As pet owners, we often notice lumps or bumps on our furry friends, and understandably, it can be a cause for concern.
While not all lumps are cause for alarm, it’s essential to understand when to seek veterinary advice and what potential causes might be.
Types of Lumps
- Benign Growths: These include lipomas (fatty tumours), cysts, and harmless skin tags. They are typically soft to the touch and moveable under the skin.
- Malignant Tumours: These are cancerous growths that can vary in aggressiveness. They may grow rapidly, change in size or shape, and sometimes ulcerate or bleed.
- Abscesses: These are localised infections that can appear as painful, swollen areas under the skin.
If you find a lump on your pet that you are worried about please book an appointment with one of our vets. They will perform a thorough examination of the lump and may recommend a fine needle aspirate (FNA) to determine its nature. An FNA involves using a thin needle to collect a small sample of cells from the lump. The sample is then placed on a microscope slide for examination, either in-house or by a veterinary pathologist at an external laboratory. The procedure is quick, often done during a routine appointment, and typically does not require sedation unless the lump is in a sensitive area. In some cases, a biopsy or further imaging (like ultrasound or X-rays) may be recommended.
Treatment options depend on the diagnosis but may include surgical removal, medications, or simple monitoring for benign growths.
