Treating a Dog With a Lump on Head

by Suzette Reed
(Westfield ,NY USA)

Reader Question:My dog is a 12-year-old rescue Lhasa apso, Radar is a male and has been fixed. Last year I found a few lumps under his skin and the Vet told me they were fatty lumps.

Last night I felt a larger lump on his head, I’ve enclosed a picture. I’m scared to death.

Suggestion from our veterinarian

Hi Suzette,

I understand why you are scared. Finding a lump on your dog, especially an older dog, is always cause for concern. Make an appointment with your veterinarian so he or she can identify this new mass, but keep in mind that many are not too serious (like those fatty lumps you described).

This lump could be a cyst, the result of an infection, or a benign tumor. Once you know what you are dealing with, your veterinarian will go over your treatment options.

Even if you find out that the lump is cancerous or something equally scary, you’ll at least have the information you need to make good choices.

Best of luck,
Jennifer Coates, DVM