Lumps and bumps on or under the skin are a common finding in pet animals, especially older pets. Often we fear that these lumps occur because the pet has cancer. However, not all lumps are cancer, and even some types of cancer can be benign or relatively harmless.
So what should you do if you notice a lump or bump on your pet? The most important piece of advice is to never make any assumptions. Even if your pet is older, a lump does not automatically mean that the diagnosis is ‘cancer'; on the other hand, just because your pet is young, it does not mean that the lump is harmless.
It is important that you take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as practical to have any lump checked out. You should be prepared to answer questions about when you first noticed the lump, whether your pet is feeling and behaving normally, whether the lump seems to be bothersome (i.e. have you noticed your pet frequently licking or chewing at it), does it seem painful when touched, et cetera.
Once your veterinarian has conducted a physical examination of your pet and has considered several specific factors, he or she will make some recommendations to you. Factors that will be important in making these recommendations include your pet's age, breed and overall health status, the location and size of the mass, the appearance of the area surrounding the mass, how firmly it is attached to the tissues beneath it, whether it developed suddenly, and whether there is any history of recent trauma.
In the majority of cases, your veterinarian will recommend performing a biopsy of some sort. There are several types of biopsies, including fine-needle aspiration biopsies (a fine needle is inserted into the lump and a sample of fluid and/or cells is withdrawn for analysis), incision biopsies (a sample of the lump is removed via an incision), or excision biopsies (where the entire mass is removed). The choice of which biopsy to perform depends on the individual circumstances. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best option for your pet.
Unless the diagnosis is very obvious, the biopsy sample should be sent to a veterinary laboratory so that the nature of the lump can be evaluated microscopically. That way, you will know whether or not the lump is something that is benign and what treatment options are available.
No matter whether your pet is a cat, a dog, a parrot, a snake, an iguana, a ferret, a hamster, or a more unusual or exotic critter, you should know what is ‘normal' and watch for anything out of the ordinary. That way, we can help you keep your friend healthy so that he or she can continue to lead a comfortable life. If you have any questions or concerns about this or other issues regarding your pet's health, don't hesitate to contact us for help or advice.
Caution: These news items, written by Lifelearn Inc., are licensed to this practice for the personal use of our clients. Any copying, printing or further distribution is prohibited without the express written permission of Lifelearn Inc. Please note that the news information presented here is NOT a substitute for a proper consultation and/or clinical examination of your pet by our clinic veterinarian.
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