Lump - Page 1

My 19 month old female has a lump on her back just beside the spinal cord about twice the size of a green pea. The color of the lump is exactly the same color of the skin, it is firm and attached to the skin (inner layer)itself. I had the vet take a look at it and he told me it could be a cyst or a tumor or something else that is not life threathening. Unfortunately I live in a place where vets are not that good. Can somebody please tell me the possibilities of this? P.S. Another things I would like to add about the descripton of the lump is that it's not painful, I think cause if I pinched it the dog doesn't react and it doesn't have any fluid that comes out of it nor it is itchy. Thank you!

looking at the lump there is no way to determine if the cyst/lump is tumorous or just a simple lump. I had my male operated for a lump near the chest. Turns out that he had probably fallen/slipped on his chest and there was a blood clot. My vet said that had we not removed it would have just stayed there. Looking at it externally even the Vet can only guess. The best thing is to get it surgically removed and have it analyzed to root out the possibility of a future regrowth. That is IF the Vet suggests.

Chinito, I have a four & one-half (4 1/2) year old bitch with a similar lump in a similar area. It is a small cyst that does not rupture or weep, and currently presents no danger since it is not changing size, shape, or colour. This cyst has been present for at least three (3) years and has not caused any problems. It is examined each year by a veterinarian, and determined to be no threat. Your girl probably has something very similar. If you do not trust your veterinarian and are still concerned, just have them remove the lump, as this is simple if it is just below the skin. Bob-O

The most likely cause of this lump is a sebaceous gland cyst. This is very common in GSDs. It can be aspirated if you or your vet want to know for sure. Unless it becomes infected, grows larger or otherwise causes a problem, generally such cysts are left alone. Most of the time they will open up and ooze a cheesy like substance. Sometimes they go away, other times they stay and sometimes they cause no trouble. Generally, if it is a sebaceous gland cyst it is best to not remove it unless it is causing trouble.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'll just observe the lump and hopefully it's nothing serious. Tnx again.