What Are These Sudden Lumps On My Dog?
Lumps on dogs can be a sudden occurrence, or they may have been developing for a while. In this blog post we will talk about what sudden lumps are and what to do if you notice them on your pet. Lumps can come in many different forms, and can be an incredibly stressful time for pet parents.
It is always recommended to speak with your veterinarian if you notice a fast growing lump, redness, swelling, or notice that the lump is causing your dog pain. Many sudden lumps aren't dangerous for your dog, but it is important for a veterinarian to take a look and monitor it.
Sudden Lumps On Dog? Most Lumps Are Harmless
Many pet parents will notice a lump on their dog and their heart will start racing. This is a normal response but it is important to take a deep breath and to avoid self diagnosing this lump. It is important to speak with a veterinarian before you try and treat the sudden lump on dog, as many lumps are harmless.
Try Wild Earth Dog Food 30% Off Today!A sudden bump or growth can be distressing for pet parents but it is usually not serious as a majority of lumps aren't cancerous. Most lumps that appear suddenly aren't dangerous for dogs, although there are some exceptions, which is why it is always important to let a vet take a look. A vet will be able to take a physical examination of the lump as well as take multiple different tests to know for a fact what is causing the lump.
Most lumps that develop on dogs are benign, which means non-cancerous. These lumps can actually be fat, fatty tumors, cysts, warts, abscesses, or multiple other alternatives. Fatty tumors are common in older dogs and can cause sudden lumps on your pup. Fatty tumors are usually soft to touch, but most of the time these benign masses don't bother dogs that much. Lumpy warts do not require treatment unless they start causing problems for your pet like pain or irritation.
Warts aren't dangerous either, however it is possible that they can become infected or cause skin irritation which is why it is important to monitor and treat. A sudden lump may be an abscess, which is basically a collection of puss in the body due to bacterial infection. Abscesses usually start out small and look like little lumps under the skin.
How Your Vet Will Examine The Lump On Your Dog
As there are many possibilities for the cause of the sudden lump on your dog, your vet will have to examine the lump and possibly perform a few tests to truly understand what the cause is. Sudden lumps on a dog can be caused by anything from allergies, infections or even tumors. There is no way to know what the sudden lump may be without going into your dogs body and looking it over closely. The vet will have many tools at their disposal such as X-Rays, physical exams, biopsy, blood tests, skin grafts, and much more.
The first thing your vet will do is examine the shape, color, size of the lump as well as ask you about your dog's recent behavior, energy levels, appetite, and overall health. These questions will help your vet understand if your dog is in pain or if the lump isn't causing any pain. Your vet will then perform an examination of the lump and will most likely use a microscope and further testing to get exact results.
Your vet may perform a tissue sample or other tests that will take a few days to get the results back. This time can be stressful for pet parents to wait for the results but it is important to stay calm and continue to monitor the health and behavior of your dog.
How Are Sudden Lumps On Dogs Treated?
The treatment option will depend on the cause of the lump on your dog. A benign fatty lump may not require any treatment if your dog isn't in any pain and isn't causing any further health issues.
If it is a cancerous lump, then it is possible that it can be removed with a simple surgery. There is a chance that the cancer has spread to other parts of your dog's body which is much more dangerous. If that has happened, then further treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy, or other treatment options will be required.
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Try Wild Earth Dog Food 30% Off Today!Common Types of Lumps And Bumps For Dogs
Fatty lumps and cancerous lumps may be the two most well known causes of lumps on dogs, but there are a few other common lumps that you should know about.
Warts - Warts can be a common cause of lumps on dogs. They are caused by a virus called the papilloma virus or a few other types of viruses. All dogs get warts at some point, but they usually do not cause any problems for your dog. If you see sudden lumps on your dog's skin that seem to be growing in size or if it starts bleeding, then it is important to speak with your veterinarian.
Cysts - Cysts are common for many dogs and are similar to a pimple that a human may experience. They are also referred to as sebaceous cysts, white heads, or pimples. They are typically caused by blocked oil glands and it is possible that they pop and a small amount of fluid or substance can come out.
Abscess - It is possible for your dog to receive an abscess which can cause a sudden lump on your dog's skin. An abscess is when an infection has developed in the tissue of your dog and some type of foreign material may be inside, such as dirt, grass from a cut, or even an insect bite.
