My dog has a lump. What is it and can I wait until Monday for the vet?

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 visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I can imagine what this looks like based on your description, although a picture attachment would have been even more helpful. It sounds like your pet has a skin mass, which typically is not an emergency type of situation, especially if it isn’t bleeding or causing immense pain or discomfort for your pet. Having the mass evaluated on Monday is perfectly logical. The vet will gather samples of the mass and send it off for anlalgsis through the lab to see if this is a mass that will require surgical removal or not. I hope things work out well for your pet. Best wishes and take care.

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 him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. This is unlikely to be an emergency so it is ok to go to the veterinarian on Saturday unless something changes with him at home and she does not appear to be doing well at some point. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like it could be a small abscess like lesion or a focal infection. Either way, this is likely to resolve with local treatment if the infection is confirmed. I think it would be ok to wait until next week as long as it starts resolving and healing on its own as sometimes these do resolve again if that is what it is. If this continues to worsen or progresses or it is not healing, it would be indicated to have him seen sooner. Good luck and best wishes!

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!

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 him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I suspect this is a granuloma or a skin mass. A visit at your local vets is recommended to make the definite diagnosis and to start treatment for your dog. Your vet may have to take a needle aspirate from the lump to find out what kind of growth it is. Alternatively, treatment with steroids and antiseptic solution could be trialed first. If the growth responds to the treatment, it would strongly point towards the diagnosis of granuloma.