What are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are a type of growth comprised of fibrous tissue that can appear as a single or multiple lump or bump. This connective tissue is made up of collagen proteins, and is essential in the formation of such specialized tissues as bone and cartilage, as well as provides the connective support for the various organs and systems in the body. While some skin tags are considered to be benign cancers, termed fibromas, most are deemed non-cancerous, and can be referred to by several names. These include acrochordons, fibrovascular papillomas, collagenous hamartoma, hyperplastic or hypertrophic scar, and fibroepithelial polyp.
Just like their human owners, dogs can develop small skin lumps on the surface or just under their skin. These skin tags often appear as a dog ages, and though they can be unsightly, they are quite harmless. Very often, these growths are connected to the body by a stalk-like tissue.
Symptoms of Skin Tags in Dogs
Skin tags grow slowly and can take a long time to be noticeable. They are located on the skin, or just under the skin, and can vary in size and appearance. While harmless, they can cause distress if they grow too large or in a location that compromises your dog’s normal daily activity, or if they become damaged, in which case they can bleed and possibly become infected. Signs your dog may have a skin tag include:
- Stalk-like growths
- Growths with a wart-like surface
- Single or multiple growths
- Growths that include hair follicles
- Flattened plaque-like growths
- Growths that can bleed if damaged
- Secondary infections of growths
Types
Skin tags are often referred to as hamartomas, which are described as a nodule of redundant tissue. Two types of these are:
Fibroadnexal Hamartomas – Also called collagenous hamartomas, these are the common skin tags seen in many dogs. Often, these are hairless growths, and form near the lower limb regions and pressure points.
Follicular Hamartomas – This is a type of fibroadnexal hamartoma, and more rare in dogs. These growths are often found in multiples, and can be characterized by flattened masses with thick hairs.
Causes of Skin Tags in Dogs
Skin tags are composed of fibrous tissues made up of collagen proteins. This fibrous tissue is a normal component of the body, and creates the supportive connections and tissues that hold the organs and body systems into place. The cells responsible for the production of the fibers that makes this connective tissue are called fibroblasts, and if these cells are overactive, this can cause an abundance of fibrous tissue, resulting in a slow-growing mass near or on the skin.
Though skin tags can appear on any breed of dog, there seems to be an increased risk in larger breeds. Skin tags more commonly appear in dogs that are middle-aged and older.
Diagnosis of Skin Tags in Dogs
If you see a growth on your dog, it will be vitally important to determine if such a growth is a harmless skin tag, or if it is a tumor or other growth that is signaling a more serious problem, such as cancer. While it is common to see growths appear on aging dogs, monitoring certain factors can be helpful to you and your veterinarian when making a determination about your dog’s condition. Once you see a bump or lump on or under the skin, take notes on the appearance, size and location of the bump. Taking pictures with an object of a fixed size next to it, such as a coin or ruler, can help to determine growth when compared to a later picture. Never use scissors or a razor to remove any hair near the growth, but instead, use electric clippers or a beard trimmer to prevent damage to the growth.
If you notice certain characteristics about the growth, you should not delay in seeking a medical opinion. These can include a rapidly growing lump, a dark colored growth, or a bump near your dog’s ear, nose, mouth, or mammary glands. Other symptoms concurrent with the growth can also cause alarm, such as changes in appetite, weight and energy levels, signs of discomfort and pain, or vomiting and diarrhea.
Be sure to tell your veterinarian details of all symptoms you’ve noticed, including any changes you’ve seen in the growth. Your vet will examine your dog and evaluate the lump. A fine needle aspirate may be performed to collect a sample to analyze. Usually, a biopsy is recommended to determine if the growth is benign or malignant, the examination of which can confirm a diagnosis of a skin tag.
Treatment of Skin Tags in Dogs
While some skin tags can shrink in size over time, most of them will remain unless they are surgically removed. Surgery to remove these growths is optional, as often skin tags cause no harm to your dog. However, removal can be recommended in certain cases, such as to confirm a diagnosis with a biopsy, or if the size or location of the growth is causing physical problems, pain, or secondary infections.
Another method of removal is through cryosurgery. Nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen is used to destroy the unwanted tissue by freezing it. The tissue then falls off or dissolves within four weeks. This procedure can be attractive for those dogs who are at an increased risk of complications due to anesthesia, as only a mild local anesthetic may be needed. The process is only temporarily painful during the freezing with no pain during recovery. Sometimes, the first treatment is not sufficient and may be repeated within two to three weeks.
Recovery of Skin Tags in Dogs
While occasionally, skin tags can shrink on their own, more often they will be a harmless addition to your dog’s skin until removed. After any type of removal, prevent your dog from licking, chewing, or scratching at the area to prevent any further damage. An Elizabethan collar can be used. Keep the area clean and monitor it for changes. Be aware that once your dog has developed a skin tag, he may be more prone to develop others.
Skin Tags Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
My yorkie has what I thought was a skin tag. It has been there for well over a year. This past month it has grown in length. She is acting fine. Should I be concerned?
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My dog has had a skin tag for about a week on the side of her nose. It doesnt bother her and she is fine w no issues but i have just noticed it seems like white stuff is coming out of it. What should i do?
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My dog is 7 years and 6 months old American Cocker Spaniel. She have a skin tag right on her bottom lip. Its getting longer but it is growing very slowly. It's been there for about 6 months. I've recently noticed tags or lumps in other areas. One under flap of ear and on between her tail and anal area.
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I have noticed that my 5lb mix has skin tags where they have given a shot
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My 11 year old British Lab has developed what are clearly skin tags (we have a vet appt just in case). He has one on top of his head which isn't bothering him...but it bothers me! Is it true that skin tags can be treated with organic cider vinegar?
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Hi, a German Shepard attacked my dog but only left him with two teeth bite marks from what I can see. Should we bring him to the vet or wait and watch him? They are located on his arm.
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We just noticed a skin tag on our lab mix. The end of it is black, but the rest of it is pink. It is about an inch long, and didn't seem to bother her when we examined it. The black at the end seems to be protruding from it, but not oozing or coming off of anything. Should we be worried? I have a pic, but don't know how to send it here.
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My Coon hound is not even a year old my lab is only 2. They both are getting skin tags the get kind big but then they dry out and fall off. Should I be concerned?
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Hello. My beagle has several skin tags on her body and they’ve already been identified as harmless by her vet. There is a large one on her front paw that looks like a mini brain. Lots of small tags on top of each other. Last night a few of those turned dark red and now blackish. It looks like blood is pooling inside. What can I do at home (prick them?)? Should I take her to the vet? How urgently?
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my dog angel has a skin tag on the side of her face it a little bit bigger than LAST YEAR she also has one on the side of her lip its tiny but aggravates her and she has a tiny one on her back should i take her to see the vet i just don't like to see them on her
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My dog has a large skin tag on jhis neck. Over time it started to dry out and now it has cracked and there is some bleeding which I cleaned. Is this normal for a skin tag? Do they dry out and end up cracking or falling off?
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My dog is 14 and a half years old 9 pound Yorkie he has 9 skin tags they are growing up to 5 millimeter 1 tag on his neck split and there is a discharge which becomes black and hard one time it came off when I give him a bath and the skin underneath was healed now this second one won't heal he is in good health, why why does he have so many skin tags, like one a month ?all of them are pink, some are 2mm and stalk like, some stop growing they are approximately 3 millimeter.
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I have a male lab, 11yrs old. He had what were clearly 3 skin tags on his back, my female lab keeps licking the area and now there is a 2"x2" cluster of raised bumps (cauliflower looking) along with the skin tags. Any suggestions or ideas?
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Thank you Dr. King
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My dog appears to have a skin tag which is black in colour. She is not sick she has a good appetite and there is no sign of infection. Do I need to take her to see a vet ?
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My dog has a skin tag on her front leg. The vet has confirmed this months ago. He also said it wouldn't get much bigger. It was always flat looking. Now today it looks like its ready to explode it is so swollen.
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