Skin Lumps, Growths and Tumours in Dogs

What Causes Skin Lumps and Growths in Dogs?

Skin lumps may arise from a range of different processes, including benign growth, inflammation or neoplasia. Skin lumps and growths can arise from a range of tissues within the skin, including fat, glands, connective tissue and immune cells. These changes may be benign, inflammatory or neoplastic (tumour-related).

Common types of skin lumps in dogs include:

The appearance of a lump alone is not always sufficient to determine its nature, and different types of lesions can look similar on visual examination. 

Signs Associated with Skin Lumps and Growths

Skin lumps may vary in size, shape, texture and rate of change, and may be present for some time before being noticed.

• A visible or palpable lump beneath or within the skin
• Changes in size, shape or consistency over time
• Soft, firm or irregular texture
• Ulceration or breakdown of the skin surface
• Redness or inflammation
• Discharge or bleeding in some cases
• Licking, scratching or irritation of the area

Changes such as rapid growth, ulceration or irritation may indicate the need for more urgent assessment.

Why Early Assessment of Skin Lumps Is Important

While many skin lumps in dogs are benign, it is often not possible to determine the nature of a lesion based on appearance alone.

Early assessment allows for:

• Identification of lesions that may require further investigation or treatment
• Differentiation between benign and more significant conditions
• Monitoring of lesions where immediate treatment is not required
• More effective planning where intervention is indicated

Delays in assessment can allow some lesions to progress or become more difficult to manage, particularly in the case of certain tumour types.

How We Diagnose Skin Lumps and Growths in Dogs

A structured diagnostic approach is used to assess skin lumps and determine their nature. Where referral is recommended, your dog’s assessment begins with a dermatology consultation, where our clinician reviews their history and examines the lesion, including its size, location, appearance and behaviour over time. From here, our clinicians tailor a targeted diagnostic approach.

A tailored diagnostic approach may include:

• Cytology and Fine-Needle Aspirates – a minimally invasive test used to collect cells from a lump to help determine its nature. 
• Biopsy and Dermatopathology – recommended in selected cases to obtain a tissue sample for more detailed evaluation and definitive diagnosis. 
• Monitoring and serial assessment – used in selected cases where lesions are stable and appear consistent with benign change

Each step helps ensure that management decisions are based on an accurate diagnosis, rather than appearance alone.

How Skin Lumps and Growths in Dogs Are Managed

Management depends on the type of lesion, its behaviour over time, and your dog’s individual circumstances. Not all lumps require immediate treatment, but appropriate assessment is important to guide decision-making.

Depending on the diagnosis, management may include:

• Monitoring of stable, benign lesions
• Surgical removal, including CO₂ laser surgery in selected cases to support precision, reduce bleeding and improve comfort
• Further investigation or staging in selected cases
• Management of associated inflammation or secondary changes

For many dogs, a combination of appropriate assessment, monitoring and timely intervention allows effective management while maintaining comfort and quality of life.

The goal is to ensure that each lesion is accurately characterised, allowing management to be proportionate, appropriate and tailored to your dog.

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