Lipoma in Lab

Question
Greetings.  I have a 9YO FE Lab, 65 lbs who has developed several lumps which I am told are Lipomas. Is there a way to (1) prevent more and (2) to get rid of the ones she has without surgery? She has slowed down in the last year, but is walked daily and swims daily during warmer weather. She is on Iams supplemented with low/non fat cottage cheese, plain vegetables (raw and cooked), plain rice, boiled chicken.  Not all at once, of course, usually a tablespoon or two, and not on a daily basis.  She is very healthy but gets 4,000 mg Glucosamine and 1200 mg fish oil for joint and skin. She had developed a severe hot spot just above her tail last summer and the vet thought the underlying problem might be arthritis, causing her to chew to alleviate the pain. She has not exhibited any problems walking or chewing the area since she was treated and started on the glucosamine and fish oil.  

Any help will be most appreciated.  I don't know if I am overly concerned about the fat lumps, or if I should be more concerned.

Answer
Luna,

Have the lumps been aspirated to be certain that they are Lipomas? If they have not then that is the first thing I would recommend. Certain types of tumors can "feel" like lipomas but can in fact be more concerning like a Mast Cell Tumor. If they are truly lipomas then there is nothing you can do to prevent them from growing or prevent her from getting more. I do not usually recommend surgical removal of these because they are totally benign. An exception to that would be if they are very large and in an area that makes it difficult for the dog to walk. Then surgery is reasonable to consider.
Hope that helps.
Dr. G.