Lump on puppy' s shoulder

[seattlesetters]

I have a four month old English Setter puppy that has a rather significant-sized lump on her shoulder (about the size of a large marble). She has a scab about an inch away that looks like it is covering a puncture wound that appears to be the result of her annoying one of the older dogs.

I am thinking this is probably an infected lymph node. Can anyone help with this or suggest a course of treatment? Is it something that could become serious or something that a dog' s extraordinary immune system should overcome in a short time without the use of antibiotics?

[uplandchessies]

I' m not a vet, but it is something I would definitely keep an eye on. Better yet, I would take the dog to the vet.

[MA Jay]

Seattle, sounds similar to what 1 of our GSP had when I was younger. The marble sized, hard lump on the shoulder was caused by getting stuck on a nail we think .. as there was a small scar from a puncture wound. The " lump" was caused by a few muscle strands actually being cut on his shoulder and like an elastic retracting without pressure they caused a small lump that calcified into a cyst sort of. We took him to the vet who told us it was perfectly normal and wouldn' t effect him poorly, and it never did hurt him. We were told to just keep an eye on it and if it grew he would remove it, but it never grew or became smaller.. and it never bothered him.

Sounds like your dog may have a similar issue considering the puncture scar nearby.

[wvvet]

Not a lymph node. There isn' t one located in this area. The closest one is the lower neck region.

Has she been vaccinated? Vaccine granulomas will feel like a marble under the skin. Since the shoulder area is the most common site of vaccination, it is common to see them in this location. Other causes include:
1. granuloma - caused by something else, like a puncture from a tooth or other object.
2. hematoma - pocket of blood usu. secondary to trauma
3. cyst - a fluid filled structure usually involving the hair follicle.
4. seroma - think blister.
5. abscess - i.e. infected wound.
6. tumor - unlikely in this age group.

I would keep an eye on it. Its probably nothing to worry about. But if breaks any of the following three rules, have it looked at by your vet.

1. increasing in size rapidly
2. bothering you or the dog
3. busts open and starts draining

[seattlesetters]

Thanks for the help, gentlemen.

I am happy to report that the lump has noticeably decreased in size over the past couple of days without the use of antibiotics. It never did bother the pup.

[trkymercanary]

My hunting dog also has a lump on his shoulder blade. we took him to the vet and all it is is a cyst. But my dogs cyst never did decrease in size. i cannot explain this, i would also keep a very close eye on this.