A Lump Near the Spot Where a Dog Got Her Shots

A firm, painless lump that appears a week or so after vaccines, near where the shots were given, is most likely a vaccine reaction. The body's immune response causes a small area of swelling under the skin. These lumps are common and usually shrink and disappear on their own within a few weeks.

Leave it alone, don't squeeze it, and tell your vet so they can note it in her record. Measure it and take a photo so you can see whether it's shrinking.

Many vets follow a simple rule for lumps at injection sites: have it checked if it is still there 3 months after the shot, if it grows larger than about 2 cm (a little under an inch), or if it is still getting bigger a month after the shot. Go sooner if it becomes hot, painful or red, starts draining, or she seems unwell.

See lumps and bumps on dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.