Imagine when you pat your dog, you run your hand over a soft lump just below the skin that you had not known before. Of course, you would be worried and wonder what it might be. Fortunately, these lumps are often harmless lumps of fat called lipomas.
Lipomas in dogs are very common, and most dogs develop at least one during their lifetime.
Simple lipomas generally grow slowly and usually require no treatment; But sometimes surgery can be recommended if they affect the dog's quality of life due to their location or size.
Key dealers
- Lipomas are common, non-cancerous fat lumps in dogs that usually grow slowly and do not require treatment if they do not affect mobility or comfort.
- Diagnosis is confirmed through tests such as fine needle spiration or biopsy to exclude more serious conditions.
- While most lipomas need to remove, surgery may be recommended for large or problematic lumps, especially infiltrative types that invade surrounding tissue.
What is a lipoma in dogs?
Lipomas are non-cancerous lumps of fat cells that develop under the dog's skin.
They usually grow slowly and can be found virtually anywhere there is fat present in the dog. The most common places that lipoma are found are the chest, flank, limb, abdomen and back.
They feel soft at the touch and are freely moving under the skin where they are located.
Lipomas grows slowly and is non-cancerous, so they don't always need to be removed.
However, a less common form called infiltrative lipoma may feel firmer and become less easy to move.
Lipomas is generally not medical emergencies; However, there are some cases where these lumps may require immediate veterinary attention.
The dog should be seen quickly if a lipoma grows large enough to interfere with mobility or breathing, if lipoma grows rapidly, if the lump causes the dog significant discomfort, or if the lump begins to leak blood or pus.
When you notice a new lump on your dog, it is important to schedule a veterinary meeting as soon as possible so that a veterinarian can exactly diagnose the lump and exclude other serious conditions, such as cancer or infection.
Symptoms of a lipoma in dogs
The most important symptoms of a lipoma in dogs may include:
Since lipoma generally does not cause pain or discomfort, there are usually not many symptoms of this condition apart from the obvious lump under the skin.
If the lump grows very large, a dog may have trouble walking or breathing depending on the clumping place.
Causes of a lipoma in dogs
The exact cause of lipoma is unknown. However, it is suspected that Lipoma in dogs may have contributing factors, which include:
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Old age. While all dogs can develop Lipomas, they are much more common in dogs that are at least seven years old.
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Reproduction status. Spayed and neutered dogs are more often affected by lipoma, compared to those who have not had these procedures.
How veterinarians diagnose a lipoma in dogs
The veterinarian will begin with a thorough physical examination and pay special attention to all areas of the dog's skin.
She will manually feel along the dog's upper body and limbs to discover some lumps and bumps. If a lump is found, further testing can be done, which may include:
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Fine needle spirate (FNA). A veterinarian uses a small needle to gently knit the lump and collect a sample of cells. This sample is added to a glass plate and then stained with dye to mark the cells when they look under a microscope.
Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment options can be discussed with a veterinarian.
Treatment of a lipoma in dogs
Generally, simple lipoma in dogs requires no treatment.
But if Lipom is in an unwanted position where it affects the dog's ability to walk, for example, surgery is likely to be recommended.
Surgical removal is generally cured for simple lipomas as soon as the operation is complete; They usually do not return.
However, additional lipoma can always develop in new places throughout the body.
Infiltrative lipoma generally requires surgery and they can recur. It is more difficult to remove the entire lump because of their tendency to infiltrate surrounding tissue. This is also why further treatments, such as radiation therapy, may be required for these more aggressive lumps.
Recovery and handling a lipoma in dogs
If the operation is recommended to remove Lipoma in dogs, the recovery time is generally seven to 10 days.
A cone is usually needed to prevent your dog from chewing the surgical area while healing.
Dogs that do not undergo surgery should be monitored for any changes in lipoma's size or appearance, such as rapid growth or leakage of blood or pus that can justify rapid veterinary attention.
Prevention of a lipoma in dogs
Since it is not known exactly what causes lipoma in dogs, it is difficult to prevent them.
Since overweight dogs have an increased probability of developing Lipomas, pet parents can ensure that their dogs remain in the optimal range of weight by feeding them a high quality diet, such as Purina Pro-plane shredded in suitable meal parts.
Encouraging regular exercise can also help maintain a healthy weight.
Keeping your dog updated on regular health care of a veterinarian is important. These visits can help detect skin lumps early, so they can be diagnosed and monitored exactly.
Lipoma in common questions
Should Lipomas in dogs be removed?
Lipomas grows slowly and is non-cancerous, so they don't always need to be removed.
But if lipoma is in an area in the body that makes it difficult or interferes with normal breathing, it should be removed.
Always follow your veterinarian recommendation when it comes to lipoma removal.
How do you get rid of Lipomas on dogs at home?
There are no home drugs to get rid of Lipomas.
If you notice a lump on your dog, you should take him to the vet for assessment and get professional guidance.
How can you see if a dog's lipoma is cancer?
The only way to say if a lump on your dog is cancer is to see a veterinarian for testing.
She can take a sample of the lump and give an accurate diagnosis.
Can Lipomas shrink on his own dog?
Lipomas generally does not shrink but continues to grow slowly over time.
