Large lump on my dog's right shoulder

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I’m in a really worrying situation and I’d love to get your thoughts, especially from any professionals if there are any here.

My dog turns nine in a month; he’s been with us since he was a puppy and has never really had any health issues. But it all started at the beginning of March when I noticed he’d hurt his right paw between two of his "toes", so to speak; it was bleeding and had got infected. I went to see my vet who explained it was a nodule (a sort of skin lump) that had formed following a minor injury. He was then put on antibiotics and steroids for a week. The following week I went back and she told me that we just had to wait now, that it would eventually go away on its own after a while. Then, just when everything seemed to be getting better, I realised my dog had a large lump, almost the size of an orange, on his right shoulder – on the same leg as the nodule. I went back to see her and she said there could be several explanations: a tumour, an abscess, a haematoma, a swollen lymph node, etc. He was put back on steroids and the following week, according to the vet, there was a slight decrease, but personally, I can’t see any difference. Plus, I’ve realised from looking at old photos on my phone that the lump was already there the week after we found the nodule, meaning since the beginning of March.

Could you give me your opinions? Has anyone else been in the same boat? And are there any vets among us who might have some answers?

Thanks everyone.

Translated from French
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8 answers
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    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    At the end of the day, any suspicious lumps or bumps should always be removed and sent for a biopsy! If the worst comes to the worst and it is a malignant tumour, the quicker you act, the better the chance of a recovery. And if it turns out to be benign, all the better! Better safe than sorry. Apart from a few minor bits and pieces, these growths never really go away on their own. Unless, of course, it’s just a bit of bruising, an insect bite, or something like that...
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    At the end of the day, any suspicious lumps or bumps should always be removed and sent for a biopsy! If the worst comes to the worst and it is a malignant tumour, the quicker you act, the better the chance of a recovery. And if it turns out to be benign, all the better! Better safe than sorry. Apart from a few minor bits and pieces, these growths never really go away on their own. Unless, of course, it’s just a bit of bruising, an insect bite, or something like that...
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Thanks so much everyone for your replies, anyway as soon as I have any news I'll keep you posted

    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    You need to check the size of the lump and have it analysed... and only a vet can really do that during a consultation.

    As your vet said, it could be anything... or nothing at all. Yes, a second opinion might be useful; I’d do the same myself.

    You need to find the root cause. It really winds me up when vets just hand out meds without knowing what’s actually causing the issue; they’re just trying to mask the symptoms without looking any deeper.

    Hang in there.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Jador, yes, the vet did mention it, but she preferred to wait and see if the meds were working before doing a biopsy.

    The lump isn't painful for him; it's quite firm and very mobile. When he lies down, it sometimes shifts up towards his neck.

    Anyway, I'm going to book an appointment with a different vet on Monday to get a second opinion and have the biopsy done to find out exactly what this lump is.

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    @Mel1 I know, but maybe a vet has seen a case like this before. We only noticed this lump once it got to this size, not before, because it isn't on the skin but under it, near the muscle, which is why it wasn't visible until it grew quite large.
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    Jador
    Jador Icon representing the flag French
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    Didn’t they suggest a biopsy or an ultrasound? Without further investigations, there’s no way to know for sure... Is your dog in any pain? Just sticking with steroids seems a bit inadequate. Steroids mask the pain and symptoms but they don’t actually treat the cause. I’d definitely see another vet for a second opinion.
    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    No vet on this forum is going to give you a diagnosis. It could be any number of things, just as your vet told you. And your vet has actually examined your dog...

    I have absolutely no idea what it could be, but whatever it is, it wouldn't have appeared overnight.

    I struggle to understand how you managed to miss a lump "the size of an orange" on your dog's shoulder ^^

    I’d notice even a tiny spot on mine, so something that huge...

    You've only just noticed it now, but given the size of the thing, it’s likely been there for several months. If it's a tumour, growth is usually quite slow; if it's an abscess, it grows much faster.

    In any case, only your vet will be able to give you a proper diagnosis.

    They might need to do a biopsy to identify the lump.

    Translated from French

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