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My senior dog has a new lump under his eye. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 35 lbs

There is a rounded lump under my dog's right eye, a little less than the size of his cheek. It seems to have appeared overnight and is stiff but soft on top. He doesnt seem to have been bitten or stung. He becomes upset when i try to take a look at it, won't let me lift his fur up to see the skin underneath. He is 14 years old and a medium-sized Shepherd/Terrier mix, not experiencing any fatigue or noticeable health concerns other than the lump. Apologies for the terrible pictures!

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1 Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 19th, 2018

Poor Skipper! This lump could be a cyst, it could be due to a dental problem such as a tooth root abscess, or it could be a tumor such as a benign or malignant one. Given that it seems to have appeared overnight, a dental problem may be more likely but I can't say without seeing him in person. I would take him into a vet today or tomorrow to have this lump examined. Once a diagnosis is made, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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