How to know what the growth is on my dog’s eyelid

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Eyelid masses in dogs are usually benign but sometimes cause damage or irritation to the eye. Some eyelid growths are cancerous, and since it’s impossible to identify a growth by its appearance alone, it’s best for pet parents to promptly consult with a veterinarian. Read on to learn:

• What dog eyelid masses look like
• Common eyelid masses in dogs
• How canine eyelid growths are diagnosed and treated

Growths on the eyelid’s oil glands (meibomian glands), warts, and benign tumors are examples of common eyelid masses in dogs. An eyelid growth may not require removal or treatment if it isn’t causing any problems. However, malignant tumors and benign growths that are irritating the eye often require surgical removal. Meibomian gland adenomas, a common eyelid mass in dogs, can grow very large and cause issues such as eye irritation, inability to close the eyelid, and impaired vision. Diagnosing the type of eyelid growth a dog has requires examination by a veterinarian, and a biopsy may be necessary.

Various masses, growths, and tumors can grow on a dog’s eyelid. Eyelid masses are common in dogs, especially in middle-aged and older dogs. “It may not be possible to determine what kind of mass it is based on its appearance alone,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. Growths on a dog’s eyelids vary in size, shape, number, location, color, and texture. Some eyelid masses are very small and barely noticeable, while others can grow large and cause eye irritation or other issues. Since the appearance of eyelid masses is so variable, it’s important to see a veterinarian to learn what the mass is and what needs to be done about it.

Some examples of types of eyelid masses in dogs include:

• Meibomian gland cysts (chalazion) or tumors (meibomian gland adenoma or adenocarcinoma)
• Styes (hordeolum)
• Melanoma
• Warts (papillomas)
• Histiocytoma
• Skin tags

Meibomian cysts and tumors, melanomas, and papillomas are the most common eyelid masses in dogs.

Most common eyelid tumors are benign, or noncancerous. Benign growths can still cause problems if they:

• Rub against the eye
• Become infected
• Rupture
• Prevent the eye from fully closing
• Block vision
• Irritate the eye or lid

A prolapsed third eyelid, or cherry eye, can sometimes look like a growth on the lower eyelid. However, a cherry eye is not an abnormal growth. It occurs when the nictitans gland pops out of place.

Is my dog’s eyelid growth cancerous?

It may not be possible to know whether eyelid tumors in dogs are cancerous or not just by looking at them. A definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy to check for cancer cells in the growth. Most canine eyelid tumors are benign. Malignant tumors on the eyelid are less common and are often not aggressive. Even though cancerous eyelid growths usually do not metastasize, it’s still important to have any new eyelid growths checked by a veterinarian.

Many eyelid masses develop spontaneously with no known cause. Some types of eyelid growths are more or less common depending on the age of the dog. The meibomian glands along the margins of the eyelids can grow large if they become blocked and the oil backs up. This is called a chalazion, and if the chalazion becomes infected, it’s called a stye, or hordeolum. The cells within the meibomian glands may also start to reproduce abnormally and form a meibomian gland tumor, or adenoma. Other cell types within the eyelids, such as pigment-producing ones, can become cancerous and form a tumor or even potentially metastasize and threaten the dog’s life.

Most tumors of pigment-producing cells (melanomas) on a dog’s skin are benign, and their cause in dogs is unknown. They’re not thought to be caused by UV exposure like in humans. The cause of histiocytomas, or tumors of the cells that produce histamine, is not fully understood.

Some dogs with eyelid growths don’t have any additional symptoms other than the presence of the growth. In other dogs, masses may cause irritation to the eye and other eye-related symptoms, such as:

• Eye redness
• Eye discharge or excessive tear production
• Frequent rubbing or pawing at the eye
• Squinting or excessively blinking
• Cloudy eyes
• Bleeding from the eyelid

Growths can cause irritation and permanent eye damage even if they’re benign, so it’s important to seek veterinary care if you notice any growths around your dog’s eyes. Some eyelid tumors are cancerous, so they may be accompanied by symptoms of metastasis, such as enlarged lymph nodes, appetite and weight loss, and lethargy.

When eyelid masses are an emergency

Eyelid masses in dogs are not usually life-threatening. All eyelid masses should be checked promptly by a veterinarian, but seek help quickly if:

• Growths are causing eye irritation or pain
• The growth is changing in size or color
• A growth has ruptured

A veterinarian typically starts by getting a close look at the abnormal bump on a dog’s eyelid then may recommend additional testing. Additional diagnostic tests may include:

• Bacterial or fungal culture
• Fine needle aspiration
• Cytology of skin scrapings from the mass and around the eyelid
• Blood work

Knowing what type of eyelid tumor the patient has is necessary for determining an appropriate treatment plan.

Not all eyelid masses require treatment and most are benign. If a benign growth isn’t causing any problems, a veterinarian may recommend simply monitoring the growth for changes. Some benign masses may go away on their own or with minimal supportive care.

When indicated, treatment for eyelid masses in dogs may include:

• Warm compresses
• Delicately massaging the backed-up gland to help with drainage
• Antibiotic eye drops or ointment
• Surgical treatment, cryotherapy, or laser ablation of a mass
• Surgical removal of the lid or eye, in severe cases

Do not attempt to pop, remove, or otherwise treat an eyelid mass on your dog. Improper treatment can damage a dog’s eye or eyelid.

Reconstructive eyelid surgery may be needed after removing a large eyelid mass. In rare cases in which malignant eyelid tumors have metastasized to other parts of the body, chemo and radiation therapy may be recommended.

It’s important to talk to a veterinarian any time you notice changes in your dog’s eyes, including abnormal growths on and around the eyelids. Most eyelid masses are benign but can cause damage or irritation to the eye. Though rare, cancerous eyelid bumps can occur and even metastasize to other parts of the body. If your dog has an eyelid growth or you need help administering eye medications, an online vet can offer tailored guidance based on your dog’s unique situation.

How do you treat eyelid growths in dogs?

Not all canine eyelid growths require treatment. For those that do, a veterinarian can determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. If the growth is a tumor that must be removed, that can be done surgically or by freezing it off with liquid nitrogen. Do not attempt to remove, pop, or otherwise treat your dog’s eyelid growth: This can damage your dog’s eye or delicate eyelid skin. Different types of eyelid masses are treated differently.

What causes eyelid masses in dogs?

Different types of eyelid masses are caused by different things. Warts, or papillomas, may affect the eyelids, and they are caused by a virus. The oil glands along the margins of the eyelids may become backed up and form a mass called a chalazion. If the chalazion becomes infected, that’s called a stye, or hordeolum. Eyelids are made up of numerous types of cells, any of which can develop tumors. While the cause of most eyelid tumors isn’t well understood, most are benign, and those that are cancerous tend not to be terribly aggressive.

Do eyelid tumors hurt dogs?

The amount of pain associated with an eyelid mass depends on what it is. Styes are infected, backed-up meibomian glands, and they can become swollen and painful. Warts and most other common eyelid growths are usually not painful. Depending on the location and size of an eyelid tumor, it may irritate the eye or bother the dog. When this happens, the dog may paw at the eye or rub it against surfaces, which in turn may lead to painful injury or infection.