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Skin masses / lesions
Found a new lump, bump, or sore on your pet’s skin?
Finding a new lump on your pet is unsettling. Many are harmless — but the only way to know is to have it checked, and checking early gives the best options.
Signs you might notice
A new lump or growth
A mass on or under the skin you hadn’t noticed before
A sore that won’t heal
A scab or ulcer that keeps coming back or won’t close
A changing mass
A lump that’s changing in size, color, or shape
Licking or irritation
Redness, discharge, or your pet focusing on one spot
What's really going on
Skin masses are common in pets, and many are harmless — but some are not, and you can’t reliably tell which is which by look or feel alone.
How big a mass is, or how fast it grew, does not reliably predict whether it’s benign or serious.
A simple sample — a fine-needle aspirate or a biopsy — is the only way to know for certain.
How a specialist helps
A veterinary dermatologist examines the mass, samples it (aspirate or biopsy), and — when needed — has it read by a dermatopathologist for a definitive diagnosis.
If treatment is warranted, they can remove the mass surgically or with a laser and confirm it was fully removed, guided by the diagnosis.
What to expect at your visit
- An exam of the mass and your pet’s overall skin
- A fine-needle aspirate or biopsy to sample it
- Dermatopathology when needed for a definitive answer
- A treatment plan — including removal — based on the diagnosis
Common questions
Get help for your pet
Request a visit with our team and we'll take it from here.