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What do I do if I find lumps on my dog?

November 11, 2023

In this edition of Q&A with Dr. Q., we shed some light on a topic that might confuse and worry some dog owners. If you find a strange lump on your dog, do you wonder why it occurs or what to do next?

Believe it or not, finding little lumps or bumps on your dog can be pretty common. It's not necessarily something to worry about, but it's important to check with your vet early on.

In a lot of cases, these lumps can simply be benign, fatty deposits. This occurs in a lot of dogs, particularly large breeds. In some cases, though, it can be a cancerous mass, which will need to be removed promptly to prevent further health concerns for your dog. Your vet may want to biopsy the lump, or take a needle to draw some mass out of it, to get tested. Alternatively, they may suggest to get it removed right away, which will require your dog to be anaesthetized. Surgically removing the lump might be costly, but can save the cost of doing a biopsy if the results indicate it'll need to be removed anyway. Also, if you find your dog licking or biting at the lump, you can save them discomfort and stress by removing the lump.

The bottom line is that finding a lump on your dog isn't the end of the world, but at the same time it shouldn't be taken lightly! Even younger dogs of two or three years of age can develop cancerous tumours. Give yourself and your pooch peace of mind and get those lumps checked out!

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