Your pup is your best friend — so when you notice a new lump or bump on your dog’s skin (or elsewhere), it’s natural to feel worried. Try not to jump to conclusions too quickly, though: there’s always a chance that a growth is harmless. To learn more, Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s Chief Veterinary Officer and Director of Veterinary Affairs, walked us through the different types of lumps and bumps on dogs and what they mean.
If you find a new lump on your dog, the first thing you should do is check in with your veterinarian. Some common causes of lumps and bumps on dogs are:
If the lump is accompanied by signs of sickness, it could mean your dog is experiencing an internal illness, like tumors, swollen lymph nodes or thyroid cancer. Symptoms of an internal illness may include:
A lump can often be identified by where it develops on your dog’s body — here are some examples:
Papillomas are contagious bumps (similar to warts) that develop on top of the skin around dogs’ mouths and lips.
No matter the lump, it’s always a smart move to contact your vet. Sometimes lumps can appear on dogs overnight — if they don’t seem to bother your pet, you can monitor the growth at home until your next vet visit. But, if your dog starts licking or scratching the bump, or it changes in appearance, contact your vet as soon as possible. If the lump has been around for a while and doesn’t seem to bother your dog or change, keep an eye on the growth and check in with your vet at the next appointment.
If the growth does start to change, there are some key differences you should watch out for:
You should always get your pup’s lumps tested to be sure they’re not spreading, limiting your dog’s movement or about to rupture. Your vet will know the best plan of action. Some common tests include:
How your vet treats a mass depends on if it’s cancerous or noncancerous. Some masses heal on their own, while others need to be surgically removed or undergo chemotherapy or radiation.
To determine whether your dog’s lump is cancerous, you’ll need to head to the vet for a checkup. Depending on the results, your veterinarian will work with your dog to determine the next steps or might refer you to an oncologist. Here’s a bit more about cancerous tumors in dogs that can be felt or seen by the naked eye:
It's impossible to predict when your dog will develop a new lump or bump, which is why we recommend enrolling in a dog insurance plan with comprehensive coverage early. That way, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you can focus on your pet's treatment plan without stressing about vet bills.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
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