Jan 13 2009
For the hundreds of you who just noticed your new pup has a “lump”
So, your pup was just at the vet’s office this week, got a clean bill of health, and now suddenly you are noticing on his upper shoulder or thigh a lump. -gulp- A lump on a puppy?
Most likely, what you are seeing is what is often seen in pups anywhere from immediately to 3 weeks post-vaccines. It is a generalized local reaction to the vaccine, nothing harsh- just basically a type of swelling/ inflammation where the vaccine was given that often feels like a fatty tumor. It sometimes does not appear for up to 3 weeks after the vaccine, and should not last longer than 3 weeks once it does. It also can move around slightly under the skin, and may be a few inches over from where you see it in a week, or may have moved already from where the vaccine was given.
If you see one, keep your eye on it for any signs of becoming larger or harder, or bothering your pup (sometimes mild itching occurs); otherwise, I’d say it’s safe to not worry, this isn’t uncommon, especially in young dogs with extra skin still to grow into.
Christine, LVT
