[Buster]

New to the forum. Our Boxer "Buster" is 8 years old and has a growth on his back. Vets in the past have said it was nothing more than a mole and that we should keep our eyes on it. In the past 6 months it has doubled in size and looks nasty. We are planning a visit to the vet soon. Please help with any info. Please see attached photo.

 

[HannaBanana]

With an lump or bump IMO best to get it removed esp if its growing.  Welcome to the forum and good luck with everything.  I am sure Sharon will have better advice!

 

[GabysDaddy]

Welcome to the forum, If the lump is growing, oozing fluid and scabbing over, IMO I would get that thing removed asap....I also had some of these removed off my previous fawn boxer girl (now waiting at the bridge), and I think she was about 7yrs old at the time...she pulled through the surgery no problem...good luck to you and Buster!

 

[PhoenixsMom]

As a rule moles don't grow or enlarge. I would go see the vet about geting a biopsy done of it.

 

[Buster]

Thank you! Could this be cancer? What does cancer look like on boxers?

 

[PhoenixsMom]

I don't know much about skin conditions concerning dogs.
However from being in the health care field "moles" that grow like that are usually tumors - malignant or possibly cancerous.
That's why it might be an idea to go get a biopsy done to see in fact what it is.
It could be a cyst as well...I'm not to sure hopefully Sharon will chime in on this one.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

Not sure what that is but Sharon or some of the others may be able to help.  Welcome to the forum and hope it is nothing serious.

 

[Guest]

I know that boxers are prone to skin tumors...not sure if the ones they are prone to are cancerous or not...

 

[sharonL]

From looking at the picture, my first guess would be a melanoma.  There is no way to clinically tell (by looking) if they are malignant or not.  It would have to be tested.  If it were on my dog and it were growing (which moles/warts do not) I would certainly say to have it surgically removed. Even if it is not malignant, the peace of mind is worth it!

 

[Skylar]

My old girl, Skylar, had something similar to that around the same age but it never oozed and never got any bigger than the diameter of a pencil eraser.  I didn't get it removed and every six months the vet checked it and said it wasn't anything to worry about.

 

[JayJay]

For me it looks like a wart elder boxer often have problems with.
Problems is the wrong word because most time it is only a blemish.

If they are not growing and if there is no risk of hurting these warts
most time it is better to do nothing but watch them if they are growing or
if they stop growing when they have the size of a big pea.
Often if you remove one of them there is growing another one ...

This dog is 8 years to and has a lot of these warts all over the body ...

 

[Buster]

Thanks everyone. For years the vet has looked at it and said not to worry. In the past it wasn't that big, about the size of a pencil eraser. Now the thing is huge and I feel like we should name it! The skin is soft around the area and it doesn't seem to bother him at all...it's just ugly. It seems to be getting bigger and recently it looks like he might of scratched it on something and it has scabbed up. Here is a face to go with the "wart".

 

[Barbs2Ks]

And what a handsome face it is.

 

[Skylar]

Aww, he is so handsome!

 

[Nalasmama2321]

Thank you for sharing this! my boxer has had one for a couple years it dont grow or ooze I was so worried but your comment made me feel a lot better. Thank you!