My dog has a new, growing spot on his lip. Should I call the vet?

This looks to be a histiocytoma. I don't think he needs a vet visit just yet. Often these will go away on their own. I would only be worried if it doesn't go away in a month or so OR if it grows larger OR if it starts to bother him. Please read this information: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 Of course, if you are worried, a vet visit is never a bad idea.

I can understand your concern. But in this case we wouldn't be able to positively identify what is causing this swelling. There are several possibilities including and inflammatory reaction to a local hypersensitivity, an abscess or a mass. Since it has grown in size you are doing the correct thing by getting this seen by your vet and it likely will need to get sampled to determine what cells or fluid is inside so that it is properly identified and treated. If it is an inflammatory reaction then antihistamines and/or steroids may be prescribed to treat this area, which can only be prescribed by your vet after an exam has been complete. It is good that it isn't painful; therefore I would recommend just leaving the area alone until Benji's vet visit. I hope all goes well and this is able to get resolved soon. Best wishes and take care.

I would recommend having this spot examined by your veterinarian. Boxers are prone to developing tumors, especially mast cell tumors and it is possible that this spot on his nose is something like a mast cell tumor. Other more benign tumors are possible, or it may be an area of infection or a granuloma. Your veterinarian may want to take a sample using a needle (fine needle aspirate) to examine under the microscope and help determine what this mass might be.

If the spot has changed in size over time it wouldn't hurt to have your vet take another look at it, especially if the change was very rapid over the past few days or weeks. Your vet may recommend taking a sample of the spot for testing to help determine what it may be so it can be treated as needed. Growths like this can be caused by any number of things including rubbing the spot often on surfaces, cysts, blisters, allergies, etc, so having it examined if it is changing is best.

Hello there, This appears to be a small skin growth on Niklaus' chin. I would recommend having him seen by his regular veterinarian this week for an exam. They can take a small needle aspirate of the lump (fine needle aspirate) and examine the cells to tell you more information. There are two main things that I am suspicious of, though it may be something else entirely: histioctyoma or mast cell tumor. Histiocytomas are a benign and generally self resolving type of growth. Mast cell tumors are unfortunately a type of cancer and he may need surgical removal of the mass as well as more testing. I will hope for a benign finding for Niklaus growth. Best of luck to you two.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Kona does have what appears to be a small, round, red and slightly bloody bump on her lip margin. This can be caused by an infection, which may have resulted from a small cut. While Kona is pretty young, it is possible that the bump is a small tumor, and it can be removed to determine if it is benign (not harmful) or malignant (likely to spread). It is concerning that the bump has gotten bigger over time, so I recommend having her seen by a vet. You can get her an E-collar or "cone" to prevent her from scratching or rubbing the area. I hope this helps!

Ouch! Any new change should always be checked out by your vet, especially if it's different from any other growths seen on the body. Skin tags and other growths can sometimes cause pockets of hair loss like this, however, other issues such as bacterial or fungal infections (like ringworm) can also cause round patches of hair loss like this as well, which need to be treated by a vet. A quick fine-needle aspirate can determine if there are any concerns, and if your vet suspects something bacterial or fungal, it can be treated with oral antibiotics and cleaning of the area. Until you get to your vet, keeping an eye on the spot for any changes in size/shape, and keeping Eddie from licking it can help monitor for changes and reduce the chances of a secondary issue. It's also important to keep the area clean and dry, and thoroughly wash your hands after handling the area as some bacterial/fungal causes can be contagious to people.