Tags vs. Tumors on a Dog's Skin

Skin conditions can occur in dogs just like in humans. You may notice a bump or growth on your dog̵7;s skin or possibly on her lips or gums. Although the majority of the time these turn out to be harmless tags, it is always best to have a veterinarian remove and test them to make sure they are not cancerous. If it̵7;s malignant, early detection and treatment will give your dog a better prognosis.

  1. Fibropapillomas

    • Fibropapillomas are also known as polyps and are the most common types of skin tags that develop on a dog. Fibropapillomas are not cancerous and are harmless, although they can become a bother if they are located on a part of the body where they can be bumped or pulled at. Removal is not necessary, but is recommended to keep your dog comfortable and avoid infection if the skin is opened or bleeding from a tag that has torn.

    Papillomaviruses

    • Canine papillomaviruses can appear orally or on the skin, although it is a different virus that causes the two outbreaks. The growths can have a ̶0;cauliflower̶1; look to them, and although schnauzers and pugs seem to be predisposed to cutaneous (skin surface) outbreaks, any breed of dog can contract the canine papillomavirus. Removal and testing is recommended as the virus can develop into cancer.

    Sarcomas and Tumors

    • Cancerous lumps on the surface of the skin can occur in any breed of dog. An irregular bump that appears suddenly and appears to grow rapidly should not be ignored, but neither should a growth that has an irregular shape and doesn̵7;t go away over a period of a few weeks. To be safe, have your veterinarian perform a biopsy by needle aspirate. This is done by withdrawing cells from the inside of the bump through a hypodermic needle so that the cells can be tested. This is easier on the dog and less dangerous than putting her under anesthesia to entirely remove the lump, which isn̵7;t always necessary unless the tumor proves to be cancerous.

    Cysts

    • Sometimes a bump can develop on your dog̵7;s skin that is neither a tag nor a tumor. These lumps, or cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that can develop almost anywhere on a dog̵7;s body and are usually non-threatening. They can grow to the point of bursting, and in those cases where a cyst appears to be increasing in size rapidly, your vet might recommend removing it. Typically cysts disappear on their own, so if it doesn̵7;t appear to bother the dog, no treatment is necessary. In any case of a peculiar growth, though, it is always a good idea to at least have your vet examine it.