If your pitbull has bumps under her fur, don't worry, it's a relatively common issue.
These bumps can be caused by skin allergies, which can be triggered by food, environmental factors, or even contact with certain substances.
One common skin allergy in dogs is atopy, which can cause bumps, itching, and redness.
Your vet can perform a skin test to determine the exact cause of your dog's bumps.
In some cases, bumps under the fur can be caused by fleas, which can lead to skin irritation and infection.
Regular grooming and flea control measures can help prevent this issue.
If you suspect that your dog's bumps are caused by allergies, your vet may recommend a hypoallergenic diet to help alleviate symptoms.
This can be a great solution, especially if your dog is experiencing skin issues due to food allergies.
In addition to a hypoallergenic diet, your vet may also recommend medicated shampoos or topical treatments to help soothe and calm your dog's skin.
These treatments can be especially helpful if your dog has a severe skin reaction.
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Causes of Bumps and Lumps
As a pitbull owner, it's natural to be concerned about those bumps under your dog's fur. Most of them are harmless, but some can be caused by infections or underlying conditions. It's always best to have a veterinarian examine and diagnose any changes to your dog's skin.
Some common causes of bumps and lumps on puppies include warts, skin tags, button tumors, and abscesses. These are usually non-cancerous and can be treated with wart ointment or other skin treatments.
In rare cases, vaccination site swelling can turn into a malignant tumor. If a lump lasts more than a week, it's a good idea to keep a watchful eye on it and bring your pup in for a biopsy if it continues past three months, is more than an inch in diameter, or continues to grow or change shape.
As your pitbull ages, you may start to notice more bumps and lumps on her skin. Some common signs of a potentially serious lump include rapid growth, a smooth, round shape, black or ulcerated surfaces, and a lump that doesn't move easily between the skin and the body.
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Here's a quick checklist to help you identify potential red flags:
- Speed: if a lump looks bigger in only a month it’s growing rapidly
- Shape: smooth, round lumps whether on or under the skin are usually worse
- Appearance: black, pink or ulcerated surfaces are more worrying
- Feel: subcutaneous lumps should move easily between the skin and the body
- Position: watch out for lumps on the head, legs and tail (I’ll explain later)
Common Bumps and Lumps
Pitbulls can develop various bumps and lumps on their skin, some of which are harmless while others can be a sign of a more serious issue.
Most common bumps and lumps on puppies include warts, skin tags, button tumors, and abscesses.
Typically, vaccination site swelling subsides within a week, but in rare cases, it can turn into a malignant tumor.
Lipomas are soft, round fatty tumors that appear as lumps of flesh beneath the skin and are usually found in older dogs and dogs who are overweight.
Lipomas are benign, meaning they are non-cancerous, and can vary in size from quite small to quite large.
If you think your Pitbull has a lipoma, you can take it to the vet so they can verify.
Mast cell tumors are cancerous tumors that can develop for a variety of reasons and have the potential to be dangerous.
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Sebaceous cysts are a result of blocked oil glands on your dog's skin and can come to a head and pop, but it's essential not to try to pop them yourself.
Papules are small bumps that may occur on your dog's skin as the result of being exposed to irritants, allergens, or minor infections.
A good rule of thumb is to have any new lumps or bumps examined by a veterinarian, especially if they're hard or firm to the touch, irregularly shaped, or changing in size, texture, or color.
Here are some key characteristics to look out for:
It's essential to keep an eye out for these lumps and bumps and have your vet examine them if you notice any unusual changes or characteristics.
When to Worry About a Dog's Skin Bump?
If you notice a lump that's hard or firm to the touch, it's best to have your vet take a look at it right away.
Any bumps that are irregularly shaped should be examined by your vet immediately.
A change in size, texture, or color of an existing lump or bump is a good reason to have your vet take a look.
Bumps that ooze fluid need to be checked out by your vet right away.
Dealing with the possibility of tumors or infections can be costly and emotionally stressful, so it's always better to err on the side of caution and have your vet check out any new lumps or bumps.
Canine Acne
Canine Acne is a common skin condition in dogs, characterized by red bumps or pustules on the skin of the muzzle and lips.
Dogs with mild cases of acne often have red bumps or pustules on their skin, while more severe cases can lead to generalized swelling, bleeding wounds, or scabs on the face.
Some breeds, such as Boxers, English Bulldogs, and Great Danes, are more prone to canine acne due to genetic predisposition.
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Trauma to the skin of the chin or muzzle can trigger canine acne by causing hairs to break off near the skin's surface, leading to inflammation and rupture of the hair follicle.
In some cases, acne may be associated with underlying skin conditions, such as food allergies or environmental allergies, which can be managed by your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian can diagnose acne based on clinical appearance, but further diagnostics like skin biopsies or bacterial cultures may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
The most common treatment for canine acne is topical benzoyl peroxide, which helps to flush out the hair follicle and reduce bacterial contamination.
In mild cases, benzoyl peroxide alone may be sufficient to resolve canine acne, while more severe cases may require long-term treatment to decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
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Home Remedies and Treatment
If your pitbull has bumps under her fur, it's essential to resist the temptation to "pop" the pimples, as this can increase the likelihood of hair follicles rupturing under the skin, leading to worsening inflammation.
You can help decrease your dog's acne by identifying and preventing causes of trauma to her muzzle or chin, such as using the muzzle to root around in the dirt, eating from a plastic bowl with rough edges, or scratching at the face.
Topical benzoyl peroxide is often used to treat canine acne, helping to flush out the hair follicle and reduce bacterial contamination. In mild cases, benzoyl peroxide alone may be sufficient to resolve canine acne.
Some patients may respond to a topical antibiotic, such as mupirocin, which decreases bacterial counts on the surface of the skin. If the lesions are infected, your veterinarian may prescribe an antibiotic for the skin.
Here are some common lumps or bumps found on puppies:
If you notice a lump on your puppy that lasts more than a week or is over an inch in diameter, it's essential to have it examined by a veterinarian.
Allergies and Skin Issues
Pitbulls are prone to developing bumps on their skin after having an allergic reaction. The allergic reaction could be caused by something that your dog eats or something else in their environment.
If your Pitbull is experiencing bumps on their skin, try changing their diet plan to see if this eliminates the bumps. If this doesn't work, follow them outside and see what sort of things they may be interacting with outdoors.
If you think your Pitbull is having an allergic reaction but you can't figure out the cause, visit your vet. They can help determine the cause of the reaction and recommend a course of treatment.
Dry skin can also cause bumps on your Pitbull's skin. If you notice that your dog has flaky skin, red skin, or bare patches of skin, their skin may be dry and irritated.
Serious Conditions
If your Pitbull develops an abscess, it's essential to seek veterinary care right away. Abscesses are painful and can become serious if left untreated.
Abscesses are caused by infection and are characterized by a buildup of pus, making the affected area hot to the touch. Your vet may recommend lancing the abscess or administering oral antibiotics.
Mast cell tumors, on the other hand, are cancerous growths that can develop for various reasons. These tumors can be solid and come in different shapes and sizes.
Abscesses
Abscesses are swollen tissue that can form around bug bites, animal bites, infected glands, and other types of sores in dogs.
They're usually caused by an infection and can be painful for your dog. If not treated early, they may burst, which is painful for your dog.
Antibiotics may be required to treat the infection, and it's essential to have your dog seen by a veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment.
Abscesses in dogs are just like abscesses in people, they're caused by infection and always require treatment by a veterinarian.
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They're painful for your dog and usually hot to the touch due to the buildup of pus in the abscess itself.
Depending on the severity and location of your dog's abscess, your vet will want to either lance the abscess or put your dog on oral antibiotics.
If dealt with quickly, abscesses tend to be nothing to worry about, but if left untreated, they can go on to cause systemic infection.
Fatty Growth
A fatty growth, also known as a lipoma, is a common lump under the skin of older dogs that's actually a benign tumour of fat cells.
It's usually found on the chest or abdomen, and can take 6 months to grow big enough to notice.
A fine needle aspiration, or FNA, is the only way to confirm a lipoma, so don't assume a lump is a lipoma without a vet's diagnosis.
Most lipomas don't need treatment, but they may be removed if they occur in difficult positions like the legs or armpits.
I've seen some lipomas get huge on younger dogs, so it's a good idea to remove them if they'll outgrow their skin in a normal lifespan.
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Papilloma or Wart
Warts in dogs can be caused by viral infections, response to vaccinations, or simply be part of the aging process.
Only a vet can determine the type of wart or warts your dog has and develop a treatment plan if needed.
Warts are usually harmless, but it's always best to have your vet take a look.
A Pitbull may develop warts after coming in contact with another dog and contracting a virus, specifically the papillomavirus.
This virus is very contagious among dogs, so if your Pitbull comes into contact with an infected individual, it may develop clusters of bumps or warts on its skin.
In most cases, the warts will go away after a month or two of infection.
Pitbull owners can visit their vet for treatment of papillomavirus, but treatment is not necessary as the warts are usually harmless.
Warts can appear on a dog's skin, often on the face and head, and are caused by a papillomavirus, just like in humans.
Dogs that get warts often go to dog parks or day care, where they may come into contact with the virus.
A biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a papilloma or wart, but their classic feathery appearance is hard to mistake.
Warts should go away by themselves after a few months, so treatment is usually not necessary.
Mast Cell Tumors
Mast Cell Tumors are cancerous tumors that can develop for a variety of reasons.
They can be bumpy or oblong in shape, and are usually solid when touched.
Pitbulls with mast cell tumors should be taken to a vet so they can assess the impact of the tumor.
Removing the growth from your dog can prevent cancer from spreading, which is a crucial step to take if your Pitbull develops a mast cell tumor.
Hematomas
A lump may form on your dog's body due to a hematoma, which is essentially a bruise. This can happen after trauma to a specific area.
Hematomas are usually nothing to worry about on their own, but it's essential to get your vet to check the area to ensure no further damage occurred during the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do allergy bumps look like on dogs?
Allergy bumps on dogs appear as small, raised red bumps (papules) or larger, itchy patches (urticaria or hives) usually less than 1 cm in diameter. If you suspect your dog has allergy bumps, learn how to identify and manage the symptoms to provide relief.
Sources
- Dog Skin Lumps & Bumps: Signs, Symptoms, Causes (akc.org)
- Should I Worry About My Dog's Lump? (leesvilleanimalhospital.com)
- Acne in Dogs (vcahospitals.com)
- Why Does My Pitbull Have Bumps On His Skin? (pitbulls.org)
- Help! Is it a Lump, Cyst or Growth on my Dog? (walkervillevet.com.au)
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