Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My 9-year-old dog has a 1-inch lump on her belly. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Blue Heeler | Female | spayed | 8 years and 6 months old | 59.966 lbs

The attached image appears to be a growth on the belly of our 9 yr old stumpy-tailed Blue Heeled desexed cattle dog. Could you please help us identify this growth which is about 1 inch long? Our dog is healthy and active. Thank you for your kind assistance.

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

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

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 23rd, 2018

There are a couple of things this lump on Heidi could be such as a benign tumor, a cyst, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain what it is, so I recommend a vet visit. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would take her into the vet in the next couple of days to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as need. Best of luck!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 16th, 2017

    I certainly would have this examined by a vet, as this lump could be caused by a cyst, benign tumor, or malignant tumor. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have your girl seen by a vet today or tomorrow to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 27th, 2017

    This lump needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take Hannie 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.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a growth on her belly. It's been there for years. Recently it has started growing really fast. She is almost 12 years old. What could it be?
This growth on your dog could be a benign tumor or a malignant tumor. Any suspicious growth should be examined by a vet. The vet can do a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the growth to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's typically painless to the dog and relatively quick and easy to perform. I would have your dog seen by a vet on Monday to have the growth examined and diagnoses so it can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a Chihuahua/Dashund spayed female, 7 yrsold. She has a red lump on her belly. No drainage, just red/purple in color. She acts normal and happy. Concerned. Any advice? Thank you.
I certainly would have this examined by a vet, as this lump could be caused by a cyst, benign tumor, or malignant tumor. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have your girl seen by a vet today or tomorrow to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
So for the last month or so.... my dog has had this lump on her stomach. Now, it’s grown a bit bigger over time. I’m not sure if it’s a lump that could be harmful to her or not. But it doesn’t seem to hurt her if we touch it. So, could it just be a n
It's concerning this lump has gotten bigger, and it could be a cyst, a benign growth, or a malignant growth. 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 S's vet a call to make her an appointment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I've just notes a lump on the right side of my dogs abdomen about the size of my palm. It's just below his rib cage and is soft but doesn't feel like fluid. It doesn't appear to hurt and he isn't acting any differently, but the suddenness and size an
It could be a cyst or a benign growth. 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 Kilroy's vet a call in the morning to make him an appointment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Maggie developed this round soft knot on her belly. Size is the size of a peach. It is kind of reddish in color? Her appetite is normal. It doesn't seem to be painful when I rub it. Any thoughts?
This lump on Maggie could be a cyst, an abscess, a lipoma, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately in a senior lab, a malignant tumor is always a possibility. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Maggie seen by a vet on Monday to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My golden Labrador has a lump under her belly she is 13
I seee that Sam is not spayed. A lump on her abdomen could be a hernia , inflamed mammary gland, cyst, abscess or, more likely, a mammary tumor or a fatty tumor. A mammary tumor can be benign or malignant or mixed. It is usually best to have it removed, i.e. have all the glands removed on the side where the tumor is. However at 13 years of age, and depending on the size of the mass, your veterinarian may decide just to do a lumpectomy. Fatty tumors are usually benign and ,, unless they cause a problem, we usually leave them alone. I suggest you have Sam examined by your veterinarian. He may want to do a biopsy of the mass, or a fine needle aspirate ( where an injection needle is inserted into the mass and cell material is aspirated and examined under the microscope). In case of a mammary tumor he will also want to do chest x-rays to make sure there are no metastases in the lungs. Abscesses and cysts can be evacuated or lanced if necessary and a hernia can be fixed surgically .
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a lump on her stomach.
This lump/growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, infections or benign or malignant type of tumors. 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
My dog has a lump on her leg roughly the size of a marble. She is a 9 year old cocker spaniel and is very healthy otherwise.
Thank you for providing a picture of Mia's lump! It could be a benign tumor, a cyst, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately in a senior dog, there is always a chance it could be 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would take her into the vet in the next couple of days to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I noticed this lump on my dogs belly this morning and I would like to know if it is anything serious. I haven’t noticed any change in her behaviour though she is still playing and jumping around as normal. Thanks.
It could be a lipoma (benign fatty tumor), but it is difficult to determine by just looking at an image. Ideally, Molly should be seen by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done to collect samples for pathology. Treatment options can be discussed once results are returned. The other option would be to simply monitor it at home. Watch for rapid change or growth, pain associated with the mass or restriction of movement. Use an e-collar (cone) if she is licking at it. Whether it turns out to be benign or not, removal while still relatively small is recommended.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
my min pin has a small mass or lump under the skin of her belly on the right side
This lump on Mouse could be a cyst, an abscess, a lipoma, a benign tumor, or even a malignant tumor. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Mouse seen by a vet tomorrow to have the lump examined and diagnosed. The vet can discuss treatment with you when it's diagnosed.
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