Dogs
There are primarily two types of lumps, they are benign lumps, which are not cancerous and malignant lumps which are cancerous. Like any other dog illness, it is important that you pay close attention to any lumps that appear on your dog. Keep a track of any changes to the lump. Check if it is growing at a fast rate, is it painful to touch? Have more lumps appeared? Are you noticing some other changes in your pet? These are some of the questions that your vet will ask you. So be sure to notice such things as this will help you distinguish between the various types of dog lumps.
Types of Lumps in Dogs
Warts
Warts on dogs are lumps that occur due to viral infection. These can appear anywhere on the body, from the face, limbs, torso and even inside the mouth. Older dogs are more susceptible to warts due to their weak immune system. These small round growths resemble human pimples. Dogs who have warts usually don't show any other symptom like lethargy etc. These warts don't last for a very long time and can be easily treated. The good news is that warts are benign lumps.
Abscess & Hematoma
Abscesses are pus filled growth that usually occur near injury sites on the dog. These are primarily white blood cells that surround the infection, to fight it. These too are benign lumps so one need not worry too much. Hematoma are blood filled growths that occur near injury sights. These usually occur due to a defect in the clotting system.
Lipoma
Lipomas are fatty lumps that mostly affect middle aged dogs or overweight dogs. These fatty tumors usually appear near the belly and are rarely cancerous. These lumps are slow growing but do have a tendency to become very large, in which case they have to be surgically removed.
Sebaceous cysts
Cysts are caused due to abnormalities in the skin gland. They are growths that are filled with cellular debris or fluids. These are most common type of dog lumps. These too are benign lumps.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma are unfortunately malignant lumps. These don't have a tendency to spread to other areas and are mainly destructive to the local area of its origin. These types of lumps mainly occur on short coat dogs. In most cases, these lumps can be removed surgically, otherwise chemotherapy is also quite effective.
Mast cell tumor
These are one of the most common types of malignant lumps found on dogs. Their treatment and diagnosis is quite difficult as their appearance and behavior towards the body depends from animal to animal. Mast cell occur naturally in the skin, over-production of these cells leads to this type of cancer. A fine needle aspirate carried out to collect the cells present in the lumps, can diagnose this tumor.
Treatment for Lumps
Now that you know about the types and the causes of lumps in dogs. Take a look at the available treatment and diagnosis. To diagnose lumps as malignant, vets either use a tool to suck out the cells from the lump, or if it is oozing fluids, some fluid is taken on a slide and tested. Tissue culture can also help determine whether a lump is cancerous or not. If the lump is not cancerous, the vet will either remove the lump or prescribe necessary medication. In case of cancerous lumps either chemotherapy or surgical method is used.
Discovering a lump on dogs can be quite worrisome for pet owners but it is best to keep an eye on the lump to notice any changes. Even if a lump is diagnosed as benign, it is best to keep getting it checked from time to time. As in some rare cases, benign dog lumps can become malignant.
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Mast cell tumors in dogs (mastocytoma) is one of the most common form of tumors found that a dog can be afflicted with. These tumors grow out of the mast cells which are present in the tissues of the body. Mast cell tumors also affect a lot of other...
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Dogs
Lumps on Dogs
There are primarily two types of lumps, they are benign lumps, which are not cancerous and malignant lumps which are cancerous. Like any other dog illness, it is important that you pay close attention to any lumps that appear on your dog. Keep a track of any changes to the lump. Check if it is growing at a fast rate, is it painful to touch? Have more lumps appeared? Are you noticing some other changes in your pet? These are some of the questions that your vet will ask you. So be sure to notice such things as this will help you distinguish between the various types of dog lumps.
Types of Lumps in Dogs
Warts
Warts on dogs are lumps that occur due to viral infection. These can appear anywhere on the body, from the face, limbs, torso and even inside the mouth. Older dogs are more susceptible to warts due to their weak immune system. These small round growths resemble human pimples. Dogs who have warts usually don't show any other symptom like lethargy etc. These warts don't last for a very long time and can be easily treated. The good news is that warts are benign lumps.
Abscess & Hematoma
Abscesses are pus filled growth that usually occur near injury sites on the dog. These are primarily white blood cells that surround the infection, to fight it. These too are benign lumps so one need not worry too much. Hematoma are blood filled growths that occur near injury sights. These usually occur due to a defect in the clotting system.
Lipoma
Lipomas are fatty lumps that mostly affect middle aged dogs or overweight dogs. These fatty tumors usually appear near the belly and are rarely cancerous. These lumps are slow growing but do have a tendency to become very large, in which case they have to be surgically removed.
Sebaceous cysts
Cysts are caused due to abnormalities in the skin gland. They are growths that are filled with cellular debris or fluids. These are most common type of dog lumps. These too are benign lumps.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma are unfortunately malignant lumps. These don't have a tendency to spread to other areas and are mainly destructive to the local area of its origin. These types of lumps mainly occur on short coat dogs. In most cases, these lumps can be removed surgically, otherwise chemotherapy is also quite effective.
Mast cell tumor
These are one of the most common types of malignant lumps found on dogs. Their treatment and diagnosis is quite difficult as their appearance and behavior towards the body depends from animal to animal. Mast cell occur naturally in the skin, over-production of these cells leads to this type of cancer. A fine needle aspirate carried out to collect the cells present in the lumps, can diagnose this tumor.
Treatment for Lumps
Now that you know about the types and the causes of lumps in dogs. Take a look at the available treatment and diagnosis. To diagnose lumps as malignant, vets either use a tool to suck out the cells from the lump, or if it is oozing fluids, some fluid is taken on a slide and tested. Tissue culture can also help determine whether a lump is cancerous or not. If the lump is not cancerous, the vet will either remove the lump or prescribe necessary medication. In case of cancerous lumps either chemotherapy or surgical method is used.
Discovering a lump on dogs can be quite worrisome for pet owners but it is best to keep an eye on the lump to notice any changes. Even if a lump is diagnosed as benign, it is best to keep getting it checked from time to time. As in some rare cases, benign dog lumps can become malignant.
- What Are Sebaceous Tumors, And Is Your Dog At Risk?
By Suzanne Alicie If you have dogs, you’ve probably heard what sounds like a terribly frightening name for a condition that is common in dogs. Sebaceous tumors are known by a few different names: sebaceous gland cysts, sebaceous cysts, benign sebaceous...
- Cancerous Moles On Dogs
While the presence of moles on dogs is natural, the appearance of new ones is definitely a matter of concern considering that some of these are cancerous in nature. In some cases, the presence of these hard lumps or moles is an indicator of skin...
- Lipoma Removal In Dogs
Lipoma is a soft and pliable concentration of fat below the dog's skin which can occur in varied sizes. These are not painful and very rarely, can become harmful for dog's health. Lipoma are commonly found in older and overweight dogs, though...
- Mast Cell Tumors In Dogs
Mast cell tumors in dogs (mastocytoma) is one of the most common form of tumors found that a dog can be afflicted with. These tumors grow out of the mast cells which are present in the tissues of the body. Mast cell tumors also affect a lot of other...
- Fatty Tumors In Dogs
It is not uncommon for overweight dogs to develop lumps in their bodies. Sometimes, these lumps may be malignant. That's why, as a dog owner, you have to carefully check his body on a regular basis for any abnormal tissue growth. Fatty tumors...