My senior dog has a growing, scabbing chest lump. What are my options?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Female | unspayed | 12 years and 7 months old | 60 lbs
My dog is 12 and for the past year a lump has grown pretty big,it’s on her chest at her front paws and now it’s scabbing in 2 places, she hasn’t been off her food and doesn’t seem to be in much pain however the past few weeks she has started doing the toilet in the house during the night, I’ve looked up a price for removing lumps and it’s looking very expensive also I’m not sure if she will survive a big operation. Please can you advise me of my options. Thanks debbie
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 15th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 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. The accidents in the house are unlikely to be related to the mass. 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!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on May 2nd, 2019
I see that Akilla is a senior dog, and unfortunately in senior dogs, there is always a chance that a growth is malignant. 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 her vet a call to make her an appointment. Best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
My dog has something in her side chest thing idk what it is but she keeps liking it am really scared and the vet is not open tomorrow play help
I just noticed this “lump” on my dogs chest. It isn’t hard, it seems to have fluid. She is not acting sick and has not been having any symptoms. Should I be concerned?
My dog is 16 yrs old and developing cataracts. He also has lumps on his back that are hard, and a large lump on his chest that is soft.
Brittany 4 years. Can you tell me what this growth is?
Last week I found 2 lumps on my dogs belly. They are approximately the size of a quarter. Feels fluid filled, and on the skin. I just found another lump on his back. No other symptoms at all, no pain, or loss of appetite. He is a toy poodle and is al
I found what looks like a mass on my dogs. Do you think it’s cancer? I’m really worried..
I’m trying to figure out what this mass is under my dogs legpit area. It’s grown over the last week but not sure how long it’s been there. I believe it wasn’t there last month so it’s pretty new.
My 7 yr old mixed poodle, Maltese mix has lost her eyesight and now has a reddish spotted lump on hwr back. Should I be concerned?
my dog has an under the skin lump and it is hard what it is?
Our Jack Russel Patch 15 (identic pic) 2yrs ago got a 2" size hard lump where his buckle was on bodyharness. asked Vet who monitored it. Patch then opened it scratching, went sceptic, anti-biotics helped ,then Vet punctured it to drain, got much wor
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
