Lumps & Bumps ~ Heather, Technician & Blog Editor

As a veterinary professional, one of the most frustrating things to see on social media is a person seeking medical advice for their pets from people who are not veterinarians. While these people often mean well, they are in many cases doing far more harm than good. This is especially true when it comes to growths. 

Abnormal growths on animals are very common, but there are innumerable different types, and recommended treatment varies greatly between them. Lipomas, for instance, are benign fatty tumors that are typically not removed unless they grow large enough to begin impacting an animal's quality of life. By sharp contrast, malignant growths can appear and spread very quickly, and often complete excision is recommended as soon as possible upon identification. Nobody can tell you conclusively what a growth is based on a photo. 

The only way to determine the nature of a growth is to aspirate it (insert a small needle, withdrawing cells) and examine the cells under a microscope. Even this technique is sometimes inconclusive, then requiring a biopsy (removal of a small portion of the growth or the entire growth) and microscopic examination by a pathologist. 

Very small MCT pictured, center

Yesterday, my Clementine was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. These can be particularly scary, since they can appear like many other growths and are somewhat unpredictable. Mast cell tumors are made up of mast cells, which are granulocyte white blood cells that play a large roll in the immune system and contain large quantities of histamine, heparin, and proteolytic enzymes. When irritated or removed, mast cell tumors can release these contents into other parts of the body, causing significant side effects. Notice how small and insignificant the growth (pictured left) on Clementine appears. Had I ignored this or gotten advice online suggesting that it was anything other than a mast cell tumor, we might not have diagnosed it quickly enough to make a difference.


Complete excision can be curative, but extremely wide margins (removal of healthy tissue around the mass) are necessary to accomplish this. In her case, the tumor is very small and was found quickly, so we have high hopes for a good overall prognosis.

When you find a new growth on your dog, it's always a good idea to call your veterinarian and schedule an appointment for an examination and potential fine needle aspirate and cytology. Be sure to note when you first noticed the growth, and monitor it for any changes in size, shape, color, or texture. Be careful not to irritate the growth by touching it excessively, and never attempt to drain or remove a growth at home. 

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