The health of pets is essential for anyone who has one, since most of the time, these animals are seen as an integral part of any family and losing a loved one due to some unknown disease can be very unfortunate. For this reason, we will teach you everything related to the hard lump in dogs, in this article.
hard lump on dog
It is important to consider the health status of this furry member of the family to ensure that it has a long and full life. We must be aware that we can notice lumps or bumps on your body during a moment of its existence. This type of inflammation is of great importance and we must have a great observation of it, as well as a professional diagnosis because we can talk about serious illnesses.
Of course, this does not mean that every hard lump in a dog is going to be cancerous, for that you have to be constant and think that, if something arose, it will have an origin and it is necessary to do medical examinations and care. Inflammations, welts and bruises can be physical manifestations that can be the consequence of a health problem and require our attention and also an adequate veterinary diagnosis.
To detect these inflammations, it is necessary to observe the dog, as well as feel the body and, when we can see any anomaly, always have a veterinary opinion. A good time to see these lumps is during brushing, but with a simple pat we can see if our dog has any unusual inflammation in the body.
First of all, we must understand and be clear that any swelling is due to the fact that there is a problem. The severity, like everything else, depends on the root cause and causes of the problem and the potential impact. That is why it is important and necessary to have an early professional diagnosis in order to assess the state of this inflammation, its causes and possible consequences.
For this reason, the basic point will be the observation of our dog to know if something has changed in the body and above all not to underestimate the seriousness of the inflammation, since we insist that it can be something serious. It will be especially important to act in time if we find any deviation.
How to determine the appearance of lumps?
To better understand what a hard lump in a dog is, it is best to ask a series of questions that canine owners and lovers usually ask themselves. Therefore, here are some that will help determine this ailment.
Is this the first time a lump appears?
It may not be the first time and a specialist has diagnosed a lump due to some kind of skin inflammation or allergy. In any case, a new veterinary consultation will be necessary to rule it out.
Do you have any other?
It is necessary to be aware of any inflammation that we can feel throughout the dog's body when it is looking for more. This is important so that the information is directly available to the specialist when analyzing the package.
How long has the dog been with the hard lump?
The best thing is to know how long our pet has been with it, that way the specialist will be able to tell us how serious the situation is and how it can be solved.
Does it present resistance or discomfort when touched in the affected area?
If the answer is yes, it is best to let our specialist know. Since that helps a lot to determine the condition of the lump and the possible treatment that our pet should have.
Do you have increased temperature in the area of the lump?
When examining it, we must note not only the texture and inflammation of the skin, but also the temperature, since if it feels very hot, this detail should be reported to the specialist.
Is there any relationship with medical treatments, food or blows with the hard lump in dogs?
When facing the specialist, it is best to ask about the causes of the hard lump in dogs and if it is related to medical treatments, food or a blow. The answer will surely be yes. Since in some cases they can react with the skin of our pet.
Package Types
There are several types of hard lump in dogs, most of them are classified according to the type of origin they have. Next, we will explain in depth each type of them:
Neoplasms
A medical term for an abnormal mass on the skin that occurs when the cells that make it up increase in number at a higher rate than normal. This type of lump can be benign when it spreads only locally and malignant when it behaves aggressively, compresses nearby tissue, and spreads distantly. Externally, they manifest as a mass or tumor that changes the architecture of the organ in which they settle.
However, they can be so small that a microscope is needed to detect them. Usually this type of hard lump in dogs occurs in those who are very old.
Cyst
It is nothing more than a closed sac with its own membrane that grows less frequently in a cavity or body structure, its distinctive feature being the fact that the cells that make up its membrane are different from those of the body.
These types of hard lumps in dogs are caused by some type of blow to their body, generating the rupture of a blood vessel that stains the skin, thus producing the well-known purple color.
keloid scars
A kind of sore that spreads throughout the affected area over time. Keloids most often form on the breastbone, shoulder, upper chest and back, earlobe, and face. But, it should be mentioned that these do not turn into a cancerous disease, but can be bothersome or painful enough to require treatment.
Although it can form again after treatment. You can prevent them from forming by taking steps to protect your skin after it has been damaged.
Abscesses
It is the accumulation of pus caused by an infection in any part of the body. It is a reaction of the body to this infectious process that causes inflammation that can be seen as lumps under the skin. Other times, this swelling creates a sore or opening that allows pus to leak out. When this happens, it is common to think of a dog's skin infection, but the infection does not have to be skin.
by vaccines
Also, although it is rare, lumps can appear in dogs due to vaccinations or, in general, the subcutaneous administration of any drug. They are the lumps of the dogs in the neck or in the mane area, this is where it is usually pricked.
lymph nodes
Sometimes the lymph nodes enlarge in response to an infection and we can see them group together under the skin. They are usually noticeable on the neck or hind legs. If this is the case, it is important that you go to the vet, as the dog will likely need antibiotics.
Papules
Papules or pustules are common skin lesions without pus or serosity that are raised, firm, and less than an inch in diameter. The origin of the papules can be allergic, but they can also result from follicular infections or exposure to irritating or toxic substances. These lesions usually go away without treatment, but they can become infected and require veterinary attention.
Lipoma
These types of lumps in dogs are fatty, soft, can be benign, and are under the skin. They usually appear in adults and it is not necessary to remove them unless they are causing discomfort in the dog. If, after diagnosis, the result suggests the malignancy of this anomaly, the specialist will certainly recommend its removal, which is usually simple if it is a small mass.
mast cells
Mast cells are cells, distributed throughout the body, whose function is associated with inflammatory and allergic reactions, but sometimes some, inexplicably, can become malignant. These masses can appear in any area of our dog's body, although more commonly inside or under the skin. Commonly affected sites are the trunk or extremities.
These shocks in dogs can have a firm or soft bulging appearance, similar to other benign and malignant shocks. They can change in size and show various signs, such as redness, bruising, sores, swelling, or hair loss. They usually affect older dogs and certain breeds, such as: bulldog, boston, boxer, labrador or golden retriever.
Since it is impossible to diagnose these lumps with the naked eye, it is necessary for the specialist to carry out tests to confirm or rule out whether it is a mast cell tumor or not.
Veterinary Diagnosis
Now that we have seen the different types of hard lump in dogs, the best will be the opinion of a veterinarian who will determine the type of injury that our pet presents in different ways.
palpation phase
It should be noted that the specialist with a simple touch can know a lot about the type of package in question, depending on its hardness, the discomfort it causes the animal, its appearance. Therefore, to put a "face" to the type of mass in question, the veterinarian, as a first step, will carry out a complete physical examination of the animal. It will then focus on the alien mass and its surroundings.
Tests to be done
After doing the previous phase, the specialist will indicate the tests that should be done to the pet and be able to better determine its health situation. Among which we can mention:
Blood and urine tests
Generally, the first test that is done on the animal is a blood and urine test to see if something other than what we imagine could have caused this problem, such as a possible infection.
X-rays
A full x-ray and, if possible, another x-ray of the area will continue to take a closer look at the size and type of lump. Normally, if something strange is observed, an X-ray will be done so that, in the case of any type of dangerous lump such as a tumor, it will rule out or confirm the presence of any type of metastasis.
Ultrasound
A test that the veterinarian can perform if he considers it appropriate is an ultrasound. It seeks to differentiate masses of cystic origin from more solid masses and to evaluate if any organ is affected.
Magnetic resonance
If a large swelling is observed in the body, an MRI examination will be performed. With it, the extension of the mass in question will be delimited.
Biopsy
Finally, a biopsy must be performed to accurately determine and analyze the properties of the mass and whether it is benign or malignant.
Final Considerations
To conclude with the article on the hard lump in a dog, we would like to mention a series of details that are very important to know about the subject. Since they will help the owner of each pet to be well informed and prepared to face this situation.
older dogs
Age is the most determining factor when it comes to developing cancer and time is always against us. If we notice any anomaly, whatever it may be, we go to the vet as soon as possible so that it does not continue. Time is vital to save the health of our best friend.
Cancer caused by a hard lump in a dog
Studies confirm that more than half of dogs that live an average of ten years or more die of some form of cancer. This disease usually begins to manifest with a lump, which is why we insist that the speed of diagnosis is vital. Cancer starts from a single cell that undergoes a series of mutations that make it anarchic.
environmental agent
Keep in mind that many environmental factors can cause these problems: chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, radiation such as ultraviolet and X-rays, among others. The effects of these agents tend to accumulate over the years, which explains why cancer occurs primarily in older dogs.
Ignoring its existence can be a serious mistake
At present, the specific cause of some tumors or malignancies may not be known exactly. Therefore, it is important to have a control, a professional diagnosis and, ultimately, prevention so that our best friend has good health and a long life.
We hope this article What to do if you find a hard lump on your dog? has been to your liking, if you are interested in knowing more about other topics, we invite you to read about: