Man’s best friend, the dog. We love our dogs, they’re family. They’re special to us, we pamper them, treat them, let them sleep inside at the end of our bed or make them posh little houses to sleep in. There is no doubting that dogs have a huge place in our hearts. It only goes along that their health is extremely important to us. So what would you do if you noticed your precious pooch had a lump on his neck? Lumps are notoriously known as a sign of cancer, a tumor that will spread and must be treated. But this isn’t the only kind of mass your pet can get.
Yes, lumps found on your pet’s body could potentially be found to be cancerous tumors. Dogs can get cancer for a number of reasons, and the potential needs your attention; as do other reasons why your pet may have a lump on their body. First, check your pup regularly for lumps or masses on the body. If you find one don’t assume it is the only one, keep examining all over the pet to check for any more. Take note of any and all irregularities. Is it soft? Is it hard? Does it cause the dog pain when you touch it? Does it seem to be bothering the dog? Is it causing restricted movement? While the lump may only be the result of a bug bite, a bump on the head, or a wart, it can also be something more serious like a skin sore, a foreign body stuck under the skin, or a cyst.
Another good measure of the mass is how old your dog is. You see, older dogs tend to get fatty tumors as they age. Fatty tumors are masses of fat that build up and congeal into a tumor like mass on the body. These generally cause little discomfort to the patient, but sometimes they are located in very inconvenient spots and can be bothersome. If you find a lump, feel it. Fatty masses are generally squishy and soft. Sometimes they grow larger and harden to form a “proper” tumor which will need to be surgically removed. Other times the mass will stay as it is and possibly dissipate on its own. Either way, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on it. Take your pet to the vet and ask for a veterinary opinion and what steps you should take. If the mass is small and soft, they’ll most likely send you home with the reassurance the mass is just fat and there really isn’t anything needed for it. Tell them if you think your pet is inconvenienced or experiencing discomfort. Otherwise, fatty tumors are normal conditions and needn’t be worried over. Just keep on an eye on it.
Cysts generally feel like very hard bulges under the skin. This could signal either a malignant or benign tumor in your pet. If you feel a hard lump under the skin of your pet, its time for a trip to the vet. There are options for pets dealing with tumors both malignant and benign; one treatment option is to remove the tumor. This is actually one of the best options, especially for a cancerous tumor. Benign tumors don’t need to be removed, but they can cause discomfort to your pet and possibly keep growing. As such, talk to your veterinarian about your pet. Describe general activities; give the pet’s history, and anything else the veterinarian asks for. They’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action as well as any risks associated with it. It is also important to note that, especially in Boxers, melanomas can occur. This is a form of skin cancer mass that is generally soft and slow growing. Melanomas are usually egg shaped and fluctuate in size. (Fogle, 1993). This can cast doubt on a soft tumor being a fatty tumor, a veterinarian can run a scan that will give you the answers. For your own sake, fatty tumors have a different feel than melanomas. You’ll be able to really push on and move around a fatty tumor. This isn’t saying you can move it from one place to another, but it feels as those you are moving the fat a little from side to side when you press on it. Fully developed fatty tumors are a little different, and harder for an untrained person to distinguish; but hopefully you’re examining your pet often enough to catch any development before it matures. Additionally, you’ll have the help of a veterinarian. Dealing with something like a cyst is a hard experience in a loved one, but you need to know what options you have and do a little research on what to expect. Don’t go into the situation blind, and make sure you’re doing the right thing for your pet.
Warts can also be a cause of lumps on the skin. There may be one or more. Warts are most commonly present in elderly dogs (1993), but of course can present themselves in dogs of any age and size. They are usually pink in color, spotted, and crusty at the roots. (Fogle, 1993). As with humans warts generally don’t cause a great deal of discomfort, however, they can be uncomfortable for you to pet. Call your veterinarian if you find a wart or warts on your pet’s body. They can most likely prescribe a treatment they will knock the warts out and leave your pet’s skin healthy and smooth once again.
Abscesses or foreign bodies stuck is the last of the explanations given here for lumps found on the skin. Abscesses can be due to a number of different factors such as allergies, excess scratching, an injury during play or any other activity, an infection. These should be treated by a veterinarian. Foreign bodies can get stuck in abscesses or in open wounds while the dog is at play or rolling around in something. Possibly even while at rest. Things like seeds, bugs, dirt, small pebbles, and the like can get into wounds and cause infection and swelling. This in turn in what you see as a mass on the skin. The object will need to be removed with medical help and should heal nicely once it has gone. If your pet has an open wound, you can prevent it from infection or infestation by cleaning the wound, applying an antibiotic ointment, and covering the wound with a light dressing. The dressing should be changed regularly and stay on until the wound is healed enough to protect itself.
Lumps and masses on your pet’s skin can be a threatening and scary find, but cancer isn’t the only rationale behind their appearance. Examine the lump thoroughly, feel it, look at the color, the shape, notice your dog’s reaction, think back to the past few days; did anything happen? Swelling and contusions are common if a pet bumped into something or played roughly with another animal. Likewise, spider bites can cause local swelling (venomous bites from spiders like Black Widows and Brown Recluses will need medical attention, but other spider bites can generally heal on their own or with a little supportive care from you). Take everything into account before you start to panic over the mass being cancerous. And always have a veterinarian look at any and all abnormalities you are unsure of. Give your loved one the best care you possibly can.
References:
Discovery Communications. (2007). Dog Guide. Retrieved April 9, 2007, from Animal Planet Website: http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/dogcare/geriatric.html
Fogle, B. (1993). ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual. DK Adult, 1st edition.
Peterson, C. (2005). “Please Oh Please Can We Get a Dog?” Wiley Publishing Inc. Hoboken, NJ.
*A special thanks to the Rosamond, CA.
