There is nothing more frightening for a dog owner than discovering a  lump under  their companion’s skin .

The scenario is often the same.

You’re on the couch, petting your dog, and then you feel a lump on your pet’s stomach, a lump on their back, or a lump under their jaw.

Then, quickly, your mind races. Is this lump under my dog’s skin new? What is it? Is it a sign of illness  ?  Cancer?

Nothing is more natural than thinking the worst  without the expertise of a veterinarian .

But rest assured, most of the lumps that we see on our dogs are  nodules  (lumps under the skin) of benign origin, that is to say, non-cancerous.

Here’s an overview of  common lumps in dogs  , as well as everything you need to know about veterinary diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.

 

10 Common Causes of Lumps Under (and On) the Skin in Dogs

Tumors are excessive growth of cells without any specific cause.

This ball or tumor is therefore not necessarily synonymous with cancer. It can be benign or malignant.

Other forms of lumps can also appear on and under your dog’s skin, such as cysts, warts, or abscesses. All of these lumps have their own origin, severity, and appearance.

Common bumps that appear under or on the skin of dogs include:

1. Lipoma

Lipoma is the most common benign mass that dogs develop.

It is a fat-filled tumor found under the skin of middle-aged or older dogs, and is considered a common part of aging.

It often takes the form of a soft, rounded, painless ball . It grows slowly and rarely spreads.

All breeds can develop lipomas, although overweight or obese dogs are more prone to them.

Your veterinarian may recommend monitoring or removing a particular lipoma , depending on where it is located and whether or not it interferes with your dog’s mobility.

2. Histiocytoma

A histiocytoma is a benign skin tumor .

It takes the form of a red button that is generally found on the legs and head of dogs under 6 years old. This nodule is often well defined and relatively firm.

Histiocytomas are linked to the proliferation of cutaneous immune cells.

If it is a histiocytoma, this small lump will probably disappear on its own .

However, if your dog has developed a lump on the paw like this, make an appointment to see your veterinarian because histiocytomas can resemble some other deadly cancers .

3. Perianal adenoma

A perianal adenoma is a benign tumor related to the sebaceous glands surrounding the anus.

These tumors are mostly seen in unneutered male dogs , although they have also been found in neutered females.

A perianal adenoma is often slow growing and painless , but can ulcerate and become infected on its surface.

It is therefore essential to consult a veterinarian if your dog develops a lump in the anus.

4. Old age ball

Just like seniors, older dogs can develop bumps, which are harmless, fibrous growths , often extending across the surface of the skin in a rod-like shape.

Dogs may develop one or more on their chest, legs, face, back, armpits, or other parts of their body.

These skin growths can develop in all breeds, although large breed dogs are more at risk.

5. Cyst

A cyst , which refers to a blocked sebaceous gland, is one of the superficial lumps that can develop on your dog’s skin.

A cyst is sort of like a really big pimple .

Harmless to your pet, it may disappear without treatment, but reappear later.

If it bursts, you will observe, as in humans, a white, pasty or cottage cheese-like material.

Most cysts do not cause problems, although they may become red and painful .

A veterinary consultation will always be recommended.

6. Abscess

The simplest way to describe an abscess is a “pocket of pus” located somewhere in the body.

If located under the skin , an abscess may appear suddenly as a painful swelling that may feel firm or spongy, like a water balloon.

An abscess results from a bacterial infection. It can be caused by a bite, or an infected wound.

Your veterinarian may wish to evaluate the abscess, drain it, flush the area with a sterile solution, and prescribe antibiotics.

7. Hives

Hives in dogs are similar to those in humans.

It can appear as raised redness , which can resemble nettle stings.

The underlying cause may be a reaction to an allergen such as a wasp sting or contact with a plant.

Hives often resolve on their own if the case is mild; however, sometimes your veterinarian may prefer to administer an antihistamine or steroid to relieve the itching.