our dog has always had a small red bump ( with no hair on it ) on his side but recently it has grown rapidly and yesterday it seemed to be starting to discharge. what is it and what can we do ? Pet's info: Dog | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Male | neutered | 80 lbs

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Beckham. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. There is, unfortunately, an aggressive form of skin cancer known as a mast cell tumor. It appears as a red, raised and hairless mass. His veterinarian will collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This will tell you the type of mass and how best to treat it. He will likely require surgery. I hope this information helps!

Way to be so observant with Marley! Catching skin masses early can be crucial! I think you should take him into the vet's office asap to have this mass tested. A red raised hairless mass can be many things (not all of them bad) but unfortunately, mast cell tumor is one of them. There's no way to tell with the naked eye if this mass is benign or malignant. The most common test is called a fine needle aspirate and it can be done quickly. This is likely to determine if this mass is something to be worried about or not. Best of luck with Marley.