Lumps and Bumps

As our pets age, they often develop a variety of lumps and bumps on their bodies.  Almost daily, I have clients that bring their aging pet in for examination and explanation for a bump/mass discovered on their pet.  These lumpy masses can be a variety of things, and without an examination and sometimes a biopsy I can never be entirely sure.  Because some of these bumps can be malignant cancerous tumors, they should not be ignored and you certainly should have your veterinarian check them out.  For the sake of brevity, I am going to limit today's veterinary medicine educational/informational post to Lipomas.  Mostly, because I just left surgery from removing one of these fatty masses from a nice little Schnauzer.


A lipoma is a soft, round, moveable lump or bump of fatty tissue under the skin. Because they do not cause pain, infection, or hair loss, they’re usually spotted by owners when petting or grooming their pets.

Lipomas are common in dogs and are seen occasionally cats. Lipomas are usually harmless. They grow slowly and stay in one place. The lipomas that tend to cause problems are the ones that are large, or that interfere with movement. (If the lipoma is in an area such as an armpit, it can hamper movement or become irritated by movement.)

lipoma

Lipomas occur more often in middle-aged dogs, overweight female dogs, and old cats, but some younger dogs can get lipomas. Dog breeds that are more likely to have these include cocker spaniels, dachshunds, poodles, and terriers. We don’t know what causes lipomas, but we do know that cats who have feline leukemia are a bit more likely to get lipomas than cats that do not.

Once a dog or cat has had a lipoma, it is likely to develop others. However, each new lump should be examined by your veterinarian to ensure that it is a lipoma and not a malignant growth.

Lipoma excised

Lipomas can be removed surgically. However, if your pet’s lipoma is only a cosmetic issue, your veterinarian will likely take a wait-and-watch approach. (Your veterinarian will check the lump on a regular basis to make sure it hasn’t changed.) The lipoma can be removed when your pet is scheduled for anesthesia for another issue. However, if the lipoma interferes with movement or is so large it’s irritating or bothering your pet, your veterinarian will probably recommend that the surgery be scheduled sooner rather than later.

On the lighter side (women will find this more humorous):  Several years ago, I was removing a rather large lipoma from the side of a dog.  These tumors are generally very round, and pliable (like above pic).  This tumor, once removed was approximately the nice of a B-cup silicone breast implant.  I am thinking...since human breast tissue is mostly adipose (fat) tissue...this lipoma would have made a nice sized implant!  Unfortunately, there was only one of them and I didn't want to be lop-sided!