Tummy bump???

[bellasmomok]

We got a new puppy a couple of weeks ago (Maya), and the day after I brought her home, I noticed a little brown colored bump on her tummy. It's centered and midline, right where I would guess her umbilical cord was. It does NOT look like an umbilical hernia to me though (I looked up pics of those, and this is much much smaller for one), and it doesn't look like a bite either. I'm completely stumped!! Since it doesn't look inflamed AT ALL and since it doesn't bother her no matter how I mess with it, I'll wait to have the vet look at it when we go next (she'll be 14 wks old tomorrow), but I was hoping maybe someone who has experience with puppies might know what it could be....or maybe even someone else has seen this on their dog?? I'll try to be as descriptive as I can, plus I've attached some pics. The pics don't really do it justice...for one, it's darker looking than the pics make it look (the 1st pic looks more accurate as far as color goes). Also, I took these pics earlier this week, but I looked at it again just now, and it seems to be getting lighter and also more speckled if that makes sense? Sort of like the color is breaking up....like how a scab starts out solid looking and then starts getting speckled as it breaks up and heals (NOTE: it's NOT a scab, I was just trying to give an example ) Also, I noticed that if I gently pinch up the skin there, I can roll the bump around with my fingertips, so it seems like it's only skin deep (sort of how you can roll a microchip around with your fingers, only it's round, not like a grain of rice the way a microchip feels). And the bump is very very tiny!! Again, it's brown colored, and it's exactly where I'd expect her umbilicus (belly button--I have a degree in the medical field )to be, which to me also makes a bite less likely....that would be an awfully big coincidence, to have a bite squarely in the center the way this is
So, any ideas??

[bellasmomok]

bump

anyone???

[ChewyGeorgia85]

Is your puppy acting okay, health wise? I think it may just be a birth mark of some sort, but to be safe, I would suggest getting a hold of your vet and see if it may be something that needs to be checked out. Also, I would ask the breeder and see if they have any ideas. Sorry I am not much help, but I would definitely check it out just to be safe. Good luck!

[MauiGirl]

Tara, I have no idea what that might be, and hope the vet will soon be able to tell you. I hope it turns out to be nothing, and that your new pup will enjoy good health; especially since you have had your share of worries over your little Bella.

[bellasmomok]

Originally Posted by ChewyGeorgia85

Is your puppy acting okay, health wise? I think it may just be a birth mark of some sort, but to be safe, I would suggest getting a hold of your vet and see if it may be something that needs to be checked out. Also, I would ask the breeder and see if they have any ideas. Sorry I am not much help, but I would definitely check it out just to be safe. Good luck!

Yep, she's acting completely normally!! And like I said, even when I messed with the bump (even gently pinching it to feel how deep it went, etc...) she didn't act like it bothered her at all. Hmmmm, I didn't realize that dogs could have birth marks, but it totally makes sense I wonder if that's what it is...??? Still weird that it's right where I'd think her belly button would be. I'll definitely have the vet check it out when we go again in a couple weeks, though. I was hoping someone else might have seen something like it, but oh well! I'll just have to be patient to wait and ask the vet what he thinks.

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

Tara, I have no idea what that might be, and hope the vet will soon be able to tell you. I hope it turns out to be nothing, and that your new pup will enjoy good health; especially since you have had your share of worries over your little Bella.

Thank you Sandy. Yes, I've had my fair share of worries already!! (And so have you How is your baby by the way? I'm so sorry we lost touch! I hope she's doing really well!! It looks like you've added to your family, too??? ) But, hopefully it's nothing....it certainly doesn't seem to be anything serious. And even if it were a hernia (which I'm almost positive it's not), it would be a very easy fix....I've heard they generally wait to repair them during their spay if they have them. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. Too bad waiting is such a hard thing to do!!

[Cares4Dogs]

Might be a cyst?? Ask your vet at next checkup to look at it.

[ChewyGeorgia85]

My male, Chewy, has a little dark bump on his tummy, but it looks more like a mole than anything. It could also just be a mole too on your baby's tummy. I know a lot of dogs have moles or even warts and they are completely healthy! You just have to keep an eye on it over the years just to make sure it doesn't turn colors or shapes as that can probably indicate some sort of cancer. But your baby looks totally healthy just judging by the belly. She is well fed, just like my chewy!

[bellasmomok]

Originally Posted by Cares4Dogs

Might be a cyst?? Ask your vet at next checkup to look at it.

Yeah, it could be....only why would it be brownish colored?? Good thought, though. I hadn't thought of that! I guess even if it was, that probably wouldn't be too big a deal anyway. Thanks!!

Originally Posted by ChewyGeorgia85

My male, Chewy, has a little dark bump on his tummy, but it looks more like a mole than anything. It could also just be a mole too on your baby's tummy. I know a lot of dogs have moles or even warts and they are completely healthy! You just have to keep an eye on it over the years just to make sure it doesn't turn colors or shapes as that can probably indicate some sort of cancer. But your baby looks totally healthy just judging by the belly. She is well fed, just like my chewy!

Oh, wow! Yeah, it really does kind of look like a mole. I'll definitely watch it, though...ya know, it does seem like it's lighter and less noticeable than it used to be (maybe it'll go away altogether all on its own!), although that may just be my imagination. Yes, she is VERY well fed! If you can believe it, her tummy isn't as pudgy as it was when I brought her home!! She was a hand fed baby, so she got to eat as much as she wanted...and boy did she! haha She was so tubby and adorable when I brought her home. She's still a bit tubby, but she's already starting to lose her baby pudginess I'm really gonna miss that I think!