Black bump on dog's tummy

[bock]

I noticed about two days ago that my chihauhau mix had a lump on her tummy, near the base of her right leg. It is probably about the size of the end of my thumb and seems to have grown a little. This morning I noticed a thick, black scab had formed over it. She licks it almost constantly, and it is sensitive to the touch. She just finished tearing off and eating (ew) the scab, and now there is just pink flesh exposed. There doesn't appear to be any fluid in it though. I though for now I should clean it , put neosporn on it, and try to get a bandaid to stay on. Any suggestions to what this could be? Does she need a visit to the vet? It is starting to worry me. Thanks.

 

[RareBreedFancier]

I vote for the vet, that is what I'd do. Two things jump to mind:

1. Something in there, grass seed would be likely here but could be anything. I'd expect infection or fluid though if this was the case but not always.

2. Don't want to scare you but fast growing lumps can be bad.
How old is she?
Is her belly skin pink? (as in not dark skin) Does she spend a lot of time belly up in the sun?
Is she desexed? Has she ever been in season?
Is she or has she been over weight?
My old lab has fast growing fatty tumours due to age and having been masivly over weight when I rescued her.
My SIL's dog was never desexed and has breast cancer.
Both these presented as fast growing lumps and SIL's dog did have some scabs.

It could be nothing serious but it is obviously bothering her and it's better to be safe than sorry.
I really hope it's nothing serious and she's fine. I know how worried I'd be.

 

[thebritt]

I 2nd the vet visit - you wouldn't want to feel like something should have been done earlier - I hope it's nothing serious

 

[Brindlebtch]

Vet.

 

[Roy]

It's probably a tumor if the dog is getting older, most can be removed by a vet...take him to the Vet...

 

[chickerdoodle]

Yep, I also say take her to the veterinarian--never take a chance on a lump as you could be taking a chance with her life. If you spend $50 and find it's no big deal that will be $50 well spent.

 

[bock]

Thank you. I think we will be going to the vet. Let's see, she's 4.5 years old, her belly is pink and brown, but in that spot it is brown, she was spayed by the time she was 5-6 months old, I don't think her stomach get's that much sun exposure, and I wouldn't really say she's overweight, but the's not thin either, so I guess she's just somewhere in between. Today she hasn't been licking it as much today, and the scab hasn't grown back. She has sat on thorns and gotten abscesses before, but they looked different than this. I will clean it and look at it more closely right now.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
Hi - Just curious - whereabouts in NorCal are you?

 

[bock]

Quote:
Hi - Just curious - whereabouts in NorCal are you?

I'm in Red Bluff, about 30 miles away from Redding.