My 12-year-old Lab has a chest lump and cough. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. It could also be an enlarged lymph node. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and best wishes!

Having a cough when excited would make me concerned that her heart or lungs are not functioning correctly. It could something as mild as a lingering infection or as severe as lung cancer or heart failure. In terms of the lumps and bumps, those sound like masses, which could be cancerous or benign. She needs to go to the vet for an exam and chest x-rays, and then the masses can be sampled to determine if they are concerning once you know how severe the issue in her chest is. Hoping you get some good news.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian has she has several issues. It is unlikely that the cough is related to the bump on her leg. She could have a respiratory tract infection, allergies, collapsing trachea, heart disease or a variety of other issues causing the cough. As for the bump, a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate is typically performed. The veterinarian will use a small needle to collect a sample of cells from the bump to evaluate under the microscope. This helps to determine if any treatment is needed. I hope this information helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. The accidents in the house are unlikely to be related to the mass. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi Rob! With a dog Captain Rob's age, there is always a concern that any lump could be malignant. Given that this lump is more firm and stuck to his chest wall, that makes it even more concerning. This is something that should be checked out by a vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump (no anesthesia required) to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. I'd have him seen by a vet next week. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

This could simply be a benign tumor, but it a dog Tucker's age, there is a chance it could be malignant. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. Best of luck.