My dog has a lump on his leg that's getting bigger. What should I do?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sebastian. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian as he appears to have a mass on his leg. His veterinarian will likely perform a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate to diagnose the mass. He could have a benign growth such as a histiocytoma that is common in young dogs. Unfortunately, an aggressive form of skin cancer known as a mast cell tumor is also possible. The two have the same outward appearance. An infection deep under the skin is also possible. Based on the diagnosis, the treatment will be different. In the meantime, place an E-collar on him to prevent him from licking the area. I hope this information helps!

Without a physical exam or diagnostics, it is difficult to determine if this is something to worry over. Ideally, a fine needle aspirate or biopsy should be done to collect samples for pathology. This may provide a diagnosis. X-rays of the limb may be recommended to rule out bony involvement. Since you state it is growing, it should be removed before it becomes too large. As it is, that is a difficult area to close after a mass removal.

A Histiocytoma is the most likely type of a mass based on Jaxson's age. Rarely these masses can turn out to be a Mast Cell Tumor or Plasmacellcytoma. If it is a Histiocytoma, it should resolve within 2-3 months. I think if you want to be on the safe side, have the mass aspirated by Jaxson's veterinarian. Mast Cell tumors are not common in young dogs but I have personally seen it in a 7 months old rat terrier. Otherwise, if does not resolve within 3 months, then have it aspirated. The only risk is that IF it is a Mast Cell Tumor, you've already waited 3 months, I hope this helps!

Thank you for providing a picture of Diesel's lump! It looks like it could be a histocytoma, which is a benign tumor, but without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. Histocytomas typically resolve on their own in a few months, but given that it seems to be getting bigger, I would recommend having him seen by a vet on Monday for it. The vet can do a fine needle aspirate to confirm if it is a histiocytoma or not. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. If it is a histiocytoma, the vet may want to wait to see if it resolves, or can discuss removing it surgically. I hope this helps!

Looking at the photo and considering your description of the progression of this, I would suspect that it is a growing mass. It could simply be a fatty lump such as a lipoma. Other possibilities would be a soft tissue swelling due to trauma, but this seems less likely considering the progression. I would head to the vet and get them to test the lump to see exactly what it is. If it is just a lipoma and not causing bother it should not need to be removed.

This could be a seroma from an injury, a cyst, abscess or a tumor. Cysts and abscesses need to be drained by a vet. If your vet suspects a tumor, he will do a fine needle aspirate to determine whether it is a harmless lipoma, which does not need to be removed unless it is ulcerating or bothers the dog due to its location or size, or another tumor that needs to be removed. Please make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam of the mass.

I would recommend to take Atlas in to get that mass aspirated. Any red mass should always be checked as there is the concern for a malignant tumor called a Mast Cell Tumor. The aspiration will most likely be able to tell what kind of mass it is and if it needs to be removed. Do this sooner rather than later! Please post again if you have any further questions!