my dog has a strange lump

Question
I came home today and while i was petting my dog, i felt a hard lump on her back, near the spine, and closer to the tail than the neck. It is not too big, but you can definetly feel it. It is about the size of a grape, or a cherry. I don't see any changes in her behavior and she didn't seem to be in pain when i touched it, but i still have concerns that it might be cancer. Could it be harmless? What should i do?

Answer
Hi Christine!

Yes, it could be harmless. It could be what is called a sebaceous cyst.  Sebaceous cysts most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form. A sac of cells is created into which a protein called keratin is secreted.

They are usually slow- growing, painless, freely movable lumps beneath the skin. Occasionally, however, a cyst will become inflamed and tender.  These are not dangerous, but you may want to have it checked out just to make sure, especially if it grows, bleeds, or changes shape.

God Bless,
Becky