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My dog has a lumpy, growing mass on his leg. What could it be?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Hi! This is a growth on my dogs leg; it has grown from about the size of an acorn to the size of a pretty big walnut. The texture is very lumpy, almost looks like grains of rice clumped together or a cluster of oblong shaped bumps in a cluster. It does not seem to hurt him but he also doesn’t like me to mess with it. Vet will remove but no definitive answer as to what it is.

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on February 3rd, 2020

Without a physical exam or diagnostics, it is difficult to determine if this is something to worry over. Ideally, a fine needle aspirate or biopsy should be done to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. X-rays of the limb may be recommended to rule out bony involvement. Since you state it is growing, it should be removed before it becomes too large. As it is, that is a difficult area to close after a mass removal.

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    Answered By Emily, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 9th, 2017

    This could indicate this mass has an infection as well as there recent enlargement could mean it is more serious than a benign growth. If so getting it removed sooner rather than later is a good plan. If possible Tahki should get checked out by her veterinarian and this mass could be examined more intensively to determine what exactly it is and if surgery to remove it is needed. If that is not possible monitoring it for further changes and applying a thin layer of an antibiotic ointment may help.

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    Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 26th, 2017

    Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. Without pictures it is difficult to say but as with any mass, it is best to have it tested to ensure it is not malignant. I would recommend you have your veterinarian take a look at this for further testing to help determine what the masses may be. Most of these are benign skin masses that arise from the glands in the skin. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

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