Many times dog lovers will arrive in my hospital and point out that their canine companion has a bump. This one is soft, kind of like very firm jello. “Doesn’t seem to be causing any pain,” they say.
Hm. Well, it could be a “fatty” tumor. This is simply a tumor made out of fat. Yes, a big glob of fat, the same stuff that makes us chubby.
Some clients have used natural means to help their dogs with these tumors. I have had my clients say they have had luck with curcumin given by mouth. Curcumin is a part of the spice turmeric. In The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, I wrote about this bioflavonoid. It can be purchased as an ingredient in Apocaps, and also by itself as a sole agent.
Many dog lovers have heard of the fatty tumors, and have been told by their vets that there is nothing to worry about. And many times, they are right.
Not every time, though.
Here’s why: first of all, not every soft tumor is a “fatty” tumor. Remember mast cell tumors, the Great Imitators? Some mast cell tumors are aggressive, life-threatening cancers. And they can feel just like a benign fatty tumor.
Your vet can differentiate between a fatty tumor and a mast cell tumor with a simple fine needle aspirate, an easy, outpatient procedure where the vet takes a sample with a needle and sends it to a pathologist. Many of us will review the slide right in house.
Another soft gooshy tumor, especially on the limbs, in called a hemangiopericytoma. This is an unfriendly tumor, folks.
Secondly, not every tumor made out of fat is truly benign. Most are, and they are called lipomas. However, a small portion of them grow aggressively. They invade into surrounding tissue. They often grow fairly quickly, over months, and expand. These are called liposarcomas.
The reason it matters is that they can become quite large. And you remove them and they will often regrow, since they are difficult to remove. You think you got ‘em, and they come back.
Take home message: if you have a rapidly growing, fatty tumor, get it out. You might be dealing with a liposarcoma, and they can be tough. Have the vet biopsy the edge, and make sure they include adjacent muscle, or the path folks may complain they don’t have enough data to make a call…
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
{ 213 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
My vet just did a punch biopsy on my 6 yr old female dal, Abbie. She has a lump just to the left of her spine. Doc said it is not dorsal facet, cyst or bone fragment. I have 5-10 days to go out of my mind before “naming”it. He said there is “definitely” something there. It doesn’t seem to bother her, even after the biopsy. Glomangiosarcoma is still scary. He ruled out hemangiosarcoma, blood is excellent and he has ruled out ALL “normal cancers”, which scares me even more….What is my best case scenario?
Dina,
I am sorry, I need a bit more data. There are a variety of benign growths the would be “good” scenarios, depending on what is going on in the dog. Epidermal inclusion cyst is one example of many.
D
Doc,
I’ve had a question for a while to which you might be able to offer an answer or at least some insights.
We recently (July 08) lost our 9 year old Siberian Husky to hemangiosarcoma. Don’t need to go into the details of that. However, during the 7 years after we rescued him, we found many “lumps and bumps” of various sorts on his body (Many means >10). We tried to always do the needle biopsy, and our vet never found anything suspicious, although we removed a few because they were in places like his eyelid or on on the top of his head and were therefore vulnerable for various reasons.
These growths were mostly the little solid, wartlike growths, but there were a few lipomas as well, including one that ultimately got very large (4″ x 3″ x1″) on his upper torso. The vet was always reluctant to remove it because of potential muscle involvement, thinking that it might have been very difficult to remove, and would leave a cavity, etc.
All this is in contrast to our other husky, who has had only a minimal number of such things, both of which were of different character–one was one of those perianal things (removed) and the other was a benigh growth on her leg (also removed) that we were worried might have been HSA.
Anyway, my question is whether or not you’ve ever seen any evidence that dogs that are more “lumpy” are perhaps more predisposed to ultimately developing malignant tumors that those who are less lumpy. As it turned out, our HSA dog also had a tumor on his adrenal gland was was removed at the same time as the splenectomy. There was also something going on with his prostate (never actually resolved) in addition to the metastasis of the HSA to his liver. In the end, therefore, he really had numerous tumors, benign and malignant, and I’ve just been wondering if there has ever been any evidence of a relationship between these. We’ve always been pretty diligent about watching for and checking out the various growths on our dogs, but if a large number of “benign” growth might be indicative, we might be even more diligent, looking for early evidence of other things…
Hey Dave,
interesting question, and sorry to hear about the hemangiosarcoma. I don’t have any “scientific” evidence supporting that idea. However, there is no doubt that if you have a certain number of growth that are benign, and a certain percentage of all growths that are malignant, odds would dictate that ultimately you stack the deck in a lumpy dog. Some would argue this is the “gambler’s fallacy”, but I disagree. My opinion is a more lumpy dog is more prone, statistically, to having a lump that is malignant. But I certainly cannot say this is backed by any reference to present, just opinion. My upcoming e-book addresses the reasons why cancers occur in a lot of detail if you are interested….
I always say be safe, get them checked!
D
My 3 year old rhodesian ridgeback had two mast cell tumors grade 2 removed in September08. One of the MCTs was located on his flank. Since the surgery, a lump has developed in the area. This has since been diagnosed as benign fat — or more accurately, stitched fat during surgery.
I am hoping to hear your thoughts: Is this a common occurrence? Is there concern this may develop into sarcoma (cancer), given my boy’s MCT history? As I keep my eye on the lump, what should I watch out for and will it decrease in size?
Thank you so very much in advance!!
Can you tell me what the supplements you mention above that are shrinking lipomas? I have an 8 yr old Golden/Lab mix that has a few.
Thanks.
Doc
I am at a total loss of what to do. After two months of treatment on my 10 1/2 Golden Retriever for what was diagnosed by two vets as a very arthritic elbow, a third vet has diagnosed cancer in the shoulder area. Upon x-ray he was surprised to find what appeared to be cancer. He thought it was an osteosarcoma and took cells with a needle biopsy while she was sedated. It came back as a histiolytic cancer?? It must be in the muscle and in the bone. By ultrasound, she has a tumor on her spleen and bumps under her skin which were also aspirated and showed abnormal cells. I don’t know what I am dealing with. She is on pain meds because she is clearly in pain and limps severely. The muscle has atrophied quite a bit. What next? I can’t find good information on this type of cancer. Amputation is out of the question. Chemo? Radiation for treatment or palliation? supplements? lots of pain meds? Help me. This little girl is so precious to us but she looks like I am losing her fast. Thank you
I too would be very interested in what supplements were used to help shrink fatty tumors as I have an English Setter with a few.
Hi
I am sorry about your furbaby…I read recently ( and had used it before ) that CHICO And CURCUMA ( made by Seven Forests ) is excellent for reducing lipomas. I have my 14 year old Borzoi on it right now. Also have you tried artemesinin??? I think it is a wonderful additive to their diet.My OS greyhound boy Jaxen had amp and chemo and lived 46 1/2 months VERY healthy…he was on arte ( as well as a natural diet and supplements )
Pamela
Michelle, I go into this is in a lot of detail in the book coming up, the dosing and sources and so on. Too much for this box, I am sorry. For now though:
silymarin+apigenin+luteolin+lecithin+curcumin
Best,
D
Patricia,
I don’t want to say the wrong thing but this does not sound good in all honesty.
Talk to your vet about pain meds.
Some suggestions for you and your vet to consider together:
Piroxicam with EGCG (Teavigo)
Curcumin
Tramadol/sustained release morphine (I like Tramadol better)
Marinol
These are covered in the upcoming e-book.
I wish you the very best.
D
Chris, the answer is a bit detailed, with body weight and sources of the agents to be discussed (which I do in the 300 page e-book that should be out very shortly).
But to answer briefly:
curcurmin+lecithin+apigenin+luteolin+silymarin.
Best,
D
Chris, one more thing, you must be sure to discuss everything you are doing with your vet as every dog is different.
Thanks!
D
Karen,
yes, fat can be grouped up under the incision and produce a bump. I cannot give advice on individual dogs, sorry- but you should make sure a wide excision was done on the site which is the treatment for grade 2 MCT’s. Also find out the mitotic index, which gives you info on expected behavior, from the vet.
If fat, it should go down over time slowly,
Best
D
I had a great dane that got Liposarcoma. I was told 10 years ago it was a rare type of cancer. I am sure alot of it has to do with the food that they are eating. ALl my danes died of cancer, osteosarcoma, stomach, testicular. i now feed all my dogs Innova. hopefully this will help.
My 6-year old Lab Retriever was diagnosed with infiltrated lipoma in the armpit of her left leg. It was removed, but the vet said it could grow back and that infiltrated lipoma is half way between benign and cancer. What diet and supplements might help the dog? Is there any diet or supplements to help it not to grow back as I can’t afford any more surgery? Is there anything I can do that’s preventive? Should I take away all grains? Should the dog (male, neutered) be fed only meat and eggs or raw vegetables in a blender mixed with ground turkey? Anyway to prevent a recurrance of the infiltrated lipoma?
A.H., this is an open ended question that needs many pages to answer. Consider the upcoming e-book.
You can also have your vet contact me and I may be able to help. I have a program where I am developing certain supplements that have shown promise.
D
My 11 year old labrador has got three tumours one in the colon and two in the rectum. My vet says that they are inoperable and he is find it increasingly difficult to empty his bowels. Albert my dog undersent his first course of chemo today. I have been given advice from my vet on diet and what to do in the next few days but if you have any advice on diet and how to treat this I would be grateful
My 11 year old labrador has got three tumours one in the colon and two in the rectum. My vet says that they are inoperable and he is find it increasingly difficult to empty his bowels. Albert my dog undersent his first course of chemo today. I have been given advice from my vet on diet and what to do in the next few days but if you have any advice on diet and how to treat this I would be grateful
I have an 8 year old male dalmatian who had 2 tumors diagnosed as “fatty tumors.” One was on his chest/ribcage area and very small, the other is on his hip area and at the time was about the size of a half dollar. It has since grown in size. The problem is my husband is in the Air Force and we are stationed in Germany. The local vet speaks almost no English which makes it difficult to inform them of what we want or need. So we took Maveric to the base vet who did a needle aspirate and informed us of the “fatty tumor” status. The local vet didn’t even do that, just felt it and called them fat tumors. Anyway, I asked about aspirating them down in size and was told that they are nothing to worry about and they won’t remove them right now because it’s “cosmetic.” They would only remove the one on his chest if it starts to impede his mobility.
My question is this. I had a friend, who was once a vet, say they can aspirate the tumor and from the way she talked, I thought she meant they would pull all the cells out of the tumor with a needle. Is this done? And is it an alternative to surgery? I plan on going to the base vet and having him checked out again to be sure nothing has changed. However, we leave here in a year and I would prefer to not have any surgeries done here because of the language barrier. So is there a way we can try to “manage” the growth of the tumor until we can get back to the US and have it removed properly?
Kathleen
hi my 10 year old pit/dal mix has had several small lumps all in different areas of her body/the vet did a biopsy and said to just keep an eye on them….well over the last 12 months they have slowly been growing,
but worst/ from the middle of her back to mid tail, right under the skin is hard,stiff and rippled (when i asked the vet about it last year,it was less noticeable and the vet said it was prob. from weight gain) it has spread and looks larger than the surrounding area.i am taking her back to the vet next week/do you have any tips on what to ask the vet,or what kind of tests i should expect to have done?
thank you
Can you tell me anything about liposarcomas induced by foreign bodies? I know there have been a few articles here and there over the years about these tumors occurring where a body had lodged (microchip, piece of glass), etc.
My 8.5 year old Akita cross has a few lipomas. We have been good at eyeballing them and aspirating them regularly. However, in recent weeks, one has not only grown, but it has gotten very firm and immobile–it has almost become a part of the ribcage (it is near the ribcage front limb junction). All of the previous aspirates have only been examined at the vet–no path/cytology.
We will be opening him up (dog, not vet
) next week to see what we can see–and hopfeully excise whatever’s there (I told him that if he has to, take as wide of margins as possible), but I am concerned about the possibility of a well-defined liposarcoma. I know they are rare–but they are also the most mistaken for a regular lipoma. I should also note, I’m also concerned about an infiltrative lipoma…which would almost be worse.
Either way, long story short, this spot, coincidentally is also where the dog had an embedded foxtail that had burrowed its way into the muscle. We had to surgically remove it and a bunch of infected tissue last year at about this time. The current lipoma appeared later…and has been growing/changing for the last 6-8 months. could there be a connection? Not that it matters, I guess…but is it possible? Or is it most likely that this will just be an atypical, but normal, lipoma.
Dr. Dressler,
My 12yr. old kuvasz Nik recently has been diagnosed with Liposarcoma. The vet didn’t aspirate explained that it might not be conclusive since the offending cells could be missed but based on visual she’s sure this is the case. He has had tons of these fatty lumps EVERYWHERE this particular one has been slowly growing for approx. 4-5yrs. been aspirated 2x’s past & I was advised past couple yrs. 2 different vets to leave it unless it affected mobility or bothered him due to the opinion at that time it was just a lipoma soft etc..
It seemed to take a big change over what seemed to be days now is hard & looks like he has a football under his skin to left of spine behind left front shoulder. I knew immediately when it got hard it was not a good thing hence took him in right away.
The aggressive treatment suggested was excision which possibly could involve muscle etc.. painful anyways & could need radiation after. His blood work was good 2 values were a little changed but she wasn’t concerned: Alkaline Phosphatase 178 / Granulocytes 12.5 she commented couldn’t believe she was looking @ a 12yr. olds bloodwork. His teeth are beautiful, his eyes just have normal age changes no cataracts he’s a very strong dog. He’s had a history of allergies during late august/sept. (pollens) would get skin spots & he is getting weak in hindquarters & especially over past month but still a very strong dog in spite of this & his age BUT…..
I at this point will not do evasive surgical procedures on him I’ve experienced this path before & know that it would be one thing after another hacking him up, there is another of these soft lumps that has changed over past month on his right side just behind rib cage so I feel we’d be chasing one after another & he would suffer the last months of his life instead of enjoying the time left & us helping him gently go with the vets help when the time comes I’d like to know if there are any NON evasive ways to help this condition such as meds etc… that may slow this liposarcoma.
I did order k9immunity/transfer cancer pack & will start that when it comes, my dogs both have eaten solid gold holistique blenz & wolf king for yrs. I was also looking into switching to tast of wild grain free? Will this support help at all? are there other things that could?
My other Kuvasz is 10yrs. old & acts like hes 3. He has one small fatty lump in groin area has also been aspirated no issue but I’ll likely get it removed if it changes AT ALL soft or not!
I am a prof. groomer & trainer attended tons of seminars on every topic to do with dogs including a mini-vet class @ the U of Mn so I do watch over my dogs carefully & have past experience with cancer (lost my first kuvasz @ 7 to hemangiosarcoma 6wks. after surgery) hence my decision not to start hacking on him @ 12yrs. old we’re lucky to have had his company this long. Just looking for advice if there are other treatments etc.. that your aware of since you specifically have researched this area.
Thanks
Linda
To all pet owners of Lipoma plagued animals – if you can, find yourself a holistic vet who practices homeopathy. My brother (who lives in Europe) rescues dogs from Rumania and is friends with a couple of vets. They’ve seen their share of Lipomas and treat these successfully with Homeopathy. Some of the ingredients he mentioned were the following (I don’t know where to get these here and advise NOT to play doctor yourself but let a vet who specializes in this work out a plan):
Barium carbonicum D6 (shrinks tumor)
Arnica D6 (eases pain and anti-inflammatory)
Arsenicum album D30
Thuja D30
I have a 9 year old lab who has an infiltrated Lipoma, shoulder/chest. She had surgery and it could not be removed, they took a biopsy and it was benign, I’m so glad. I’ve been trying to find a remedy myself. In the meantime, I did find a holistic vet treats Lipomas with Acupuncture and Chinese herbs, no luck finding anyone in this area with Holistic and Homeopathy. Back to the current vet, the Acupuncture did no go over well with our dog so I won’t subject her to another one even though I am a firm believer in the power of Acupuncture. Our dog freaks out going to the vet and gets all worked up, I think her mental condition is to tense to get anything out of the Acupuncture.
Check out the book “The Nature of Animal Healing” by Martin Goldstein – to summarize his treatment of Lipoma – change the dog food to some HIGH quality dog food – he believes that dogs that get lipomas has a metabolic imbalance. The goal is to establish proper metabolic function to avoid additional lipomas and to successfully treat the ones the dog has. He recommends to add L-Carnitine, Chromium Picolinate and a homeopathic preparation called Weight Off Drops. If the pet does not respond to this, he adds Vitamin B6. He also recommends Chih-ko & Curcuma (Seven Forest).
I will try to give the Chinese Herbs some more time before I try something else, the lipoma does appear to have gotten a little bit smaller (will measure the height and width once a week to monitor progress).
Good luck to all!
Christine
My 5-1/2 month Doberman female had a “lump” come up on the back of her neck/shoulder area. It got golf ball size in about a day. The vet did a needle aspiration, but said she thought she should remove it since it grew so fast. During the surgery she had to remove more tissue than she expected because it was nacrotic and had fingers running out of it everywhere. She said she had never seen anything like it before. We are still waiting on the biopsy results.
Over the New Years holidays, Durga had a bad case of hives. Our Vet was closed so I took her elsewhere and that Vet gave her a steroid shot, but initially missed and went out the other side of the skin. She developed a bad swelling at that sight and our Vet after lancing it said she had a bad staph infection. It went down quickly with antibiotics. But at that time our Vet still wasn’t sure about the cause.
Could the 2 incidences be connected? Has anyone else had this experience? Being a cancer survivor myself, I am not sure that I could put her through the treatment that I had, it would be cruel.
Hi Druga’s mom,
sounds pretty odd. Something fishy going on here. Suspicious for some systemic immune derangement, perhaps, or a defect in the skin itself leading to this stuff. Also try to have a biopsy done to rule out mast cell tumor. Do you have a blue dobie? Make sure your vet does complete blood work, urinalysis, and a culture 10-14 days after the antibiotics are done.
Best,
D
Hi Dr. Dressler, I have a 8 year old Kelpie x Border Terrier who has just been diagnosed with an agressive sarcoma (? fibrosarcoma)which was on her bottom near her anal gland. It was only partly removed as it was adhered to the bone and was extending into her pelvis, we are attending a Oncology clinic this Friday for the first time.
My question is what is the best combination for her? Not all the meds in your book are available here in Australia.
Joy, I have had some luck with a blend of:
beta-glucans
curcumin
luteolin (Lutimax)
apigenin
silymarin (milk thistle)
gingerols
glutamine
zinc
taurine
rutin
ascorbyl palmitate
mix all in lecithin and water/broth-
If you have more questions, check out the webinar:
http://dogcancerblog.com/ask
Best,
D
Durga is a red dobbie. Biopsy was negative. This is wwas what it said:
Sections os tissue w/ focal area of dense aggregates of macrophages in the dermis. These infiltrates are mixed with moderate numbers of multinucleate giant cells that often have mineralized cytoplam adn surrounding infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The lesion extends to the margins. – This is an inflammatory lesion, cause could not be determined. Possible secondary to microbial colonization, but no such organisms were seen. Possible secondary to a foreign body; but none seen. There are areas of mineralization within the mass and thus calcium cutis is another consideration.
Could this all be from the incorrectly administered prednisone shot?
Does this sound like something that will go away?
My Jack Russell Abby has liposarcoma of the right foot. Is there any combinations of supplements to shrink this type of cancer or make it go away? She is scheduled for amputation and the oncologist is stating at this point there would be 95% chance for full recovery. I would like to follow up with supplements and cancer diet to avoid a recurrence elsewhere and diminish that 5% if amputation is the only answer. Thank you for the comments regarding the lipomas and supplements to possibly shrink them. Any suggestions for the liposarcoma would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Kathleen
Hi Dr. Dressler.
Our 6 year old Black Lab has a fatty tumor on her side by her front leg. Our Vet has been watching it. Last week it grew almost twice the size. Two days later, it shrunk down smaller than it was to begin with. Have you ever heard of anything like that? Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks !
Our 12 yr. old dog has had a fatty tumor on her upper back for years. Tonight it had a huge dried blood scab hanging off to the side and when I trimmed back the hang around that area the tumor was an open sore. It has never happened before. What could have made it happen? It isn’t oozing or anything but I am worried.
My 15 1/2 year Weimaraner has a large fatty tumor under her belly. Because of her age, would you recommend surgery?
Laurie,
good question. There are a lot of factors to consider, too many to list here. I am answering this one on the webinar this week which will be recorded:
http://www.mydogvet.com
Hope you can tune in!
Dr D
Lisa,
it could be the pressure of the growth between the body weight and the floor has caused the blood supply of the skin to be cut off and the skin to die overlying the tumor.
I will address more on lipomas in this weeks recorded webinar:
http://www.mydogvet.com
Thanks!
Dr D
I have a small dog she has to lumps on her chest. They have never bothered her until she fell off the steps and ruptured one of them. This has been on going now for five weeks and I cant afford a vet right now cuz im not working. Is there anything I can do to help this. I keep it clean cuz it leaks puss out if it slowly. She is still eating ok and going to the bathroom ok. But sleeps all day and all night and that is not her. Her heartrate and breathing seem to be normal but keeps running a temp off and on. Can you help me out at all on this? Thank you
Dear Dr. Dressler,
My almost two year old Golden Retriever had a small lump removed from the back of his head (about the size of an m&m) The vet said that the cells did not look those of a typical benign tumor and sent the lump to pathology. Does this automatically mean that my boy has cancer? Are there other tumors that may have atypical cells that are not cancer? I am about to lose my mind with worry! Thanks!!!
Hi, I just found out that my Golden Retriever has Liposarcoma. I noticed when his stomach seamed to be bloated, and he was sluggish. The vets had never seen anything so rare, and still don’t know much about this. They say they completely removed it thru surgery. He is only 3 yrs old. What are his chances for a full recovery? No one can ever answer this question for me…. oh and what dog food would you rec for now on…? Thank you so much for your time =)
Hi Dr. Dressler,
I’m really intersted in purchasing your book. Looks like it has a wealth of information!
Here is my question. One of our labs has had many fatty tumors which we have had removed surgically. He is nine now and some we are leaving as they seem fatty and we don’t want to put him under for tumors that are non-threatening.
He has one that has developed under the muscle on his back left hip. It just looks like he’s a little lopsided now. Our vet said it would be very difficult to remove since it’s under the muscle. I just don’t like it there as it can continue to grow and hinder his exercise and well being.
Thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
I have a 10 month old Lab mix, and just noticed a soft, fatty spot on his side. Not quite a “lump” yet, but it feels different. It doesn’t feel attached to any muscles and moves around with his skin. He was bitten by a Pit Bull a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve noticed scabs in some places under his fur where he is still healing. Is it possible that this is just some type of abscess…or is it possible to have a tumor at such a young age?
Thank you
Hello Doctor, I have a four year chihuahua, and I was told by my vet that my dog has a fatty tumor. Should I do surgery to remove the tumor and can the tumor come back? I do not want my dog to suffer any type of surgery since she getting old.
I have a similar question to Kim. We have a nine year old English Setter mix. His fatty tumor is also under the muscle and the vet *really* didn’t want to operate as he said it would be pretty major, and seemed to feel uncertainty about the outcome. The tumor goes under the dog’s “arm”, and covers his whole ribcage. It isn’t really spreading around so much as getting larger and larger so that it is interfering with his movement. Really I know I need to take him back to the vet, but what kind of outcome do you usually see with this?
my 12yr old rottie has a lump on his front right leg the size of a grapefruit soft than hard not limping yet. took 6 months to get this far but he is not friendly.should i leave it or get help/does not seem to be in pain
Hi Doctor, My 2 yr old Golden Retriever has infiltrative lipoma in her back hund leg. The option in July given was take her leg but they may have to take so much into the hind area that she would need a cart to get around. We couldn’t do it, she shows no pain and runs and plays only thing is her right back leg shows the mass is growing. Is there anything I can try to shrink the tumor? It’s through the muscle they said but again, her quality of life is still here so I am praying I can find something to keep the tumor under control and she can live longer. The vet specialst here was very cold, said take the leg and if she can’t deal with using a cart put her down or give her to a home. I was very upset and have her on NUVET Plus tabs for months now and no change. Just looking for any options I might have to help her.
Tammy,
I have had some successes with slowing the growth of these with curcumin and luteolin. Both have blog posts here. For more details, check out the Dog Cancer Survival Guide.
Best,
Dr D
I have a 11 1/2 year old German Shepard who has developed one of those jello type fatty pockets at the rear side of his rib cage. It is right in the area where he can scratch at it with his hind leg. No one here is mentioning itching, and I am wondering if it is a normal symptom. He does not seem to be in pain or unfomfortable except the occasional itching. Just forward of this one 2″x2″, is another much smaller on which can be felt between his ribs. Would appreciate any advice.
Thank you!
Hi Doc,
I have a 6yr old yellow lab i just took her to the vet because she has about 7 bumps on her front legs and 1 on her back by her neck and 1 down by her hip the vet gave her antibiotics hoping it’s just an infection somewhere, but he also said it might be hook worm, or it can be CUTANEOUS LYMPHOSARCOMA. Out of all those what do you think? She is acting normal and eating and drinking fine but these bumps started a few months back and more keep appearing do you have any suggestions.
Dear Jennifer,
I would like to answer your question and give you a diagnosis. I wish I was that good! Sadly, nobody is able to tell you what a lump is, looking at the computer monitor. My suggestion is to get an fine needle aspirate done on the lumps, or on the lumps that seem most suspicious.
Here is more info in this subject:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/fine-needle-aspirates-to-diagnose-dog-cancer/
I hope these turn out to be easy to deal with,
Dr D
Dear Dr. My 12 year old cocker spaniel has a growth on her upper eye lid. It doesn’t seem to be bothering her. Could you advise what this could be? Thank you for your help.
Vivien
Dear Dr. Dressler,
My maltese has something in between his ribs. Right in the lower center part of his ribs is a… not a lump but more like a small flat bone ) ) ) , <—- i tried to give an example i don't know if you will be able
= to make it out but if that was his rib cage (looking at it
) ) ) ' from the bottom up) the "equal sign" is what i was concerned about is it part of his bones or is it something i should get checked out? i've felt it and it does not seem to bother him and it does not seem like its growing… also its does not feel hard like a bone its feels more like a cartilage please let me know thank you!
Next Comments →
{ 3 trackbacks }