Small Firm Wart-Like Growth on a Terrier's Tail
by Maria
(Philadelphia)
Reader Question
My 7 year old mixed breed male terrier has a 0.5 cm flesh colored round growth on the lateral aspect of his tail. It is wart-like and firm without discharge. He does not try to bite or scratch the area. The growth is slightly bigger than it was when I first noticed it about 4 weeks ago. Otherwise he is healthy without changes to his appetite, behavior, skin and coat.
Answer from Our Team
Many small, firm, wart-like growths like this are benign, but because it has grown over 4 weeks, it's worth having it checked rather than just watched. Common possibilities include a wart, sebaceous adenoma or cyst.
Measure it and take a photo every couple of weeks. A good rule from veterinary oncologists is "see something, do something": any lump the size of a pea (1 cm) or larger that has been there for a month should have a needle aspirate or biopsy. Mast cell tumors can look wart-like, so a quick needle test is worthwhile now.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
