Small Light-Colored Lump on an Older Jack Russell
by Ken
(vineland nj)
Reader Question
My Jack Russell is a female, 11 years old, in good health she has had little lumps since the age of about four. one of them I think she licked it away but now she has a lump on her left arm that has been there for approx. three months it does not seem to get bigger It looks just like a deer tick swollen up from blood. the color is light
Answer from Our Team
A small lump that looks like a swollen tick and hasn't changed for 3 months is often benign, such as a cyst, sebaceous adenoma or skin tag. But you can't tell by looking.
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. A quick needle test at her next visit will usually tell you whether it's safe to leave alone.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
