What are the bubble bumps on my dog

Common Bumps On Dogs Skin And What They Mean

Finding a bump or lump on your dog can immediately send you spiraling trying to figure out what it is.

Is it just a fatty tumor? Is it cancerous? Do you need to worry?

We reached out to Dr. Corinne Wigfall, a veterinarian working with SpiritDog Training, and Dr. Justin Padgett, a veterinarian at Branchville Animal Hospital, to learn more about the different kinds of bumps on dogs' skin.

Common types of bumps on dogs skin

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of different types of lumps and bumps that dogs can get. Some are harmless, while others might mean something more serious is going on.

And you may even notice these bumps on your dog more often as he gets older but that doesnt always mean theyre a cause for concern!

As they age, the lumps and bumps increase as their cellular defense mechanisms break down and tumors (benign and malignant) are free to proliferate more readily, Dr. Padgett told The Dodo.

Some of the most common bumps and lumps you may find on your dog include:

1. Lipomas

These are benign fatty tumors that are typically harmless. Lipomas are usually soft and squishy and will probably move around under your fingers. They usually arent tender to the touch, so your pup likely wont even notice it.

2. Sebaceous cysts

According to Dr. Padgett, sebaceous cysts are cauliflower-looking growths that are full of gray, pasty material (this material can be liquid or semi-liquid). They arent cancerous, but you should still get them checked out (and possibly removed) if theyre bothering your pup.

3. Papillomas

Papillomas are oral warts typically found in your dogs mouth as a result of having papilloma virus. They usually grow in clusters and can sometimes become cancerous, so theyre always good to get checked.

4. Skin tags

Skin tags are pretty common on dogs (especially older pups), so youve likely seen one or two before. They arent cancerous and are often long, thin pieces of skin that hang off of your pup.

5. Haematomas

These are blood blisters under the skin most commonly seen in the ear. These arent cancerous, but your pup will have to get surgery in order to remove it.

6. Abscesses

An abscess is a painful bump or swelling that can sometimes fill up with pus. They should always be checked out (and usually drained) by a vet so that they dont rupture on their own and cause an infection.

7. Cancerous masses

These are various types of bumps that can be cancerous, like mast cell tumors (cancer of the immune system), melanoma (skin cancer) and mammary carcinoma (breast cancer).

While it can be difficult to know just by looking which bumps are cancerous or not, if a growth seems to have appeared overnight, is larger than the typical bumps your dog has had, and is painful or hard, you should get it checked out ASAP.

Dogs can have multiple bumps or lumps on the skin, and each one can have a different origin, so [they] all need testing by a veterinarian at least once, Dr. Wigfall told The Dodo.

What causes lumps and bumps on your dogs skin?

Some lumps and bumps are caused by different cancers or skin conditions, and others can be caused by skin infections or even allergic reactions.

When it comes to skin infections, Dr. Wigfall said that those can present as lots of small, raised bumps on the skin, while allergic reactions can present as big welts all over the body that come and go within 72 hours.

When to take your dog to the vet

Any lump or bump should be checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Owners should be concerned about growths that grow quickly, are firm to the touch, appear to contain a lot of inflammation and those that are bothersome/painful for the dog, Dr. Padgett said.

What your veterinarian finds will determine how the bump is treated, if at all. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics or surgery can resolve the issue, Dr. Wigfall said. If it is a non-cancerous growth, such as a wart [or] skin tag, you may choose to leave it alone and only surgically remove it if it is growing too big and causing a problem for the animals mobility or is getting caught and infected.

If the bump is determined to be cancerous, itll require surgical removal and be tested to figure out if any further treatment is needed.

So while many bumps on dogs' skin will be OK and nothing to worry about, its always a good idea to get them checked out by your vet just in case.

Red Alert: 9 Types of Red Lumps on Dogs [With Pictures]

This article was updated on February 13th, 2024

Seeing a new red lump or bump on your dog can be scary. But dont jump to conclusions just yet. Our veterinarians Dr. Chyrle Bonk and Dr. Jamie Whittenburg have treated hundreds of dogs with a red lump. In this article, they will provide important information you should know as well as 9 types of red lumps that are most commonly found on dogs (with images).

9 common types of red lumps in dogs (with images)

The most likely causes of red lumps and bumps in dogs are:

1. Histiocytomas

Histiocytes are cells that work surveillance for the immune system. Occasionally, especially in younger dogs, these cells can over-reproduce and create small, red lumps. These bumps are fast-growing but are benign.

Treatment and prognosis: Histiocytomas often go away on their own, usually within a few months. However, if your dog is bothered by it or has caused ulceration or an infection, surgical removal may be necessary. Learn more about Histiocytomas.

2. Warts

Warts are very frequent in dogs, especially senior dogs. They are caused by an infection with the papillomavirus. While warts are typically a darker color, they may also appear pink/reddish, as shown in the pictures below.

Treatment and prognosis: Warts are most often benign. Occasionally, they can become cancerous, so any wart that is a long-term issue or that changes in color/size/look needs to be investigated by a vet.Learn more about Warts.

3. Skin tags

Skin tags are another benign growth in dogs that typically occurs as dogs get older. They are usually fairly small, soft, and the color of a dogs skin. Occasionally, they can become red and inflamed if your dog scratches them, as shown below.

Most skin tags wont require treatment and generally dont get big enough to become problematic.Learn more about Skin Tags.

4. Mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumors come in very different shapes and sizesincluding red lumps or bumps, as pictured below.

These tumors are more often seen in middle-aged and older dogs but can affect younger dogs, too. Mast cell tumors are not always malignant, but its impossible to know which ones are and which arent without a fine needle aspirate or biopsy.

Treatment and prognosis: If caught early on, mast cell tumors have a high success rate with removal. If caught later, these tumors may spread to local lymph nodes and other organs, requiring surgical removal as well as chemotherapy.Learn more about Mast Cell Tumors.

5. Squamous cell carcinomas

Squamous cell carcinomas in dogs are fairly rare, and they vary in their levels of aggressive cancerous behavior in terms of spreading.

These types of malignant tumors are usually found on areas of skin that are bare or have little hair. They are more common in dogs with light-colored skin. Squamous cell tumors in dogs can be raised lumps or nodules, or flatter areas of ulcerated skin. They sometimes resemble warts. The growth pictured below is one example:

Treatment and prognosis: The most common treatment for squamous cell carcinomas is surgical removal. Learn more about Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

6. Skin rashes and red bumps (allergies)

Dogs also develop bumps or rashes as a result of allergies or other irritants. This may appear as many small bumps or just a few larger bumps. The cause can be an allergy to fleas, pollens, or chemicals in the environment. Red bumps can also be a sign of mites. The bumps may also be itchy, which can cause bleeding, oozing, and secondary infections.

Treatment and prognosis: We treat most skin rashes in dogs by dealing with the underlying cause. For allergies, we start by trying to remove the allergen from the dogs environment or treating with antihistamines or anti-inflammatories is usually helpful. When mites are present, we will treat the issues with an anti-parasiticide. Secondary infections may require antibiotics. Learn more about Skin Allergy Rashes.

7. Foreign objects

Any dog thats out and about may come in contact with things that are sharp and prickly. Sometimes, those things can become lodged in a dogs skin, where they will become inflamed and develop a red bump. Grass seeds, thistle stickers, and slivers are common culprits. Dogs may lick at these bumps, causing them to become raw and ooze. They may grow very quickly and be quite alarming.

Treatment and prognosis: Veterinary treatment is usually recommended: leaving a foreign body can make it worse and increase the likelihood of complications. Surgical removal is usually all it takes. Sometimes, those objects can be too small to see. Soaking the area in Epsom salts and getting antibiotics from your veterinarian (to control secondary infections) can get rid of most foreign body issues. Learn more.

8. Cysts

Interdigital cysts, also known as interdigital furunculosis, are typically small, firm bumps between the toes, usually on the front feet (see picture below). They are usually red and inflamed, sometimes oozing discharge or pus.

Treatment and prognosis: Home treatments include bathing with Epsom salts. However, this is unlikely to fully resolve the cyst, and veterinary treatment is recommended to address the underlying cause (for example, a foreign body or an allergy). Treatments may include antibiotics, bathing, anti-inflammatory medication, and management of any underlying allergies. Learn more about Interdigital Cysts.

Other types of cysts can also become infected and look like red bumps, as shown in the image below (pearly, red, and raised bump that has slightly bruised and ulcerated on the surface):

9. Melanomas

Melanoma tumors are dark and can be small, or large, flat, or raised. They can be either benign or malignant, so they shouldnt be ignored. If a dog has malignant melanoma, its usually an aggressive cancer that recurs even after removal and may spread throughout the body quickly, so the lesion needs to be surgically removed as quickly as possible.

Treatment and prognosis: Malignant melanomas are very aggressive, and prompt treatment is required for the best outcome. Surgery is required to remove the initial tumor, and radiation may be necessary to deal with any spread. Chemotherapy generally isnt very successful. Read more about Melanomas.

Important: It is often not possible to diagnose a lump just by looking at it. Diagnosis often involves taking samples and analyzing them under a microscope or sending them to a laboratory for analysis. Learn more.

A red lump can be cancerous, but most are harmless

A raised red lump on a dog is usually the skins way of showing inflammation. It can be as benign as a wart or an irritated cyst. As Dr. Bonk clarifies, many are benign so its important not to jump to conclusions:

As a veterinarian, Ive seen many red bumps and lumps in dogs. Most are harmless, but some can be cancerous. Cancerous lumps are typically growing rapidly or changing in appearance quickly. Cancerous lumps are often firmer to the touch and tend to have more irregular shapes.

Dr. Chyrle Bonk

On the other hand, a red color, as well as ulceration and a firm, irregular texture, are all common properties of a cancerous growth. The picture below shows a red cancerous growth:

Yes, red, black or just generally unhealthy looking lesions are more likely to be cancerous. However, most red lumps are benign so its important to get your dogs lump tested with a biopsy. Hopefully this will confirm good news.

Dr. Chyrle Bonk

Should I take my dog to the vet?

When to call your veterinarian:

1. The bump changes size, shape, or color. Taking pictures and measurements every couple of days can really help you get an idea of whether the lump is changing or not.
2. The bump oozes, bleeds, or ruptures.
3. Your dog constantly licks or chews on the bump.
4. Your dog develops any new similar lumps.
5. Your dog is showing other signs of illness.

When you can monitor the lump at home:

1. The lump stays a uniform size, shape, and color.
2. Your dog isnt bothered by it.
3. It appears to be getting smaller/better.

If you choose to monitor your dogs lump at home, it still may be a good idea to get in touch with your vet just so that they know whats going on if you end up bringing them in. Also, keep in mind that any changes in a lump, no matter how small, can be significant.

How is a new red bump diagnosed?

There is no surefire way to diagnose a lump with full confidence just by looking at it. It is important to get a biopsy done to know what you are up against. A biopsy is a medical procedure to extract and examine a small tissue sample. Our veterinarian director Dr. Whittenburg, explains:

We have had red lumps that seemed benign come back as cancerous after lab analysis, and vice versa. The diagnosis of skin lumps and bumps often involves your vet taking samples and sending them to an external laboratory for analysis.

Diagnostic tests typically cost $300-$500, but biopsies done under anesthetic may cost $600 or more. Learn more about biopsies to diagnose lumps.

Other less common causes

Hot spots, ulcers, and lick granulomas

Things like ulcers or erosions of the skin, a raised hot spot, or a lick granuloma can all take on the appearance of a red bump. They will usually be hairless, red, and could be bloody or moist.

Dogs often lick them, which usually makes them worse. Pictured below is a cancerous bump that has become ulcerated, most likely due to the dog licking or scratching it:

Causes:

1. Hot spots are often due to allergies or excessive moisture trapped in a thick hair coat.
2. Ulcers can be due to a wound or self-inflicted by the dog licking or scratching at a different kind of bump or lump.
3. Lick granulomas are another self-inflicted issue where a dog excessively licks because of arthritis pain in a joint, allergies, or anxiety.

Treatment and prognosis: Ulcers, hot spots, and granulomas are best treated by treating the underlying condition. This often includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and creating some kind of roadblock to prevent licking. Lick granulomas may also require behavior modification or medication to treat.

Insect or bug bites

Bug bites or stings can potentially cause red bumps on your dogs skin, especially if youre dealing with an external parasite like fleas or mange. Below is a picture showing an insect bite on a dogs lip.

Dogs may also be itchy with these types of bumps, and you may see other evidence, like flea dirt on their fur.

Treatment and prognosis: A veterinarian will be able to diagnose bug bites and treat them accordingly.

Related posts:

Red Skin Issues and Rashes in Dogs

Images of Skin Problems in Dogs

Common Lumps and Bumps on Dogs

Red Bumps or Spots on the Belly

• Dr. Chyrle Bonk received her Master in Animal Science from the University of Idaho and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Oregon State University in 2010. She has over 10 years of experience in small animal veterinary practice, working for a veterinary clinic in Idaho.

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Disclaimer: This website's content is not a substitute for veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian for healthcare decisions. Read More.