My dog has a skin tag - should I be worried?
Answered by our veterinary team
Skin tags (fibrovascular papillomas or acrochordons) in dogs are generally benign growths. They're soft, fleshy, and hang off the skin by a thin stalk - similar to skin tags in humans. They're more common in middle-aged to older dogs and can appear anywhere on the body.
When a skin tag is probably fine
It's soft, moves freely, is the same colour as surrounding skin or slightly pigmented, grows very slowly or not at all, and doesn't bother your dog.
When you should get it checked promptly
- It changes size, shape, or colour rapidly - It bleeds without being traumatised - It ulcerates or develops a crusty surface - Multiple new lumps appear in a short time - Your dog is excessively licking or chewing at it - It's located where it could be caught on something and traumatised
The reason veterinary evaluation matters is that other growths - particularly mast cell tumours - can look deceptively similar to benign skin tags but behave very differently. Mast cell tumours are the most common malignant skin tumour in dogs and early detection significantly improves outcomes. A vet can perform a quick fine needle aspirate to identify cell type in minutes.
Never attempt to remove a skin tag at home - even if it appears benign.
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