The “Wait and See” vs. “Check it Now” Guide.
It is very common to find a new bump while petting your dog or cat. While many are benign (like fatty lipomas or skin tags), others can be aggressive.
Follow the “One Month/One Inch” rule:
- If a bump is larger than one inch (about the size of a pea).
- If it has been there for more than one month.
- If it is growing rapidly, changing shape, or turning red.
The Bottom Line: You can’t tell what a lump is just by looking at it. We recommend a Fine Needle Aspirate —a quick, simple test where we collect a few cells to look at under the microscope to give you peace of mind.