Your dog is your best friend — so when you notice they have a new lump or bump, it’s natural to feel worried. Don’t jump to conclusions about their health too quickly, though. Fetch’s on-staff vet Dr. Aliya McCullough shares the different types of lumps on dogs and what they mean.
Always check in with your doctor if you find a lump on your dog. Some common causes of lumps and bumps on dogs are:
If the lump is accompanied by signs of sickness, it could mean your dog is experiencing an internal illness, like tumors, swollen lymph nodes or thyroid cancer. Symptoms of an internal illness may include:
A lump can often be identified by where it develops on your dog — here are some examples:
There’s no difference between lumps vs. bumps (including growths and masses). Regardless of how you choose to describe them, growths on dogs should always be tested by a veterinarian.
You should always get your pup’s lumps tested to be sure they’re not spreading, limiting your dog’s movement or about to rupture. Your vet will know the best plan of action. Some common tests include:
How your vet treats a mass depends on if it’s cancerous or noncancerous. Some masses heal on their own, while others need to be surgically removed or undergo chemotherapy or radiation. Make sure your pup is signed up for Fetch Dog Insurance, which can help alleviate additional stress during this time. If your vet needs to run tests to diagnose the lump, Fetch pet insurance can help cover the cost.
No matter the lump, it’s always a smart move to contact your vet. Sometimes lumps can appear on dogs overnight — if they don’t 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 doesn’t 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:
No one takes care of your dog better than you do — these tips just provide some direction on how to handle a lump that’s appeared on your pup.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
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