We all love our pets, and anything suspicious can make us worry about their health. Especially if it is something uncommon – like a hard bump of the bridge of your dog’s nose. So, if you discover any such bumps – it is best that you visit a vet because, some bumps may be unharmful, some can be an indication of something much serious. You should consider it seriously if you observe a hard bump on the bridge of dog’s nose. As timely action can save a dog’s life.
A hard bump can be an indication of cancer, so it is best to keep track and ask for help.
Should I Be Worried About the Bump on My Dog’s Nose?
Yes, you should. It may be a false alarm but being safe is far better than being sorry. Many possibilities can play out once you take your dog to a vet. Because there are many types of bumps and it cannot be predicted which one your dog has, just by looking at it. Even your dog can develop a white bump on its lips which must be investigated properly.
Types Of Nose Bridge Bumps and Their Danger Level
Before making assumptions, there is a checklist that you should follow so the vet can make a good judgment. For example, when did the bump appear on your dog’s nose? Or did your dog bump his head on something?
Similarly, you should notice if your dog has had any behavioral changes since you noticed the bump or even before that. Some common changes can be loss of appetite, vomiting, or just lack of energy as a whole. All this information can help make a reliable judgment.
Now that we have discussed these things, let us talk about the type of bumps and lumps and their danger level. Please note that you should always visit a vet before making any judgment by yourself, this information is to help you out before you can get access to any vet.
Fatty Tumors
Fatty tumors are more common in older dogs that are more prone to diseases. Although these are more common around the ribs – fatty tumors can appear anywhere on your dog’s body even on the bridge of your dog’s nose. Moreover, you can also found them on their nose, paws, or face.
Warts
Warts are more commonly found in younger dogs and puppies. They are caused by a kind of virus but even if it is left untreated – in most cases, they go away on their own without any pain.
However, if your dog is older or has low immunity then you will have to visit a vet. The vet will treat the wart by removing it by surgery or any other anti-viral medications as it will be less invasive. So, your plan of action should be based on whether your dog is old or young.
Warts on dog’s nose bridge can also form hard bumps. It is also common and can be cured by itself if not then your dog’s immune system is not performing well. You should consult a vet and get relevant medications in case the low immune system causes the warts to grow to other parts of the face.
Cell Tumor
A hard bump on your dog’s nose can also be an indication of a mast cell tumor. Some dog breeds are more affected by this tumor for example – a boxer, beagle, or Labrador will be more prone to having a cell tumor. So, if your dog is any of this breed – go see a vet.
To identify them on the dog’s nose bridge, you can simply try to press if it is very hard bump then seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Sebaceous Cyst
A sebaceous cyst is more like a pimple. Imagine it as a white head. Similar to a white head, and it is filled with sebum. In most cases, it is harmless but (yes, there is always a BUT) – it can transform into a malignant tumor.
So on your routine visit to a vet make sure that you get this checked and most probably it wont be anything to be concerned about.
Why Do Dogs Develop Bumps on Their Nose?
Dogs, like humans or any other living things, can develop bumps or lumps on their nose for a number of reasons – for example, they can have a medical condition that has bumps as one of the symptoms.
On the other hand, aging dogs can also develop different types of lumps on their noses because of the age factor. However, if your dog develops a hard bump on the bridge of its nose – it is best to get it checked to rule out any harmful outcomes such as nasal cancer.
Is The Bump on My Dog’s Nose Cancer?
There are ways that you can check if your dog has a cancerous bump. You should visit the vet to find out if it starts to cause pain to your dog or grows in size. A cancerous bump can be hard and hard to move, unlike other bumps that are soft and easily movable.
However, it is hard to diagnose with just a glimpse, so let the professionals do that for you.
Can A Bump on My Dog’s Nose Be a Tumor?
Yes, a bump on your dog’s nose or any other part can be a tumor. Therefore, it is important to visit a vet as soon as you discover one. Especially if the lump is on the nose – researchers say that around 1 percent of the tumors in dogs account for nose tumors.
Moving on, there might be other symptoms that you need to look out for, here are a few listed below.
| Symptoms of nose tumors in dogs |
| Facial deformity |
| Nose bleeds |
| Eye discharge |
| Any seizures |
| Shortness of breath while doing the bare minimum |
| Sudden weight loss |
Are There Different Types of Dog Nose Tumors?
Yes, there are different types of tumors, they can be malignant (one that can spread to other parts of the body) or non-malignant (ones that cannot spread). Here is a list of dog nose tumors.
| Sarcoma | Sarcomas are tumors that appear in the epithelial tissues. They are malignant – but they are not harsh when they spread to the other sites. Sarcomas can travel through the bloodstream. They can be both, hard and soft in appearance and can cause swelling in the lymph nodes. |
| Carcinomas | Carcinomas also appear in the epithelial tissue and account for the most common nasal cancers in dogs. |
| Lipoma (benign tumors) | Yes, just how the name indicates. Lipomas or benign tumors are noncancerous. They are not at all harmful and develop in older dogs, right under their skin. You can get Lipomas removed surgically if they are causing any trouble such as lack of mobility. |
| Adenocarcinoma | Adenocarcinoma is a type of nasal cancer that occurs when too many cells are together in a nasal passage. It can happen to any dog, but larger dogs tend to be at more risk. Adenocarcinoma is also malignant so yes; they can spread to other passes although they are formed due to the glandular structures – they don’t need more of these to spread.
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| Squamous cell carcinoma | Squamous cell carcinoma occurs on the outer layers of the skin. They are visible on both sides of the nose and are one of the most common types of tumors in dogs. And Squamous cell carcinoma is also malignant. |
Can We Prevent Nasal Tumors in Dogs Especially on the Bridge?
It can be quite tricky to treat a hard bump on your dog’s nose.
No, there is no way (currently) to prevent nasal tumors in dogs. However, medicine is making waves across many kinds of research and soon, we will have a study on how to prevent dogs from having nasal tumors.
Well, there is one thing that you can do to save your dog from such diseases. You can be regular with vet visits and especially when you notice any such bumps or lumps on your dog.
What Can Cause Nose and Bridge Tumors in Dogs?
Well, on paper – cancer happens when cells grow at an abnormal rate. However, many triggers can cause it. Some of them are listed below.
Pollution
Yes, we made this earth worse for everyone. And it might come off as an overstretch but – pollution can cause tumors in dogs. So, if you are keeping your pet somewhere that they are exposed to harmful substances then it is time to move them away from there. For the record, yes, it can hurt you too.
Examples of such areas can be neighborhood around factories and industries.
Passive Smoking
If you are a smoker and you smoke around your pet, there are chances that it can develop nasal tumors because of passive smoking. All the smoke that is coming out of your or anybody else’s mouth is harmful and has carcinogens.
So, your dog will inhale all that from its nose and those carcinogens can lead to nasal tumors. Over time your dog may begin to develop bump on its nose bridge.
Genetics
If your dog develops a nasal tumor – it can very well be a byproduct of its genes. Just like us humans, genes can be both lucky and unlucky – a gene can carry this disease onto your dog.
So before adopting a pet it is always a good idea to inquire about the parents of the pup. It can reveal a lot about what future problems the pup may develop. Even examination of the pup siblings from different litters can be helpful in determining the probabilities of developing any nose bridge bumps in the future.
Are Nasal or Bridge Tumors Treatable in Dogs?
Yes and no, it depends on the type and severity of the tumor. Here are the treatments that are used to treat nasal tumors in dogs.
Radiation
Because nasal tumors are located in a sensitive area, surgery is not the best option. Therefore, radiation therapy is a preferred treatment by vets. A CFRT can help treat the tumor in ways that are non-invasive yet more effective.
BUT there is a catch – the radiation can weaken the immune system of your dog and cause damage to the tissue that surrounds the nasal cavity.
However, to battle this compilation, radiation is done with smaller intervals to give rest to the dog and the nasal tissue.
Pain Management
Among other things, pain management is something that your dog needs the most. Nasal cancer can sometimes cause excruciating pain that can affect the quality of your dog’s life.
Therefore, the vets will prescribe treatments or medications to curb or manage the pain especially around the nose’s bridge by investigating how hard the bump has become.
Should I Visit the Vet If My Dog Has a Bump on Nose’s Bridge?
Yes, you should visit the vet if your dog has a hard bump on the bridge of its nose or a soft one perhaps. All bumps can have different outcomes, they can be cancerous. Therefore, it is best to visit a vet as soon as you notice the bump.
To Sum It Up
Hard bumps on the bridge of your dog’s nose can be an indication of nasal cancer in your dog. However, you should look for symptoms such as nasal bleeding and lack of energy before coming up to any conclusion.
And, if the bump hardens and causes discomfort, it is best that you visit a vet and find out what type of bump it is and what are the treatments for it. And while you wait for the appointment, make sure that you keep track of the bump and check if any other bumps are appearing anywhere else.
For the existing ones, you can mark them up with a sharpie to check if they have grown or receded (luckily).