Each of us who has a pet knows how great is the concern for its health. We often worry a lot about completely harmless things. We are especially afraid of growths or lumps on the dog. Today we will write about possible diseases when it comes to lumps in your dog. Some lumps on your dog can be simply caused by an inflamed hair follicle, while some are even the result of some kind of tumor. First of all, don’t panic!
If we discover a lump on our pet, the first thing we should do is consult a veterinarian. Certain analysis will give us more information about what it is. Many of the tumors are benign and can be treated with appropriate therapy.
Skin tumors are the most common tumors in dogs, and with regular checkups and examinations, they can be easily detected. At home, we can perform a skin examination ourselves immediately after bathing our pet, from the head to the tip of the tail. Pay special attention to less visible areas such as between the toes, under the tail and even in the dog’s mouth.
If you notice a change, be sure to note where it is, as well as its shape, color and size. All of the information will help the veterinarian make a definitive diagnosis.
Lately, I have often resorted to “Dr. Google” for initial information and first aid. However, we do not advise you to do this. Most of the time, this type of research leads to panic and a mountain of misinformation. Therefore, we advise you to have your only and first consultation with an expert. This way, we can avoid unnecessary worries.
Regardless of what information you receive, even if it is not from an expert, you should act immediately. There are known cases when harmless lumps later became a real nightmare for the animal and the owner. Even harmless lumps are prone to infection.
Some of the methods used by veterinarians are fine needle aspiration and cytology. These procedures are among the “easier” procedures, after which a much shorter recovery time is required.
What do these procedures look like?
The veterinarian uses a small needle to remove the cells. The cells are placed on glass slides and stained for microscopic examination. Depending on the nature of the mass, the veterinarian may make a quick diagnosis or send the slides to a laboratory for examination by a specialist.
For tumors where we are not quite sure what the tumor is, the veterinarian will take a biopsy of the tissue.
This is a more invasive procedure than fine needle aspiration and may require sedation or anesthesia. However, the biopsy is usually performed in the veterinarian’s office, and your dog should be able to go home the same day.
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Lumps or bumps can often be divided into two categories: Skin growths and tumors.
A skin growth is a benign (non-cancerous) lump of tissue that protrudes from the surrounding skin. The following are some of the most common skin growths in dogs:
Abscesses are lumps that form as a result of infection from a bite, wound, or foreign body. They are often painful and may contain large amounts of blood and pus, with the possibility of bursting.
Apocrine cysts are caused by the blockage of skin glands. They can be thought of as human pimples. They can also burst, which often helps clear them.
Hematomas occur when blood accumulates under the skin after trauma. This can also be painful for your dog.
After the injection, your dog may get a small bump under the skin. They can be tender, but often go away within days or weeks.
Hives are an itchy, swollen area of skin caused by an allergic reaction. Other types of bumps can be caused by different types of allergic reactions.
Types of skin tumors in dogs
A tumor, simply put, is a mass of tissue that results from the accumulation of abnormal cells. Read on to learn more about the different types of tumors and where they can form on your dog’s body:
Histiocytomas: These small, hard, dome-shaped, benign growths often appear on the head, earlobes or legs of younger dogs. They can often disappear without treatment.
Lipomas: These benign tumors consist of soft and smooth clumps of fat cells that can grow very large. They occur mainly on the chest, abdomen and front legs.
Sebaceous gland hyperplasia: This type of tumor occurs when the glands that secrete sebum (the oily substance that lubricates your dog’s skin) grow rapidly.