As a pet parent, we may sometimes find a new lump or bump on our canine companion. While not all lumps and bumps are dangerous, understanding them is still key for our dog’s health.
Generally, it is recommended for pet owners to visit a veterinarian upon identifying a lump or bump, as only an accurate diagnosis can determine if the lump or bump is cause for concern. Here, we cover the different types of common lumps and bumps, what to look out for, and the diagnosis process that would likely be carried out by your veterinarian.
Generally, lumps and bumps can be categorised into two categories: Benign (non-cancerous) or Malignant (cancerous).
Benign lumps can develop as a part of the aging process, and may commonly appear as cysts, warts, abscesses, histiocytomas, or papules.
Lipomas or fatty tumors
One of the more common types of benign tumours are lipomas, which usually develops for older, overweight dogs. They are a mass of fat cells under normal skin, and are often soft, round, and movable. Most often, lipomas are not something you need to worry about, but it is still a good idea to monitor its growth and observe its impact on your dog’s life. If the lipoma grows quickly or affects your dog’s ability to move, it may need to be removed.
Sebaceous cysts
Like pimples, a sebaceous cyst is a blocked oil gland on your dog. Often, these also go away on their own - either shrinking or popping in time. Never attempt to pop a cyst for your dog on your own, as there is a higher chance of unnecessary irritation or infection. Instead, simply monitor the cyst, and if it grows rapidly without popping, check in with your vet.
Abscesses
An abscess is a swelling caused by pus that builds up under the skin, and always requires treatment by a veterinarian. If not cared for quickly, it can be painful to your dog, so it is typically advised to visit the veterinarian to drain the pus safely and prescribe antibiotics as necessary.
Warts
Warts are small bumps on a dog’s skin - with a similar texture to cauliflower - and can be caused by many factors from viral infections to vaccinations. In younger dogs, the warts often appear in and around the mouth (also known as papilloma), and go away with time as their immune system matures. In older dogs, removal of warts by the veterinarian may be needed. To be safe, you can always get your dog’s warts checked out.
Histiocytoma or Button Tumors
Histiocytomas are red, fleshy, non-cancerous tumors common in younger dogs less than two-years-old. They are usually found on the front half of a dog’s body, and are the result of a buildup of excess immune cells pressing into the skin. Most often, histiocytomas get bigger and seem more irritated before eventually going away on their own. If your pup starts to get irritated by it or bites and scratches it, you may also discuss a surgical removal with your veterinarian.
Papules
Lastly, papules are small bumps that usually develop around a hair follicle, due to an allergic reaction or because of a minor infection. They usually go away on their own after the allergen is removed, but you may also get an allergy test by a veterinarian to identify the allergen that caused the papule.
Beyond benign lumps, there are malicious variations - which like for humans - can be defined as cancerous growths that invade tissue and spread to other organs. Often, the appearance of these lumps come with significant accompanying symptoms, such as changes in appetite, lethargy, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea, and thus need stronger treatments or removal.
Mast cell tumours
The most common malignant tumors for dogs are mast cell tumours, which account for ~16-21% of all skin tumours. They often affect older dogs but can also occur in dogs of any age — even puppies. These lumps typically develop on the skin and can be extremely itchy, resulting in a tendency to bleed. Most often, surgical removal is necessary. If the tumor regrows or spreads, other treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, may be used.
Lymphoma
On the other hand, lymphoma is a type of cancer that commonly affects lymph tissues, such as the lymph nodes and the spleen. It can look like red patches, or raised and ulcerated areas, and often grows quickly, spreading to other parts of the body. For treatment, surgical removal, chemotherapy, or radiation, can be done separately or combined. These treatments may improve the symptoms of the disease but do not lengthen the dog’s life expectancy.
Basal cell carcinoma
Basal cell carcinomas are flattened or raised growths that can appear anywhere on the body of an older dog. They may spread to surrounding skin, forming new ulcerations. Surgical removal is recommended.
Malignant Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is another type of cancer that older dogs often experience, with the lumps and bumps developing on the lips, mouth, and nail beds for male dogs. They appear as raised, ulcerated lumps that may be dark, light gray, or pink, and grow quickly, potentially spreading to other organs. Usually, surgical removal is necessary. Veterinarians may also recommend a vaccine that helps to shrink the size of the tumor to prolong your dog’s life expectancy.
Other cancerous tumours
Other common cancerous tumours to look out for would include: soft tissue sarcoma (a type of cancerous lump that forms within soft tissues such as muscles, tendon, and fat), osteosarcoma (a type of cancerous lump that forms on a dog’s bone), and fibrosarcomas (fast-growing malignant tumors that mostly appear on a dog’s trunk and legs, and vary in appearance and size).
The thing about lumps and bumps, is that to the untrained eye, it can often be hard to tell its exact nature, which is why a visit to the veterinarian upon discovery is still often recommended.
At the veterinarian, a thorough physical examination will be conducted to determine the lump’s exact nature, with details such as how the lump feels, its shape and size, its color, and how long its been there and more noted down. If you have taken a series of photographs documenting the change in measurement, that would also be ideal.
A sample of cells may then be collected and evaluated under a microscope for accurate diagnosis. A Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) may be conducted using a small syringe/needle to take a sample of cells, or a biopsy, which involves the surgical removal of a small tissue sample under anaesthesia. Imaging, blood work, and urinalysis may also be conducted for further analysis.
After diagnosis, your veterinarian will then determine a suitable treatment plan (if necessary) for your dog. Treatment options may vary from simply monitoring for changes to laser treatments, surgical removal, or chemotherapy and radiation.
By promptly working with your veterinarian to get an accurate diagnosis for your dog’s lumps and bumps, you’ll be best equipped to decide the best fit treatment plan for your canine companion. While lumps don’t always have to cause panic, it is always better to be safe than sorry. To ensure your dog remains in the pink of health, even if you feel confident that your dog’s lump is the kind that will go away on its own, it doesn’t hurt to give your vet a call.
https://www.petmd.com/dog/symptoms/lumps-bumps-and-cysts-dogs
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-to-tell-dog-lump-cancerous
https://www.imprimedicine.com/blog/lumps-on-dogs
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6631885/
Jinghui Lean
