" A CANINE LUMP'S & SKIN GROWTHS CAN SCARE YOU TO DEATH"
When you find a mysterious lump or bump on your dog, it can be scary. Most people simply don't know what to think and most of us can't help but think the worst. We see this more often than you might think. Remember a lump is just a lump until the vet tells you something different. Sometimes it turns out to be nothing, but some times the news is not good.
Cancer is common in pets. They can get all forms and types of cancer - lung cancer, skin cancer , bone cancer and pretty much any other type of cancer that people can get.
Some lumps and bumps can be easily seen or felt on or just underneath the skin. These lumps and bumps can be forms of skin cancer. Other tumors can be attached to organs or bone - they cannot be felt or seen.
Lets talk about the types of bumps you can see or feel. Dogs can develop small bumps (papules) or larger bumps (nodules) on their skin. These lumps and bumps are fairly common occurrences, especially in the older dog.
Is it cancer?
Very often the word "lump" automatically brings the word "cancer" to mind. However, there are many other causes of lumps. A skin growth or mass may be a malignant or benign tumor, an abscess, a cyst, a hematoma (blood-filled mass) or a simple allergic reaction (hives).
Lumps can be benign accumulations of fat called lipomas or "fatty tumors". They are usually soft, well defined and subcutaneous (under the skin). These types of lumps are generally do not cause a problem.
When to see the vet!
Any new lump or bump should be evaluated right away, especially a lump that is rapidly growing, is warm or painful, is ulcerated or bleeding, is irregular in shape or is well attached to the tissues under the skin. Any of the above signs should prompt you to seek veterinary attention.
Your vet should ask you several questions about the lump - a few example:
To determine if a mass or lump is cancerous, your vet could aspirate the mass. This consists of a small needle being placed into the mass to collect cells for staining and examination under a microscope. This test usually requires no anesthesia and often leads to some answers.
Another way to determine if a lump is dangerous is to do a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the entire mass or removing a piece of the mass, which is submitted for evaluation. Most times this will need to be sent off for a pathology report. This is usually done under anesthesia.
Treatment will depends on the cause of the lump. There is not one specific treatment for all skin growths. For lumps that are benign or fatty tumors, nothing may be done. Unless it cause a problem with mobility. If a lump is cancerous, removal of the lump recommended. The vet will send it off for a pathology report to check for clean margins. Chemo and radiation is available for another treatment option.
I hope this help you to understand about lumps on your pet. All lumps should be examined by a vet.
When you find a mysterious lump or bump on your dog, it can be scary. Most people simply don't know what to think and most of us can't help but think the worst. We see this more often than you might think. Remember a lump is just a lump until the vet tells you something different. Sometimes it turns out to be nothing, but some times the news is not good.
Cancer is common in pets. They can get all forms and types of cancer - lung cancer, skin cancer , bone cancer and pretty much any other type of cancer that people can get.
Some lumps and bumps can be easily seen or felt on or just underneath the skin. These lumps and bumps can be forms of skin cancer. Other tumors can be attached to organs or bone - they cannot be felt or seen.
Lets talk about the types of bumps you can see or feel. Dogs can develop small bumps (papules) or larger bumps (nodules) on their skin. These lumps and bumps are fairly common occurrences, especially in the older dog.
Is it cancer?
Very often the word "lump" automatically brings the word "cancer" to mind. However, there are many other causes of lumps. A skin growth or mass may be a malignant or benign tumor, an abscess, a cyst, a hematoma (blood-filled mass) or a simple allergic reaction (hives).
Lumps can be benign accumulations of fat called lipomas or "fatty tumors". They are usually soft, well defined and subcutaneous (under the skin). These types of lumps are generally do not cause a problem.
When to see the vet!
Any new lump or bump should be evaluated right away, especially a lump that is rapidly growing, is warm or painful, is ulcerated or bleeding, is irregular in shape or is well attached to the tissues under the skin. Any of the above signs should prompt you to seek veterinary attention.
Your vet should ask you several questions about the lump - a few example:
- When did you first notice the growth?
- has it changed in appearance gotten larger or smaller changed shape?
- Does the lump appear to be attached to the skin?
- How fast has it changed in appearance?
- Have there been any recent injuries or injections?
- Is there only one lump or have you found others?
- Have you noticed any changes in your pet's behavior, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy aggression?
To determine if a mass or lump is cancerous, your vet could aspirate the mass. This consists of a small needle being placed into the mass to collect cells for staining and examination under a microscope. This test usually requires no anesthesia and often leads to some answers.
Another way to determine if a lump is dangerous is to do a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing the entire mass or removing a piece of the mass, which is submitted for evaluation. Most times this will need to be sent off for a pathology report. This is usually done under anesthesia.
Treatment will depends on the cause of the lump. There is not one specific treatment for all skin growths. For lumps that are benign or fatty tumors, nothing may be done. Unless it cause a problem with mobility. If a lump is cancerous, removal of the lump recommended. The vet will send it off for a pathology report to check for clean margins. Chemo and radiation is available for another treatment option.
I hope this help you to understand about lumps on your pet. All lumps should be examined by a vet.
