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What is this hard ball on my dog's stomach that doesn't bother her?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Female | spayed

My dog is growing a big hard ball on her stomach and I’m wondering what it could be because it doesn’t seem to bother her.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 14th, 2020

I'm concerned this ball could be something serious like a growth. This growth could be malignant or benign. 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 Princess's vet a call to make him an appointment.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 29th, 2017

    The three lesions you have located on Tink may not have anything to do with one another, while of course it is entirely possible they do. As you indicated, a picture is certainly not enough to make a positive diagnosis. However, I can tell you from the location of the one on the stomach combined with the fact we are looking at an elderly, unspayed female, there is a high likelihood you are looking at a mammary tumor. The type of mammary tumor that is present can only be determined positively with a needle biopsy or an excisional biopsy (surgical removal). The other two lumps I really cannot comment on as they are covered with hair and in non-specific locations. Positive diagnosis of these can only be established via the same sort of methods mentioned previously. Older dogs can sometimes get masses known as lipomas, which are fatty deposits and are completely benign. I would certainly recommend you have these all looked at in order to establish if these are masses that should be removed.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 18th, 2019

    Because Piper isn't desexed, my first concern is that this lump could be a mammary tumor. Those are common in unsprayed dogs, and 50% of these tumors are 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. I'd give her vet a call today to make her an appointment. Best of luck.

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 14th, 2017

    Without seeing your dog and feeling this hard area on her stomach, it is impossible to say for certain what is going on. A tumor is definitely possible, but there are many different types of tumors in dogs. Some tumors are benign and don't cause any problems or require treatment. Other tumors are malignant and act aggressively, but even in some of these, surgical removal of the tumors can often extend life. A veterinary exam is needed. The vet may want to do what is called a fine needle aspirate to collect cells from the area to try to determine what type of growth is present and if treatment is needed.

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