Treating The Underlying Cause
A lump in the neck is a symptom of some health concern, usually temporary and ultimately harmless, but in rare cases is a more serious problem. Treating the underlying cause of the neck mass will typically cause the lump to recede. In some cases, though, the lump itself can be removed, as there is no other underlying cause to treat.
Types Of Lumps And Bumps
The more common lumps and bumps in dogs include:
- Fatty tumors happen most often in middle-aged or older dogs, especially around the ribs, although they can show up anywhere. They’re considered a natural part of aging. Any breed can have them, but larger dogs and those who are overweight are more prone to them.
- A sebaceous cyst is a blocked oil gland that looks like a pimple. When it bursts, a white, pasty substance comes out.
- Warts are caused by a virus and can be found around the mouths of young dogs. They’ll go away by themselves. Older dogs might need surgery to remove them.
- An abscess is a buildup of pus under the skin. It can be caused by an infection or a bite from an insect or other creature.
- A mast cell tumor is the most common skin cancer in dogs. Theyâre most often found in boxers, Boston terriers, Labradors, beagles, and schnauzers.
If your dog has a lump, even if you find out it isn’t cancerous, keep a close eye out for others, and have new ones tested.
If your pal has lots of bumps and lumps, your vet might make a chart of their locations and sizes to make it easier to keep track of whatâs new and whatâs changed.
You can do this yourself, too. A convenient time to check your dogâs body is during grooming. The more familiar you are with their body, the quicker youâll know if something isnât quite right. Plus, more petting means more TLC, and whatâs not to love about that?
Show Sources
National Canine Cancer Foundation: âMast Cell Tumors.â
When Do Lumps On Dogs Develop
Lumps may develop on your dog at any age. But an older dog is more likely to develop lumps because of the risk factors they may face for cancer or skin issues. In addition, lipomas and other types of harmless lumps are more often associated with their appearance in aging dogs, although young dogs are liable to develop these growths as well. Other lumps, such as hematomas, warts and cancer cells, are more strongly correlated with other health issues that may develop at any stage in a dog’s life.
Pet owners should also keep in mind that, with certain types of lumps like lipomas, the presence of one or two lumps may increase the likelihood of more lumps developing down the road.
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Breed & Health Resources
Copyright 2005â2022 Pet health insurance is administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency, LLC and underwritten by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA as American Modern Insurance Company , and American Southern Home Insurance Company. Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors, and are subject to change. Wellness Rewards is offered as a supplementary, non-insurance benefit administered by Embrace Pet Insurance Agency in the United States. © 2022 American Modern Insurance Group, Inc.
Cancerous Bumps & Tumors
You might have seen this coming from a long way off, but this is the reason why you have to check those lumps with your veterinarian. Malign tumors can be fatal to your dog if left untreated since they will quickly spread to other parts of your dogs body, which can be very hard to treat down the road.
Cancerous tumors can do big damage to your dogs body by attacking the liver and lungs . Sometimes, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to remove any signs of cancer cells.
- 1st Example of Lumps
- 2nd Example of Possible Tumors
There is a broad range of cancerous tumors, and several specific examples are breast cancer and even bone tumors. Some cancerous cells are caused by direct exposure to sunlight, so make sure to keep your dog inside during the most heated part of the day. Even though the cause might be different, the result is always the same.
If left untreated, the cancerous cells will begin to spread to other parts of the body and begin to launch their attack on your dogs immune system. Due to their rapid growth rate, they will quickly overcome the immune system in place and start to shut the whole system down, which is fatal for your dogs health.
Solutions to Cancerous Tumors
To recap, the best solution to cancerous tumors is with your vets help. Your awareness is also put to the test since earlier, the better! Also, frequently petting your dog and feeling for any hard, movable lumps under your dogs skin can be a great way to start and end your day.
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Common Masses Found On Pets
Benign tumors
- Lipomas are the most common masses found on pets. These fatty tumors are almost always benign growths, and are usually just under the skin. They remain relatively mobile unless they invade local muscle and connective tissue. They are generally soft growths, but may become firm if they grow under a muscle layer. Lipomas are usually left alone, except for monitoring their growth. If they grow quickly, or they are located where they may restrict normal range of motion, such as behind an elbow, surgical removal may be recommended.
- Histiocytomas are an abnormal growth of immune cells in the skin, and are often seen on young dogs. These masses can look angry, because of their bright red color and bubbled surface. They often appear overnight and sometimes will disappear without treatment. Some dogs may chew or bump these masses and make them bleed. If the tumor does not resolve itself or is bothering your pet, surgical removal may be recommended after speaking with your veterinarian.
- Skin tags or cysts are generally benign, unless they grow large. Dangling skin tags can get caught, bleed, and cause pain, while cysts can rupture and ooze. Generally for these types of masses, at-home monitoring is the only treatment necessary, however, if your pet becomes uncomfortable, surgical removal may be recommended by your veterinarian.
Malignant tumors
Can A Skin Lump Or Tumor Be Treated
After the lump is diagnosed, your vet will walk you through your treatment options. Know that even when a mass is diagnosed as cancer, your dog can have a great outcome if the lump is treated early and aggressively. Proper nutrition may help manage mild skin bumps and irritation. The right balance of essential fatty acids in dog food can calm sensitive skin and support healthy skin and a shiny coat.
The key to a positive outcome is early treatment, and early treatment can’t happen without early detection. If you find a bump, take a picture, note when it appeared and take your dog in to see the vet. The power to help your dog live a longer, healthier life is at your fingertips.
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When Should You Visit Your Vet
Typically, hard, immovable lumps that suddenly appear tend to be more worrisome than soft, moveable or slow-growing lumps, but that’s not always the case for every type of cancer or abscess. Because lumps on dogs can be difficult to identify and evaluate at home, owners are encouraged to consult their vet and find out if the lump should be tested and identified.
Lumps are likely to develop at some point in your dog’s life. In cases such as cancer lumps or an abscess, early detection and treatment can improve your dog’s quality of life, and potentially save them from serious and life-threatening consequences.
Fat Lumps In Dogs Are Common And Do Not Present Major Problems
If the ball in your dog’s neck has formed because of a blow or a wound, do not worry. That lump is formed to protect the wound, its defenses are a barrier to prevent greater harm.
In addition to these reasons, another thing that can also cause a lump in the leg or the side of your dog is a buildup of blood near a wound that your dog had. They also do not represent problems. This does not mean that an injury and a lump related to it do not deserve your attention, on the contrary. If it becomes infected or irritated, lumps can also occur, so be careful.
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Histiocytoma Or Button Tumors
These are red, bubble shaped, non-cancerous tumors that appear on young dogs and puppies any time between ages 8-weeks to 3-years old. They are a buildup of excess immune cells that press into the skin. Normally button tumors are able to go away on their own, but if your pup starts to get irritated by it or bite and scratch it, it may be better to discuss a surgical removal with your vet.5,7,8,9
Most Common Bumps And Lumps On Puppies
Thankfully, cancer in puppies is rare. The most common types of lumps or bumps found on puppies are warts, skin tags, button tumors, and abscesses. In these cases, your vet may recommend a wart ointment or other skin treatment. There are also some products that claim to help dissolve normal fatty skin lumps on dogs. Its also not unusual for puppies to develop swelling at their vaccination injection site, caused by a conglomeration of immune cells that gather there.
Typically, this swelling subsides within a week. However, in rare cases, this gathering of cells can turn into a malignant tumor. Contact your vet if a vaccination lump lasts more than a week. They may advise you to keep a watchful eye on it and bring your pup in for a biopsy if the lump continues past three months, is more than an inch in diameter, or continues to grow or change shape.
Although its rare, it is possible for puppies to develop certain types of cancer, so its important to have any lumps, bumps, or other changes in your puppys skin examined by a veterinarian.
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Sebaceous Cysts And Pets
A benign, but often messy, lump on your pet, a sebaceous cyst involves a clogged oil gland in the skin, and is essentially a large pimple on your pets skin that may rupture and emit a white, cottage cheese-like discharge. Sebaceous cysts are often more irritating to the owner than the pet, as the cyst can cycle through the development, rupture, healing, and enlargement stages more than once.
Monitor Changes In Your Dogs Lumps Or Bumps
No matter the lump, itâs always a smart move to contact your vet. Sometimes lumps can appear on dogs overnight â if they donât seem to bother your pet, you can monitor the growth at home until your next vet visit. But, if your dog starts licking or scratching the bump, or it changes in appearance, contact your vet as soon as possible. If the lump has been around for a while and doesnât seem to bother your dog or change, keep an eye on the growth and check in with your vet at the next appointment.
If the growth does start to change, there are some key differences you should watch out for:
- Black or purple coloring
- Pink spots or bruising around the lump
- Hardening texture
No one takes care of your dog better than you do â these tips just provide some direction on how to handle a lump thatâs appeared on your pup.
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What Should You Do If You Find A Hard Lump On Dog
If you find a hard lump on your dog, the best thing to do is to see your veterinarian to help you determine what it is. It may be nothing to worry about or it may be something that you should be concerned about. It is often impossible to positively diagnose the underlying type of tumor without laboratory testing. Your vet can make recommendations to guide you on treatment options.
Here are a couple possibilities of what your veterinarian may do:
- Complete exam. Your vet will likely perform a complete examination looking at your dogâs eyes, ears, look in the mouth, listen to the heart, and feel the abdomen.
- Examine the skin mass. Your veterinarian will evaluate the skin mass noting the characteristics described above including size, shape, depth, consistency, location, color and more. They will also feel your dog all over to see if there are additional bumps.
- Provide recommendations. Based on the characteristics and location of the tumor, your vet will offer recommendations as to the best approach to your dogs hard skin bump. Recommendations may blood work, urinalysis, tissue samples to evaluate the mass, and/or surgical removal of the mass:
- Assess general health with blood work and urine. Laboratory work including a Complete Blood Count , Biochemical Profile , and urinalysis can help evaluate overall health and look for common underlying problems such as infections, anemia, kidney disease, liver problems, diabetes and more.
Skin Lumps: When Parents Should Worry
Noticing a skin lump on a child can be scary. Fortunately, most skin lumps are not a major cause for concern.
Noticing a skin lump on a child can be scary for parents, and its easy to automatically assume the worst. Fortunately, most skin lumps are benign and not a major cause for concern, according to Dr. Saeed Awan, a pediatric general and thoracic surgeon at CHOC.
Some children are born with skin lumps, and some lumps appear later. The majority of patients with skin lumps will not have any other symptoms, but they can include pain, bleeding, redness, loss of appetite and night sweats. Surgery is often recommended in order to remove these skin lumps, to avoid the risk of infection.
VIDEO: Dr. Mutafa Kabeer, pediatric general and thoracic surgeon at CHOC, explains in why skin lumps occur in children and how they are treated.
Lymph nodes are the most common lumps that parent notice and worry about. Most parents find lymph nodes in the neck area but can also notice them around the ears and at the back of the skull.
A pea-sized, rubbery node beneath the skin is nothing to worry about, says Dr. Awan. Healthy lymph nodes fluctuate in size- they grow and they shrink, but bad lymph nodes keep growing and are not subtle.
A lymph node over one centimeter in diameter needs further investigation by a medical professional, especially when associated with loss of weight or appetite, fever or night sweats.
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Types Of Skin Tumors In Dogs
The word tumor is one of the scariest words a pet parent can hear. However, not all tumors are cancerous, and even those that are can still be treated. A tumor, simply, is a mass of tissue that forms as the result of the accumulation of abnormal cells. Read on to learn about some of the different types of tumors and where they might form on your dog’s body:
- Histiocytomas: These small, hard and dome shaped benign growths often appear in younger dogs on their head, ear flaps or legs. They can often disappear, even without treatment.
- Lipomas: These are most commonly found in overweight dogs they are benign tumors consisting of soft and smooth clumps of fat cells that can grow very large, found most often around the chest, abdomen and front legs.
- Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia: This type of tumor forms when the glands that secrete sebum grows rapidly. These are also benign tumors that have a wart-like appearance often found on your dog’s legs, torso or eyelids.
- Malignant Skin Tumors: These types of tumors are cancerous, and appear as noticeable lumps or sores on the skin that won’t heal. The most common type of malignant skin tumors are mast cell tumors. Early detection is key to keeping your dog happy and healthy.
Hard Movable Lumps Under Dogs Skin
Even though it might look like bloated skin patches, the hard movable lumps under the dogs skin can pose serious medical problems that need immediate attention. As you can see in the pictures listed above and down below, some lumps look small at first but can quickly grow into large lumps of malignant tumors.
In this post, we will try to cover the culprits that are behind these lumps, but you have to come armed with the knowledge of your dogs recent symptoms to correctly narrow down the answer. If you really dont have the symptoms at hand, it is probably best to go to the vet for an immediate solution.
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What You Should Do If You Find A Lump On Your Pet
Finding a lump or bump on your pet can be frightening. Most people immediately think of cancer, but that is not always the case. If your pet has a lump, follow these steps: