Golf Ball-Sized Lump on Dog’s Neck – Top 3 Reasons Why

Here are a few common reasons that may explain why a dog would suddenly develop a lump on his neck that is the size of a golf ball.

1. Lipomas or fatty lumps in dogs

The golf-ball sized lump on the dog’s neck might be a lipoma. They are considered a common type of skin tumor and may suddenly develop when fat cells build up. These lumps could appear in various parts of the dog’s body including the neck, chest, and abdomen. Lipomas aren’t cancerous but may interfere with your dog’s normal behaviors if they get too big.

2. Dog has swollen lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are located in various part of the dog’s body. The neck is one area where the lymph node could be felt (referred to as submandibular lymph nodes). The golf-ball sized lump may have formed because these lymph nodes are affected by swelling. Lymph nodes can swell for a variety of reasons, including upper respiratory infection and dental diseases.

3. Dogs with cervical abscess

The golf ball-sized lump might be a cervical abscess. This typically happens after a dog swallows a stick or any other foreign objects that easily splinters. Abscesses are usually firm to touch and may also cause redness around the dog’s neck area. It’s important that you don’t try to drain the abscess on your own as doing so may open up the opportunity for bacteria to enter your dog’s body.

What to do if your dog has a lump on his neck

We strongly recommend calling the vet. They may ask you to bring the dog in for further diagnostics. While we don’t want to scare anyone, the golf ball-sized lump could also be a sign of something cancerous like lymphoma so it’s best to have the dog checked as soon as possible.