Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog has a hard lump. Is it an emergency or can I wait for vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Female | unspayed | 0 lbs

Hi , my dog has a medium sized lump on the left side of her stomach which is hard to touch. Our vet only comes on tuesdays and as it’s now Thursday I won’t be able to see them for nearly a week. Is this an emergency, should bring her to an emergency vet straight away ? Thanks, Sinead

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

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

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 22nd, 2018

Hi Sinead! The answer to your question depends on a few things. If the lump has come up suddenly, it has been getting bigger by the day, it bothers her, and/or she has had changes in behavior such as eating less, vomiting, and lethargy, then yes I would take her into an ER vet. If this lump on Roxt isn't bothering her, it doesn't get any bigger, and she's acting normally, then it's fine to wait until next week. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, We noticed a soft lump on my dog's rib cage yesterday and it was definitely was not there before as I am very close to her. it is about tennis ball size. she is about 1 1/2 year old cockapoo. Shall I take her to an emergency vet. she doesn't see
As long as Berry seems to be eating, drinking and acting normally without any signs of discomfort, you should not need to take her to an emergency vet today and can wait to go to your local vet tomorrow. However, if Berry is bothered by the mass, licking at it, or otherwise feeling unwell, she should be evaluated today. The mass could be due to an abscess, benign or malignant mass, cyst, etc. The vet will be able to draw out a sample of cells for microscopic examination so that the best course of treatment can be determined. I hope that all goes well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My jack Russell terrier has a black lump on her stomach. Should I get it checked right away or wait a few days?
Hello. It is always best to have any lumps, bumps or new lesions checked out as soon as possible, but if it does not seem to be bothering Lola & it is not bleeding or oozing, then you can probably wail a day or so to have it looked at. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My rat terrier has had a mass behind her front leg for years without any problems all of a sudden a few days ago it changed grew, darker & drained. I've included pictures of before, the day it changed and now. I'm trying to find out if I need to make
This lump/bump/growth should be ideally examined by your local vet to have a diagnosis established. Your vet may want to perform an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy to sample the bump and determine its underlying nature. Differentials would include skin cysts, infections, benign or more malignant type of tumors. I think it can wait for a week to be seen, provided the mass is not constantly growing. 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. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
6 year old male shih tzu. I know every spot on my dog and haven’t noticed this one. Reached down to pet him and felt large lump. Looked down and was bleeding a lot. I moved hair & found a pea sized grayish thing in the hair around the area. It was so
You can take him to your vet tomorrow, it's not an emergency. this lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take him to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog developed a golf ball sized lump suddenly on her jaw line under her eye. She is still eating and drinking like normal. I am debating if I need to take her to an emergency vet or wait and take her in the morning with her normal vet. She is d
Given the location, it could be a tooth root abscess. It isn't an emergency, but is likely uncomfortable. If Dolly is behaving normally, she can probably see her veterinarian in the morning. An oral exam can be done to determine if there is periodontal disease and if so, if it is severe enough to cause an abscess. A complete dental cleaning and possibly extractions may be necessary. If an abscess is ruled out, your veterinarian can perform a fine needle aspirate of the lump to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. Treatment options can be discussed once results are returned.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has had a small veiny type lump on her head for a week or so and today I noticed it was huge and looks very scary. Banfield is closed today and I can’t really afford emergency care outside of our plan however I am very worried and want to ask
It does not appear to be actively bleeding or infected so as long as it is not causing her pain or discomfort (reduced appetite, crying if handled, avoiding being petted) then I would happy it would be stable to wait overnight
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello I was just wondering if my dog was okay or if this should be treated right away. I also would like to know if this is normal and what exactly it is. She is scheduled for an appointment tomorrow but please let me know if immediate action is need
I think this is not an emergency and can wait to be seen tomorrow. The only thing that may happen is that this abscess bursts until then. If that happens, gently wipe off the pus, do not flush or put ointment on the wound, leave it as it is. It is likely painful at the moment, but once the abscess bursts the pain will be over. Your vet will lance and flush the abscess and prescribe an antibiotic if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dog is a 9yr old mixed breed (vizula & pit maybe). He has a lump on his chest, it was somewhat flat & abt the diameter of a tennis ball. He has several fatty lumps on his body. He itched it at least once & it developed a dark red rash on & nea
It could be that Carlito had a cyst, and it burst from this inside causing it to become smaller. If he is eating and drinking normally, behaving normally, and using the toilet normally, then this can wait until Monday. If any of those things change, then I would have him seen by a vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. I have a pit bull dog that was rescued from pretty rotten circumstances. She loves people but has major dog and cat aggression. She developed a large growth on her side. In two weeks it went from a small lump to the large ball there now. She sho
Lipomas can be attached and firm but they are not expected to grow rapidly. Rapid growth can be a bad sign. I recommend to get her into the veterinarian in the next few days. They will need to sample the mass and look at the cells under the microscope. Most of these masses will be some type of tumor but sometimes it’s more infection or inflammatory based. That’s the only way to know exactly what it is and if you need to take further action. Since it’s growing so quickly, I don’t recommend to wait. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Is the swelling on my dog's lower stomach an emergency? It's medium soft and does not cause her any pain when it's touched. She has not been spayed and is near her time to come into heat.
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Giselle. If she is eating, drinking and acting normal, then it is likely not an emergency. However, she should have it evaluated by her veterinarian. She may have developed a mammary mass. This is more common in dogs that have not been spayed. Her veterinarian will perform an examination and then possibly collect a sample from the swelling to analyze. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food Dog Toys Dog Health & Wellness Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Blood Pressure Medication Dog First Aid & Recovery Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Lactated Ringers Electrolytes for Dogs DOG by Dr Lisa Glandex Dog First Aid & Recovery Lactulose Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Lactated Ringers Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Pumpkin Patch Up! Sensitive Stomach Dog Food DOG by Dr Lisa Dog First Aid & Recovery Deramaxx Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Dogs Rock Lactulose Dog Medicine and Prescriptions
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored