Our question this week was:

My Italian greyhound recently developed a lump that is not perfectly round, more of an oval shape and about the size of a quarter. It is located on her left side towards the end of her rib cage. She is not in any pain and is not acting any different. She is only 1 ½ years old. The only recent changes with her have been a rabies shot she got and she was boarded at the vet for a week a few weeks ago. Any ideas?

Desiree Harman


Answer


Hi – thank you for your email. Goodness, it could really be anything from an abscess, bite wound, hematoma, or a tumor.

It does not sound like a typical location for where she would get a rabies shot so it is probably not a reaction to the shot.

She is a little young to get a tumor,a type of tumor called histiocytomas can occur in young animals.

Another possibility is that the lump could be the beginning of an abscess and if it is, it will probably get bigger and more painful with time.

Usually bite wounds are also painful and you said she is not painful.

A hematoma is basically a big swollen bruise that can occur is she sustained some sort of injury. It may not be painful and may go away and get smaller over the next few days to a week. If you notice any other bruising, that is important and you should have her immediately checked out by your vet.

An article that might be helpful to you is on our Petplace.com is "Skin Growth, Lump, Swelling or Mass in Dogs".

If you are concerned, the safest thing is to have her lump checked by your veterinarian.


Best of luck!


Dr. Jon





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