My dog's growing, itchy lump is bothering him. Should it be removed?

I am assuming that your vet did a needle aspirate and wasn't able to get a diagnosis. The only way to know the cause of the lumps would be to remove them and submit to a lab for biopsy. As long as he is otherwise healthy then the risk of anesthesia is low. If he needs a dental cleaning then your vet could do both at the same time. If you don't want to have them removed then you could monitor for a month or so and see how the lumps change. If they are growing then they really should be removed.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If the lum has not gotten bigger and remains stable in size and character, I think it is safe to wait until the 18th for removal. Your veterinarian is likely concerned the mass is cancerous. Therefore she is likely recommending removal for a better diagnosis. It really could be anything, from an infected cancerous mass or an infected benign mass. Removal of the mass and sending it for histopathology would be the gold standard for diagnosis and prognosis.

Yes, typically lumps can be removed. Given that it has gotten bigger on Casino, it would be best to have the lump diagnosed and removed. It could be a cyst, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. I would take Casino into he vet tomorrow if possible.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You should definitely bring the lumps to your vet's attention on Thursday. As Beau will already be under anesthesia, which is usually the bulk of the cost of the procedure, it may be wise to have the lumps removed at the same time. Your vet can also take a fine needle aspirate, or a small sample of cells, if you elect not to have the lumps removed completely. I hope all goes well for Beau on Thursday!

I suspect your veterinarian is correct. When masses get to the point that they begin to ooze or break open, they need to be removed, even if they are not cancerous. Masses can outgrow their blood supply and this can be a reason to see that oozing. Masses can also get infected and this could cause that oozing. I recommend to play it safe and have Brian examined by his veterinarian today to make sure antibiotics are not needed. Make sure to protect the masses from itching, scratching or rubbing. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor girl. Because this mass is open and seems to be bothering her I would highly consider having this mass removed surgically. Sometimes if the mass is small (less than 2 cm's) we can do a sedative on the pet and quickly remove these. However if it is a larger mass then general anesthesia may be required. She also needs to be placed on oral antibiotics to keep this area from getting infected and daily cleaning of the mass as well. Sterile saline flushes can help keep this area relatively clean and then an e-collar placed on her can help prevent licking. If surgery isn't an option for you, then medical management with antibiotics, e-collar and regular cleanings may allow proper healing of the area, but in most cases surgical removal is the best option. Best of luck!

If the mass has changed in size, colour or texture then yes, removal and biopsy is recommended immediately. If not, you could opt to monitor closely but be cautious it may change quickly and become difficult to remove or he may develop other complicating factors such as kidney disease or other conditions which may make anaesthetic less safe than it is at the moment. Biopsy of a small mass is a minor procedure with minimal risk of complications other than the small risk which accompanies all anaesthetics