My 13-year-old dog has sore, growing lumps. Are they cancer?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 17th, 2020

  That's a great question! Unfortunately, as pets age, lumps and bumps seem to occur more and more frequently. Bessie should be seen by your vet to have the lumps assessed and to form a treatment plan. Without further testing, there is no way to tell if these bumps are due to infection, trauma or allergy, or if they are masses. Masses can be of a malignant (cancerous) type that can spread elsewhere and/ or invade the healthy tissue around them, or a more benign (noncancerous) type that is unlikely to spread. Cancerous types of masses are less common than benign ones, but I recommend making an appointment for Bessie to see your vet to have the growths tested and to guide treatment. Your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate, which is where cells are removed from the growth using a needle and sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope to determine what the lump is and to guide treatment. If the lumps are getting bigger, seem painful, or have any discharge or blood, please get Bessie to a vet right away. If she is licking at them, please put an e-collar (cone) on her to help reduce the risk of her injuring herself or causing infection.
  

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on April 15th, 2019

  This could be hives, but it could be something else such as a cyst, lipoma, benign tumor, or malignant tumor. I'm most concerned about the large one that has grown rapidly. 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. Please take Kahne into a vet in the morning. Best of luck.

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on April 20th, 2018

  Wow, that is quite large on Tiny! In a dog his age, I would be very concerned that is a malignant tumor. Unfortunately those can be common in senior dogs. This is something that needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible, as if it's a malignant tumor, there is a good chance it can spread. It likely will also need to be removed surgically. Please take him into a vet first thing in the morning. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

  

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