My senior dog has new moles. Is it just old age or something serious?

Anytime a new mass is noticed, I always recommend having it evaluated to see what it is and if anything needs to be done about it. Unfortunately, we often can't tell anything about a mass by just looking at it. Your vet can perform a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they use a small needle to collect some cells from the mass, then look at them under the microscope. They may even need to send the cells to the lab for a pathologist to examine them, so we know what the mass is. If it is benign, you might not need to do anything about the mass at all, but if they see cells that worry them, they might recommend removing the mass. Since Qbert has scratched the mass, I think it is certainly worth having your veterinarian examine it again and evaluate a sample to make sure that it is benign. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would recommend that you have Varna evaluated by a vet. From your description, she may have many small hemangiomas. These types of tumors are usually benign, but can keep popping up. If they rupture they can bleed and become infected. From the picture, the mass could be a hemangioma, or something else like a mast cell tumor. Your vet will be able to examine Varna, and may take a small sample of cells with a needle for examination under a microscope. Once they have a better idea of what the mass is made of, they can recommend an appropriate treatment, if any.

That looks like a mole or wart that is not unusual for older dogs to get. If your vet offers the option of sending them a pic of something since your dog does get so stressed, they may be willing to tell you their opinion based on what they see in the photo. Ideally, it would be seen by your vet for a definitive diagnosis, but you may just want to keep an eye on it. If it abruptly changes size, shape. color, or texture, then you should get it checked by your vet right away.

It's hard to tell for sure from those pictures but that may just be a pigment change on Tara's skin. Pigment changes can occur normally as a dog ages. To be safe, I'd recommend taking Tara to see a veterinarian for assessment of the area. If necessary a small needle sample can be taken of the area to ensure it's not a concern. At minimum I'd suggest monitoring the area for changes and definitely take Tara to the vet if is changes in size, shape, color or if it bleeds or has any kind of discharge. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

This growth could be benign or malignant. 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. Give Momo's vet a call in the morning to make her an appointment.

This could be a benign skin mass like a wart or a lipoma or could be something more serious like a mast cell tumor. My best recommendation is to take Mara to the veterinarian so a fine needle aspirate and cytology can be performed. This will help your veterinarian determine the cell type of origin and decide if the masses need to be removed. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hello, sorry to hear about Molly. To obtain more information about the bumps they would require to be sampled either through a needle aspirate or a biopsy. However, if your veterinarian is advising that these are likely benign then continuing to monitor them for changes in size or appearance is acceptable. If you note any increase in size, discharge, pain, or changes in color then you should have the bumps further evaluated. Hope this helps and best of luck.