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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | spayed | 16 years old | 40 lbs
An ultrasound showed my 15.5 year old female golden retriever mix with an "irregular mass" in the small intestine( jejunum )very close to perforating through the intestinal wall. Amber's chest X-rays and blood panel were normal. She recently lost some weight and had some red tint in her stool, but without a biopsy the Dr. is not certain the mass is malignant. Question: Do benign intestinal masses ever threaten wall perforation or do only malignant tumors act so aggressively ? Thanks-desperate
2 Answers

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on October 11th, 2018
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on October 11th, 2018
HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
I am so sorry for your loss! I think that is the mass was threatening the intestinal wall it doesn't matter if it was benign for cancerous. That both would equally cause perforation. I would say that cancerous growths grow faster so they would likely perforate sooner than a benign one. I don't think we have good data on percentages really. I know it hurts losing her but I would trust your Vet's advice and try to focus on your good memories. The pain will lessen over time but a piece of your heart always leaves with them.
Let me know if I can help with anything else
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