Dog's neck lump keeps returning. Is surgery the right choice?

I highly recommend removal especially since the salivary gland is that large. I would have a consult with a boarded surgeon and see their opinion but I would not hesitate removing it in Spike. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello and welcome back! From the picture, that appears to be most consistent with a foreign body/object. I would be concerned about a grass seed present. Having surgery to open up the space and have it explored would be my recommendation. I think a steroid spray is very unlikely to fix it, as it doesn't appear to be an allergy. Does it go away when you give antibiotics and return after they stop? If yes, then a foreign object is even more likely. Another possibility based on how it looks, and a history of changing sizes, is a Mast Cell Tumor. With these however they don't go away, they just become swollen and inflammed and then go back down to normal size. I recommend either surgical explore, or a biopsy. Best of luck with Ringo.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend having this surgically removed and then send out the actual tissue sample for a definitive diagnosis. The test to have the slide interpreted and also to have the tissue sample interpreted are the exact same cost typically or very close in price, which is typically over $300. Why spend that much to have a slide interpreted when you can just have it removed and get a more definitive answer with an actual tissue sample being interpreted? The needle aspirate test is great but unfortunately it does not provide one with a definitive diagnosis. Since this is near a mammary gland I would want to know for sure what this is. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bailey. It is good that her new veterinarian properly diagnosed the mass. Most aggressive types of skin cancer grow very rapidly. The fact that her mass did not, is a good sign. Furthermore, it is also good that the mass is not attached to deep underlying tissues. This will make the removal easier. It is will also make it more likely for the mass to be entirely removed. I recommend having the mass submitted to a pathologist for review after it is removed. This is will give you an accurate diagnosis and what you expect for her going forward. I hope this information helps. Good luck!

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!

Hello. I am so sorry for this diagnosis. Diagnostic tests are often very helpful, but sometimes you need to get an actual biopsy to really tell what is going on, & nothing is a substitute for a surgeon getting his eyes on a situation. Yes, it is expensive, a scary to think about surgery, but If this is something really serious, & there is a possibility that surgery can be at least partially curative, then you may have many good years with her. You might want to check out Care Credit ( https://carecredit.com ) which is a medical credit charge that can has some favorable rates to pay off an expensive procedure. I know whatever you decide, it will be best for you & Baylee. Good luck & thanks for contacting PetCoach.

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.