My dog has a testicular tumor and belly lump. Is surgery needed?

This depends on whether the mass is on the scrotal skin or actually on the testicle itself. If a tumor is on the testicle then the whole testicle should be removed. If it is on the skin then the testicle does not need to be removed, but sometimes this is a hard area to perform a wide excision without removing the whole scrotum. Your dog is very young, has this mass been confirmed as a tumor by non invasive means first, like a needle aspirate? Given the age investigating in a non invasive way prior to any invasive treatment is recommended. As well, if a tumor is diagnosed, then staging to make sure there is no spread would be important prior to surgery. Also, if your pet does have a tumor then breeding a pet with a history of a tumor is not recommended. Consultation with a boarded veterinary oncologist and/or boarded veterinary surgeon in your area may be helpful before making a final treatment plan. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes, I recommend neutering and removing both testicles. This can be a genetic problem so you don’t want to breed him. The testicle that is in the abdomen has an increased chance of developing testicular cancer in the future so removing now is best. This surgery is more like spaying a female dog, with only a slightly longer recovery than a typical male dog neuter. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rex.

What you describe that your vet said is an abdominal hernia. It is a small hole in the muscles that hole the guts inside the body and allows loops of small intestine or other organs to fall through. That is quite possible. Another possibility would be a large, fatty tumor (lipoma) or other tumor. The only way to know for sure is to do diagnostics and an exam with a vet. In any case, I would recommend getting it fixed. If there are intestines in there, they are at risk of reduced blood supply, which would require emergency surgery. If it is a tumor, even a benign one, it can continue to get larger and outgrow its blood supply, again requiring extensive surgery. The wounds on the mass right now are likely caused from normal movement and Karat simply laying down on it. It is a reason I recommend having it dealt with now before things get worse.

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!

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.

It is possible that a hernia might have formed where the testicle was previously removed. Or this could be a mass unrelated to the testicle or the castration. Either way, you need to have Steven examined by your veterinarian to determine exactly what is going on here. Your veterinarian can make treatment recommendations once she figures out what is causing the lump.

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The end of the nodule seems to have an ulcerated appearance which concerns me. Definitely have your vet take a look at this. I would recommend removal & having the tissue sent for pathology for identification. It looks like a full excision should be curative. Hope this helps. Take care.