Diagnosing a Lump on My Dog
“What should I do if I find a lump on my dog?” Its a common question pet parents ask. The best thing you can do if you discover a bump on your dog is to schedule an appointment with the vet. While Dr. Google provides a wealth of pet health information, its easy to go down a rabbit hole of misinformation and panic. Instead, go straight to the expert. Even if your dog is due for an exam in a few months, dont wait. Even noncancerous masses can worsen and get infected if you wait too long to bring your dog in for treatment.
Your vet will need to take some tests to accurately diagnose your dogs lump. They may recommend a fine needle aspirate and cytology — one of the least invasive procedures to evaluate a lump or bump, during which a vet uses a small needle to collect cells. The cells are placed on glass slides and stained for microscopic review. Depending on the type of mass, the vet may be able to diagnose it quickly. Or, your vet may send out the slides to a laboratory to have them reviewed by a specialist.
While a fine needle aspirate is usually helpful, in some cases, with particular types of masses, your vet may need to take a larger biopsy and excise tissue with a scalpel or punch blade. This is a more invasive procedure than a fine needle aspirate and might require sedation or anesthesia. However, biopsies are usually performed at a vets office and your dog should be able to return home the same day.
How Do I Monitor a Bump on My Dog?
Skin tumors are the most commonly seen tumor in dogs, reports the Merck Veterinary Manual. By regularly examining your dogs skin, you can take a lead role in caring for their health. Establish a weekly routine of inspecting your dog from the tip of their nose to the end of their tail. Make sure to hone in on commonly overlooked spots, like between the toes, under the tail and even in your dogs mouth — if theyre cooperative. Chances are your pooch will enjoy these extra pets and rubs.
If you find a mass on your dog, make sure to note where it is, and not just mentally. Grab your phone to snap a quick photo or two. A dogs lumps and bumps can change over time, and keeping a log of their locations and sizes will help your vet more effectively manage your dogs health.
What to Do If You Find a Lump or Bump on Your Dog
When you find a growth on your dog, have your vet do a physical exam. It’s helpful to note the location of the lesion, how long it’s been there, any changes that have occurred since you first noticed it, and whether your dog seems bothered by the growth.
Is this Lump Serious? 5 Steps to Know
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What is that strange bump on your dog? Discovering a skin lump or bump on your dog can set your mind reeling and heart racing, but there’s no need to panic. A bump on your dog doesn’t automatically mean cancer. While skin bumps and strange lumps on dogs should always be taken seriously, certain types of bumps are more common than you might think, and they’re often harmless.