Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My dog has a new lump. Is it serious? When should I take him to the vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 1 year and 6 months old | 65 lbs

We noticed this growth on our 2 year old mixed breed dog Fred.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 26th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Fred and for providing a picture, it's very helpful. This looks like a benign growth. 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 in the morning to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 7th, 2017

    It looks like a growth of some sorts, it could be benign or malignant. Taking Enzo to the vet is a very good idea, as that is the only way to diagnose if the growth is benign or not. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the growth 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 growth is diagnosed, the vet can let you know what treatment options are needed, if any.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 3rd, 2017

    Thank you for providing a picture of Yoda's lump! In a senior dog, there is alway a chance any lump is malignant, so while I wouldn't be worried yet, I would have him seen by a vet. There is a chance the lump could also be benign. 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 have Yoda seen by a vet tomorrow to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 27th, 2019

    This could just be a benign growth, but in a dog Nala's age, there is always a chance any lump could be malignant. Without seeing her in person, I can't say what it is. 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 her vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!

    Vote icon

    5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I found what looks like a mass on my dogs. Do you think it’s cancer? I’m really worried..
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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is 5 years old and about 3 days ago these lumps appeared on his testicles. I’m really worried and I was wondering if I should bring him in? The first photo was from Saturday and the 3rd one was taken Monday.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This may be due to an infection. 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 night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I recently found a lump on one of my dogs breasts. I don’t know if I should take her to the vet or not, I researched online and I think it might be a memmary tumor .
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address our concern. Judging from the photos, it appears that the mass is associated with the mammary gland. Some dogs can have a larger amount of fat and glandular tissue that is normal and nothing to be concerned about. However, this could be a primary mammary mass that needs further testing. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m trying to figure out what this mass is under my dogs legpit area. It’s grown over the last week but not sure how long it’s been there. I believe it wasn’t there last month so it’s pretty new.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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
my dog has an under the skin lump and it is hard what it is?
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. 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 night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Brittany 4 years. Can you tell me what this growth is?
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. 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 day!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a red lump on his leg, near his foot.
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Buddy. This lump could be a growth, either benign or malignant. 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. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my 10 year old dog has a lump growing rapidly on her face, just below the corner of her eye, towards her muzzle. It's doubled in size in a matter of days. Last week, my vet told me.it was a skin lesion, but too small to aspirate so to wait. It
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! If you tried to attach a picture, it unfortunately did not. This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a lump on her side grey round the edge pink in the middle one is now appearing on her back leg
The picture you posted was a little blurry, so it was difficult to evaluate, but in general we usually can't tell anything about a mass by just looking at it. Your vet can perform a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they use a small needle to collect some cells from the mass, then look at them under the microscope. They may even need to send the cells to the lab for a pathologist to examine them, so we know what the mass is. If it is benign, you might not need to do anything about the mass at all, but if they see cells that worry them, they might recommend removing the mass. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
We are trying to find out what this bump is. He has seen a vet and he said it would go away. It has not done that. It looks bigger
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! If you tried to attach a picture, it unfortunately did not. However, based on your description 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. 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 night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dog Health & Wellness Pet Pharmacy Dog Thyroid Medication & Hormone Care Dog Blood Pressure Medication At-Home Dog Vaccines Antifungal Medication for Dogs Prescription Flea & Tick Medicine for Dogs DOG by Dr Lisa Lantus Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Lactulose Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Embark Vet Dog Health & Wellness Amlodipine Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Lactated Ringers Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Dermalone Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Lantus Solostar Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Amlodipine Besylate Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Lactulose Prescription Dog Digestive Medications
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored