top of page
Black Balls

Masses

A new lump or bump can quickly spike concern for any pet owner. Find out more about next steps once the mass is spotted here.

"My pet has a mass"

The next steps

A new mass or lump has been spotted, now what? Next steps greatly depend on the appearance of the new mass. 

Reasons to schedule a visit: 

  • Discharge/Oozing

  • Hair loss over/around the mass

  • Rapid growth/changes to size of the mass

  • Redness/Irritation

  • Your pet continually licking at, rubbing, or being bothered by it

Situations that may be able to be monitored at home:

  • A mass that is smaller than the eraser end of a pencil

  • A mass that is new and not currently irritating the pet

​

With any new mass it is best to contact your primary veterinarian for their recommendation of how to proceed based on your pets' past medical history.

What will the plan be when a visit is scheduled to evaluate the mass: 

  1. We will talk through the questions listed below to better assess history of the mass.​

  2. For most new masses a Fine Needle Aspirate (also known as an FNA) is recommended to assess the cells within the mass. This will be a first step in coming to a diagnosis for the mass. With Certified Veterinary Technicians on staff, we will first evaluate the sample in clinic. If our findings are inconclusive or cells of concern are found, we have the additional capabilities of sending them in for further evaluation by a pathologist. 

  3. If the mass is actively oozing or has broken skin over the top of the mass, an Impression Smear may be recommended to determine if there is an infection (either on the skin or within the mass) that needs to be treated.

  4. Depending on the findings of the laboratory testing in clinic, surgical removal may be recommended. During the procedure, while removing the mass, we would package the sample removed to send in for additional testing. Histopathology of the mass (sending in the mass for analysis at the lab), will give a definitive diagnosis of what the mass is/was, if appropriate margins were removed (commonly 2cm is the 'gold standard' when possible), as well as the likelihood of the mass returning or if the mass could have metastasized (started to grow in other parts of the body).

Questions to Know for a Visit in Clinic

Often, each mass is unique and individualized - please know the answers to each mass separately in that respect.

  1. How long has the mass been present to the best of your knowledge? Generalization is okay, only a few days, weeks, a couple years?

  2. Has it grown since you first noticed it? If yes, how much? (example - size of a pea to size of a grape vs size of a golf ball to size of a softball)

  3. Does it seem to bother the pet at all? Rubbing, difficulty walking, licking?

  4. Is there any hair loss to the area where the mass is present?

  5. Has the mass broke open and bled or had any discharge present? If discharge was not blood, color and consistency (example - purulent material (aka pus))?

  6. ​Have you applied anything topically to the mass?

  7. Does your pet have any other masses? Have they ever been tested/sampled?

Lipomas

The "fatty" mass

When talking about masses, there are some diagnoses that are more favorable than others. Masses that are benign (will NOT multiply cells and grow in other parts of the body) and slow growing are usually one of these 'preferred' diagnoses when looking at masses on your pet. Every mass for every pet is different in rate of growth, location and recommendations on how to proceed for the best interest of your pets' health.

Speaking generally, lipomas can often be monitored at home for changes that would indicate a need for removal (irritation, growing rapidly, etc.). While not cancerous, these masses should still be monitored by the pet owner regularly (once a month) for changes. The most common reason for removal of these masses is due to troublesome location. Often the growth of the mass will eventually result in difficulty with motion of an appendage or pressure sores on the surface of the mass that can be tough to manage.
 

Mast Cell Tumors

This diagnosis is one that will entail a more time sensitive removal than most masses. Unfortunately, this mass type is malignant, which means that it is known to move to other parts of the body if not removed in a timely manner. Due to the makeup of the mass, once sampled for a fine needle aspirate, the cells within the mass can be agitated and continue to grow/multiply. Luckily, until surgical removal, this response can be maintained with an appropriate dosing of an antihistamine that would be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Ideally, surgery is completed within a few weeks of diagnosis to impede further growth or additional metastasis. 

An alternative option to surgery would be an injection (known as STELFONTA) directly into the mass if it is a 'non-metastatic mast cell tumor'. There are quite a few requirements that must be met in order to be a candidate for the injection, so it is not an option for every patient. We do not currently offer the injection through our practice, but would be available to discuss this option further and if it would be an option for your pet after diagnosis.

*While these are the 2 of the more common mass types we see, there are many others. For additional information and resources on any diagnosis not listed, please reach out to your primary veterinarian.*

Abscess

This growth presents quickly and is commonly caused by a puncture (usually by a nail, tooth or object) to the body that allows bacteria to be introduced under the skin. The body then works to fight off the bacteria present and forms a pocket of purulent material around that previous puncture site. 

If it is suspected that your pet has an abscess, it is highly recommended that they be seen for an appointment. Many times these masses will be painful and need antibiotics to treat appropriately. Depending on the size of the abscess 'lancing and draining the mass' (cutting it open and removing the material from inside) may be necessary with light sedation to complete efficiently.

Commonly, these areas will resolve with medicinal intervention without any surgical removal necessary. 

bottom of page