Ask The Vet: Lumps and Bumps (and when to do something about it)
Dr. Kitchen, DVM:
Found a lump on your pet and immediately spiraled? You're not alone — and Dr. Kitchen is here to help. Our very own CAMP veterinarian breaks down exactly what to do when you discover a bump on your furry family member, from staying calm to knowing when to act.
What should you do when you feel a lump or bump on your dog or cat?
Don't panic. Don't be miserable in advance. We don't know what the lump is yet so no need to worry until we know there is something to worry about.
DO take action. Don't wait to have it checked out. Many masses are benign (harmless) but any mass can be malignant (cancerous). In general, masses that are large (approaching 1cm or more), rapidly growing, and changing, are more concerning. If it is a malignant cancer, delays in diagnosis and treatment make it more likely to spread locally or to distant organs before removal. Larger masses make surgical removal much more difficult, if not impossible, even for benign masses.
How do we find out what it is? At your visit, we will likely suggest one of two things.
Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) with Cytology. This is a very simple procedure where a sample of cells is collected with a needle and put onto a simple microscope slide to view under the microscope or send to the lab for the pathologist to view under the microscope. This is very simple and is the most common first step. There are some limitations however, which warrant biopsy instead.
Biopsy. Sometimes we cannot get a diagnostic sample from FNA. This can be because of the location, such as a mass on a nose that tends to bleed when you aspirate it, diluting the cells so you cannot see them. Or, due to the type of tumor. Some tumor's cells stick very tightly together and we don't see the cells on the slide. There are different types of biopsy.
Incisional- we don't remove the whole mass but take a small piece so we can determine an optimal surgical plan.
Excisional- we remove the entire mass and send it to the lab for analysis. If the mass is very small (less than 8mm) we can sometimes do this with simple sedation and a punch biopsy.
Pre-anesthetic blood and urine tests- if we are going to pursue surgery, this is a standard precaution to ensure your pet is healthy for anesthesia.
Treatment - Depending on the mass type, location, and your pet's general health there are a few options.
Monitoring- if the mass is confirmed benign and is small and not growing, monitoring at annual exams may be sufficient.
Surgery- As the oncologists say, "a chance to cut is a chance to cure". It is easier, and less expensive, to get complete removal when the tumor is small. However even large tumors can be removed if they are in the right location. We will assess this at your first visit.
Palliative care- For many reasons, sometimes surgery is not possible or recommended. In these cases we focus on reducing any negative effects of the tumor and comfort for your pet.
🐾 Think your pet may have a lump or bump? CAMP is here to help — book your wellness exam today.
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