My senior dog has a growing lump on his leg. What could it be?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | English Setter | Male | 50 lbs
My English Setter (10yrs) has what seems to be either a growth, or a swollen leg that has started about 4 months ago and very slowly progressed, he has a few small fatty tumors on his body as well, in case this could be relevant. The texture can vary, sometimes it is about the texture of the fatty tumors, maybe more dense, and sometimes it can be a little more tighter and denser different times of the day. The growth is on both sides of the leg. He does not baby this leg. What could it be?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 15th, 2018
Looking at the photo and considering your description of the progression of this, I would suspect that it is a growing mass. It could simply be a fatty lump such as a lipoma. Other possibilities would be a soft tissue swelling due to trauma, but this seems less likely considering the progression. I would head to the vet and get them to test the lump to see exactly what it is. If it is just a lipoma and not causing bother it should not need to be removed.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 8th, 2018
Without an aspirate or biopsy we cannot say exactly what the growth is. I do recommend if it is large and not a lipoma consistency to have it removed by your veterinarian. They then at that point can send it out to a pathologist to review and see what it is exactly. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 18th, 2019
Yes, this mass needs to be checked by your vet. There is no way for me to tell you what it is just by looking at a photo but it looks pretty serious. It is definitely a tumor but what kind it is, I don't know. I also don't know if it is malignant or benign. The best option is to have it surgically removed and then sent off for a histopathology.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on June 30th, 2019
As long as she isn't lame or sensitive, you can continue to walk her. Without a physical exam or diagnostics, it is difficult to determine if the lump is a benign or malignant mass, infection or injury. Your veterinarian can perform a fine needle aspirate in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. X-rays may also be indicated to rule out bony involvement.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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