My dog has a white lump just under his ear

[Truro]

For a couple of weeks now, when I played with my dog and tickled his ear, I'd sometimes feel a little bump. Tonight I took a closer look and saw a small white bumb, just smaller than a pea.
He's quite an old dog, but he's still very active and happy. Eats normally and doesn't seem to be in pain.
Should I be worried? Is it a sign of cancer?

[tamborine]

Its a tick - I think.....apply a drop of vinegar, if it moves pull it off with tweezers.

[boxtops]

I have cats so don't know much about dogs - does this help? http://www.justanswer...er-back-looks-kind-of

[lankeela]

No don't pull it off with tweezers! Even if it is a tick you have to carefully remove them by gripping at their base, right near the skin, and twisting slowly till the legs which are inside the dog release their grip. Draw slowly up and round so you don't leave the legs in.

However if its under the skin then its not a tick, probably just one of those cysts that many older dogs get. Keep an eye on it. If its a tick it will drop off itself soon anyway once it becomes gorged wth blood (it will look like a little blackcurrant). If its a cyst then it probably won't grow any more. If it does appear to be growing them take him to the vet to be on the safe side. However if he is elderly its unlikely the vet will want to do to much, unless it is causing any discomfort.

[AlBags]

Correct ... under the skin a tick it is not. If it were a tick, you should dab it with some Meths, Surgical Spirit, Thinners, or near a small flame. It will then let go and you can remove COMPLETE with it's head, which will stay behind if you just scratch it off.
Probably a cyst tho .. .common in older dogs. Keep eye on it.

[mandimoo]

isnt it the mouth parts that remain stuck if you remove a tick carelessly?

[woofgang]

no don't dab anything on the tick!!the exception is if you use frontline spray (not spot on) then you can dab a little of this on the tick. I use the unscrew technique too but the recommended way is to hold the tick in narrow point tweezers right where it is fastened into the animal and pull steadily. Don't squeeze the body as this squirts toxin into the animal....having said that i don't think its a tick either, if its white its probably a cyst or fatty tumour check with the vet to be sure