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What is this black scab-like lump on my dog's back under the fur?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 2 years and 8 months old | 15 lbs

My 2 year old dog has a scab-like thing on her back, under the fur. It's about the size of a jelly bean and it is black.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on November 9th, 2019

Lesions like this can be a few things including a healing wound, a skin tumor, an enlarged pore or a keratin horn. If this is a healing wound, you do not want to disturb it or it will delay healing. I recommend to check the area daily for the next 2 weeks. Skin wounds heal in 7-14 days so if the lesion is still present at that point, I recommend to have Lily Kate examined. Starting Lily Kate on an oral omega 3 fatty acid supplement may help to improve the over all condition of her skin but it may not change anything about the lesion. A skin tumor will need an aspirate to determine if it is cancerous or not, the other conditions require medical management or surgical removal to heal them. Make sure to protect the area from any licking or scratching. She may need to wear a shirt or an elizabethan collar (if she can reach the area to lick). I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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    Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    This looks like it could simply be a scab over a small wound, or a scab that has formed over a skin growth. It doesn't really look like a tick in your picture but I suppose that would be another possibility. If it seems to be bothering Lilly, if there is discharge or if there are other skin lesions I'd recommend seeing a veterinarian soon, otherwise I think you could monitor the area for up to a week and if it does not seem to be going away like a scab would have your vet take a look.

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