year old lab/pitt ear. Do I need to be concerned? What should I do?
In the picture, it looks like a mass to me, so I would recommend going to Rey's vet to have it sampled (quick, easy, no sedation required) and the cells looked at under a microscope to see if it's something concerning. Young dogs can get a benign mass called a histiocytoma that goes away on it's own eventually, which would be my first guess. Your vet might say it's a wart when they see it in person, in which case no sampling is needed, but keeping Rey away from other dogs until it's been gone for 2 weeks is a good idea because the virus that causing warts is very contagious. So, you don't need to be highly concerned, but should have it looked at.
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
There’s a white spot looks like pus on my dogs skin right below his ear. I don’t know what it is but it kind of looks like a pimple. Do you have a idea?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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 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 night!
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