My dog has a stomach lump. What could it be? Should I be worried?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on November 1st, 2016

  I seee that Sam is not spayed. A lump on her abdomen could be a hernia , inflamed mammary gland, cyst, abscess or, more likely, a mammary tumor or a fatty tumor. A mammary tumor can be benign or malignant or mixed. It is usually best to have it removed, i.e. have all the glands removed on the side where the tumor is. However at 13 years of age, and depending on the size of the mass, your veterinarian may decide just to do a lumpectomy. Fatty tumors are usually benign and ,, unless they cause a problem, we usually leave them alone. I suggest you have Sam examined by your veterinarian. He may want to do a biopsy of the mass, or a fine needle aspirate ( where an injection needle is inserted into the mass and cell material is aspirated and examined under the microscope). In case of a mammary tumor he will also want to do chest x-rays to make sure there are no metastases in the lungs. Abscesses and cysts can be evacuated or lanced if necessary and a hernia can be fixed surgically . Please make an appointment with your vet soon.

  

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• Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 23rd, 2017

  This mass could be an injury, , an inflamed mammary gland, or a mammary tumor. Please take Shanty to your veterinarian for an exam. If it is an injury or inflamed mammary gland or an abscess, she will need prescription antibiotics. In case of a tumor, your veterinarian will likely do a fine needle aspirate which he can examine under the microscope. A tumor will need to be removed surgically.

  

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• Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

  Veterinarian

  Published on February 19th, 2017

  This lump on Maggie could be a cyst, an abscess, a lipoma, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. Unfortunately in a senior lab, a malignant tumor is always a possibility. 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 it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Maggie seen by a vet on Monday to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated if needed.

  

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