Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog has a persistent, firm, non-painful lump. What is it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 2 months old | 4 lbs

On 6/23/2017 I took her to the vet for a bump. The vet said it was most likely due to a bug bite or something because it was red & looked like she had been bothering it. It’s still on her. However, it doesn’t hurt, she doesn’t bother it & she acts like it’s not there. If you lift up her skin it feels round & it’s not soft. There is no discharge. I will end up taking her back. But until then what could this be?

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 April 6th, 2018

Poor Precious! If it was a bug bite, I would have expected it would have resolved a long time ago. It could be a benign tumor and there is a possibility it could be a malignant tumor. Unfortunately, that is always a potential in a senior dog. I do think taking her back to the vet is the best idea. 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. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options with you. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was attacked and bit by a dog 2 years go we immediately brought him to the vet and all healed well. Now I notice a slight bump under the are where my dog was bit ....he doesn’t seem to be I. Pain when I touch the area. Please advise
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is hard to know what this is without an examination. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an abscess. 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. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Not sure if this is a bug bite or something else that I should be worried about its been there for about a week
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! While this may be a bug bite, the texture appears slightly rough in the photo, so this may be a growth or mass. It is concerning that is has been present for a week, as a bug bite would have likely resolved by now. I recommend having Layla seen by a vet as soon as possible, especially because the area is red and near the mammary chain. Your vet can either remove the lump or take a small sample to determine exactly what it is. I hope this helps and that all is well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found a lump, it doesn't hurt him to have it touched. It's not really soft nor does it move. He is walking, eat, drinking, and behaving normally. He got bit by a dog on the inside of the same leg a year ago but the lump is on the outside. Should I
This can be a benign lump, or it could be a lipoma or cyst. 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. I'd give his vet a call tomorrow to make him an appointment. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found a small lump under Drake’s front left leg. It’s about the size of a pea and feels rather firm. We’ve had a lot of wasps in the yard so I’m suspicious it is a bug bite but haven’t been able to find a puncture point. Could it be the start of
Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Drake! This lump could be from a bug bite, but it could also be a benign tumor of some sorts like a wart, or it could be a cyst. I would keep an eye on this lump for now. As long as it doesn't get bigger over the days leading up to his appointment on the 28th, it doesn't appear to bother him, there are no behavioral or appetite changes during this time, and/or you don't see any redness, warmth to the touch, or pus from the lump, it's fine to wait until he has his vaccine appointment. Should you observe any of the signs that I mentioned above, then I would take him into the vet sooner. Don't let him scratch at it, as that could make it worse. If he does start scratching at it, making it bleed, then it's bothering him and have him seen by a vet sooner. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has this weird bump on his that i saw him biting at. I’ve never noticed it but it looks bad. It could be a tick or something but i just wanted to see if u knew what it was
This looks like it could be a growth and it's clearly bothering him if he's biting at it. 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 his vet a call to make him an appointment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 year old labrador retriever developed a large knot/growth on top of her head last Sep (abt 6 months ago). She has shown no symptoms, no change in appetite, exercise, energy, etc. It is not centered but more on the top left side. It is hard and
Hello. This is definitely a tumor, but it is impossible to say if it is a relatively harmless benign one, or a dangerous potentially aggressive malignant tumor. My guess is that this is very benign & will cause no great harm to Poochi. It can continue to grow, but may not ever affect her overall life. The best thing to do is to have your veterinarian perform a fine needle aspirate where a few cells are removed from the lump & examined under the microscope. Hopefully, all that will be seen are benign fat cells ( lipoma ), but if highly differentiated cells are seen, this would indicate that removal is advised. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My bloodhound is nine years of age. This ball doesn’t seem to bother him at all. It’s soft, squishy like. But it is growing as the weeks go by. Im concerned for my baby. When I moved it there seemed to be a tiny bit of blood but even himself leaves
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my pugs name is Coco (female). Three days ago, i noticed a lump(?) like thing on her vagina. Thought it was a mosquito bite or something normal like that. But even after three days, the size of that thing remains same. She is behaving normally an
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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. It is not possible to know what it is without diagnostics. 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 one!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Large hard lump all red no pus or bleeding..about 2 inch lump
Unfortunately in a senior dog like Libby, there is always a chance this lump could be a malignant tumor. It could also be a benign tumor, but the only way to know for sure is to have her seen by a vet. 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 Libby into the vet tomorrow to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! I came home to my parents' today to see my old dog with a blackish bump on his face. My mom said the vet said it was probably from a bug bite, but I'm not too sure. Please let me know what you think!!
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! As dogs age, they can develop a variety of skin tumors, some benign (non-cancerous) and others cancerous. I do recommend all abnormal growths be evaluated by a veterinarian to determine if they are an issue or not. Many of these can be diagnosed with an analysis of a needle sample. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Health & Wellness Dog Treats & Chews Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Blood Pressure Medication Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for Dogs Flea & Tick Solutions for Dogs Antifungal Medication for Dogs Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Vet's Best Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs Amlodipine Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds DOG by Dr Lisa Dermalone Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Prednisone Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Temaril-P Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief Temaril-P Dog Health & Wellness VetIQ Dog Flea & Tick Pills & Chews Previcox Dog Pain Relief & Arthritis Meds Vetnique Labs Dog Allergy Medicine & Itch Relief
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored