Question by Heather: Skin lumps on my senior dog?
My 16 year old shih tzu appears to have a lump on the back of his head and two more on his back in different spots. The one on the head is bigger than the other two (Maybe the size of a dime or smaller) but they kinda feel pimple humans get under their skin where the skin is raised a little but there is no head on it. I am concerned it might be cancer, however, he has had skin problems all his life due to allergies and would get lumps like this on his skin that would go away. My concern is that he is old and it might be more than just allergies. He also has Chronic Renal Failure which he is getting medicine and I give him fluid which is helping. I mention this because I don’t know if maybe the kidney failure has anything to do with it. He acts and feels great. He is very energetic for an old boy and everything else looks good. Appetite is pretty good, although he has his days and his stool is normal. I just know he is old and anything can happen. Please help. Thank you
He already has an appointment next week for updated blood work for CRF so I will ask the vet. It is not bleeding and has not appeared to have gotten bigger since I noticed it so I will try not to freak out. He is my baby though and I love him very much and just want to do what is best for him. Obviously, he’s old so I do not how much longer I will have but if I can help him in any way that won’t put him in pain and as long as he is feeling great (which he is) I am going to do what I can for him. He’s a happy, energetic, spoiled rotten little dog and that makes me happy.

Best answer:

Answer by walking lady
Please don’t assume its cancer! Seniors tend to get warts, cysts, fatty deposits – things like that. If you’re concerned, your vet could test one to see what it is, but if they aren’t bothering him, no draining of fluid from them, I’d just leave them alone. He’s 16 years old, I don’t think he needs to be poked and prodded at during this stage of his life.

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Question by Pug?Bug: My dog has small lumps on his head, what could they be?
I have a pug who is nearly 2 years old. He has suddenly developed small lumps on his head. They are in 2 lines on each side of his head and feel quite hard. They don’t appear to itch, but I can see the skin underneath his fur appears to be a little red.

He has been on quite a lot of medication for treating a bacterial infection and demodex mites. He has finished his antibiotic treatment about 2 weeks ago, around the same time I applied an ‘advocate’ pipette for the mites.

The mite treatment also treats fleas, lice and some types of work so I don’t think the cause could be from any of the above. I wash his bedding every 2-3 days and the area where he sleeps is cleaned everyday.

I have looked on the internet and have found that the possible cause of this could be an allergy which my vet has already discussed with me, and said an allergy could be the cause of the problems we were initially having.

The mite outbreak has been cleared and no mites were found at his last skin scraping. Does anyone know what the possible cause of these lumps could be?

I am going to make my dog an appointment at the vets, just wanted to know if anyone had any helpful advice or tips in the meantime?

Thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Jhay Chiong
The term tumor applies to any lump, bump, or growth. It can also include a swelling created by an abscess or similar problem. Tumors fall into two categories: benign and malignant.

http://lnk.nu/dogtime.com/t4n.html

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I have a pug who is nearly 2 years old. He has suddenly developed small lumps on his head. They are in 2 lines on each side of his head and feel quite hard. They don’t appear to itch, but I can see the skin underneath his fur appears to be a little red.

He has been on quite a lot of medication for treating a bacterial infection and demodex mites. He has finished his antibiotic treatment about 2 weeks ago, around the same time I applied an ‘advocate’ pipette for the mites.

The mite treatment also treats fleas, lice and some types of work so I don’t think the cause could be from any of the above. I wash his bedding every 2-3 days and the area where he sleeps is cleaned everyday.

I have looked on the internet and have found that the possible cause of this could be an allergy which my vet has already discussed with me, and said an allergy could be the cause of the problems we were initially having.

The mite outbreak has been cleared and no mites were found at his last skin scraping. Does anyone know what the possible cause of these lumps could be?

I am going to make my dog an appointment at the vets, just wanted to know if anyone had any helpful advice or tips in the meantime?

Thanks