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My dog has a black, loose, scab-like bump. Should I see a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Male | 60 lbs

I’ve felt this bump on my dog before and I wasn’t sure if it was something I needed to take him to the vet for, or if it was nothing to worry about. It’s a small black bump that feel lose, almost like some kinda of scab.

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1 Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on March 21st, 2021

I see that Tyson is a boxer, and they can be prone to mast cell tumors. Of course this could be a scab, but without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. 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.

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