Your dog may have a variety of lumps and bumps on its body. It is important to know what the lump is before you can decide how to remove it or if it can be left alone. Kristin Boyce, DVM, states that all bumps especially in older dogs should be examined.
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Skin Tags
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Skin tags may be called fibropapillomas, acrochordons, skin polyps or other names. Most skin tags are benign but those around mouth and lips should be checked.
Diagnosis
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Mike Richards, DVM, says that some cancers such as keratoacanthomas and melanomas look like skin tags. Therefore it is important for your veterinarian to determine if the lump is actually a skin tag or something more serious.
Freezing
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Removal of skin tags is generally not necessary unless they are rubbing or being irritated. Freezing off problem tags can be done if your vet is confident it is a benign skin tag.
Skin tag doubts
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If there is any question about the lump, freezing destroys the entire lump and does not leave material for a laboratory to examine. If there is any doubt about the skin tag, your vet will surgically remove it to submit for a pathology exam.
Warning
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If a lump diagnosed as a skin tag has any changes in color or size, take your dog back to the veterinarian immediately, as it could be diagnosed as something more serious, such as cancer.
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