My dog has a lump under her ribs. Should I wait for the vet?

This could be a cyst or a benign tumor. 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. I would give Lily's vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment. Best of luck.

unfortunately it is very hard to tell what a bump is without an aspirate. An aspirate is where your vet puts a very small needle into the mass and looks at the cells under a microscope. I would recommend having this done for Millie that way you know for sure if it needs surgically removed. Typically in young dogs they will get non cancerous growth like lipomas or cyst that will either stay the same or grow. Typically they do not need surgical removal unless they are causing the patient discomfort.

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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. 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 have a good day!

As long as she is otherwise acting ok, it is not growing rapidly, and/or has a discharge then you could wait and take her this weekend. Your vet can do a needle aspirate to help determine the cause and determine if the lump needs to be removed or treated.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Pupsie! The growth is very large and I worry about the location. Since she isn't spayed I worry that the mass is associated with a mammary gland. Mammary gland masses can be cancerous or benign. The growth could also be a lipoma (fatty deposit) or a cyst. I highly recommend getting her in to your Vet to have it evaluated. Your Vet can discuss whether aspirating it is worth while or you should just schedule to have to removed and biopsied. I wish you and Pupsie the very best!

As long as Berry seems to be eating, drinking and acting normally without any signs of discomfort, you should not need to take her to an emergency vet today and can wait to go to your local vet tomorrow. However, if Berry is bothered by the mass, licking at it, or otherwise feeling unwell, she should be evaluated today. The mass could be due to an abscess, benign or malignant mass, cyst, etc. The vet will be able to draw out a sample of cells for microscopic examination so that the best course of treatment can be determined. I hope that all goes well!