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I found a lump on my dog's skin. What could it be and is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 3 years and 3 months old | 80 lbs

Wanted to know what this is just found this on my dog

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 3rd, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. What you are seeing is likely a benign cyst or skin mass. If you would like to know for sure what this is, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Orcan and perform some additional testing on the area. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on November 28th, 2020

    There are a lot of different causes of this type of issue, ranging from a benign skin mass, a cancerous skin mass, or an abscess, among others. The only surefire way to determine the cause of this type of lesion is with a biopsy sample. While it isn't an emergency, you should take Zuko to his vet for an exam relatively soon. Your vet may want to draw a few cells out from this lesion and look at them under a microscope before discussing a full biopsy. I hope that everything goes well!

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 17th, 2020

    Any lumps/bumps that you notice on your dog should be checked out by your vet. Lumps are usually one of three things: * abscess * cyst * cancer (either benign or malignant) * wart There is no way I can tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but I have a suspicion it is a histiocytoma (benign tumor). ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 )

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 31st, 2020

    Hello. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell what this is from just looking at pictures. It could be an infective reaction from a bite, it could be inflammatory from a sting, it could be a cyst, seroma, malignant or benign tumor. This needs to be examined by a veterinarian, & if an obvious cause is not seen, then a small sample of cells will be withdrawn from the lump & examined under the microscope for identifying cells. Once the origin/cause of the lump is known, appropriate therapy & medications will be recommended. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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