a lump on the back

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hello, my 8 months old toy poodle has a lump grown on her back beside the vertebral column. The lump is soft, slightly moving when touched, doesnt hurt, not itchy and the colour of the skin is quite normal. I have visited the vet and he said it isnt possible for her to have cancer at this age which is too young. I really want to know what the lump is and is it better to observe it longer before taking out specimen from it for evaluation?
Thanks for your suggestions.
Answer -
Hi Gail,

I can understand your desire to know what the lump is.

What did your vet tell you the growth was?

The only way to know what the lump is, is to have a biopsy done. If you ultimately plan on removing the growth, why not just remove it now?  It would be easier to remove  the growth when it's smaller, rather than if it  grows.

You can have them do a biopsy on the lump after it's been removed. Some kinds of benign tumor and other skin growths have a tendency to grow back, so it would be good to identify what this lump is.

I hope I've been a help.

Best of luck,

Patti



Hi Patti, its me again. The vet didnt know what the lump is and he said its not a big problem. Is that really impossible for a baby dog to have cancer? And does her symptoms similar to cancer?
Many thanks for your suggestions.

Gail  

Answer
Hi Gail,

If your vet didn't think the growth was cancerous, it probably isn't. You can always go to a different vet to get a second opinion.

All lumps should be sampled (a biopsy)  to find out whether they are benign or malignant.
Your vet can do a needle biopsy without removing the mass, which might be a good middle ground solution.  You'd find out what the growth is (which is important!) without having to go through surgery.

Cancer can strike at any age, but it is usually a disease of middle-aged and older dogs. Here is a checklist of possible warning signs of some pet cancers:

1. Your pet has a lump or sore that won't go away.

2. Your pet is eating but losing weight.

3. It is hard for your pet to chew or swallow.

4. There is a discharge or bleeding from any body opening.

5. Your pet has a bad smell.

6. Your pet tires easily and doesn't want to exercise.

7. Your pet has quit eating for more than a day or two.

You've said the lump isn't bleeding and doesn't appear to be bothering your dog, that is a good sign!

There are several benign  (non-cancerous) types of growths, which though aren't life threatening, should be removed because as they grow they can begin to bleed and become infected.

Lumps or tumors are common findings in the skin of both young and old dogs.  Although they frequently go away with time, many owners have them removed and biopsied to be certain they are benign.

You should check the lump  daily for bleeding, change in color or size, and whether the tumor is attached firmly to deeper tissues below the skin.

I hope I've been a help.

Patti