My dog has an inconclusive neck mass. Is a 2-week surgery wait safe?

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.

It is always ideal to address masses fairly quickly because there is a chance that Slider's mass may grow or spread in the next 5 weeks if it is malignant. Fortunately, half of mammary masses in dogs are benign. If you are unable to have the surgery performed until 8/21, it is unlikely to be of a significant concern. Simply monitor the mass for changes, including growth, ulceration, or irritation, and call your vet if any changes are observed. I hope that all goes well!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In my opinion Liko is a bit old to get a histiocytoma. They tend to occur in dogs 3 years or younger, maybe 5 years. To me it looks like a sebaceous adenoma, which are also benign. I think it is fine to wait another 10 days as long as it isn't growing at a super fast rate. I hope this helps and I wish you and Liko the best!

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. This appears to be a skin mass. As long as it isn't bothering Chinook, it's ok to wait until Monday to get this area tested through your vet. Best case scenario is that this is a benign tumor that isn't of concern for your pet. Best wishes and take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Precious! Usually biopsy samples take 7 business days to come back, sometimes a day or so sooner. Sadly many masses can look the same even benign and cancerous ones. Possibilities are: mast cell tumor, hemangioma and may other things. I think it is a good idea to get the mass removed so you know what it is and whether you have to worry pat the surgery. I wish Precious the best!

Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Gucci! Given that this mass has been there for a year, even though it hasn't grown, and her health is so important, I think it would be fine to have an FNA done on it. It would give you peace of mind knowing what this mass is, and it can be treated if needed. While I agree with your vet that you can wait to see if it grows, I also believe in making the owners feel more comfortable and I think you would feel more comfortable to have a diagnosis of it. You can speak to your vet about having an FNA done on it this week. I hope this helps!

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!