Nasty-looking skin lumps under your pet's skin may be worrisome, but they don't always mean that your dog or cat has a serious problem. Lumps aren't always a sign of an underlying disease or cancer, but they do need some attention from a veterinarian. Here is more information about different types of non-cancerous skin lumps, what causes them, and when your veterinarian should treat them.
Types of Benign Skin Lumps in Pets
Several different types of skin lumps can affect your pet in various ways. Here are some of the most common forms.
Lipoma
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that exist just under your pet's skin. These masses are easy to press and move around. Lipomas are generally slow-growing and cause little problems.
Cyst
Cysts are similar to lipomas, except they are more rigid and solid. They, also, rarely cause problems unless they press on a nerve or blood vessel.
Fibroma
Fibromas involve connective tissue known as fibroblasts and often contain melanin, also known as skin color. They can be either firm or soft and most commonly occur on the legs, flanks, and upper chest.
Basal Cell Tumor
Basal cell tumors are extremely common in pets and generally involve a small skin nodule on the head or neck. Most basal cell tumors are benign, but a small number of them could be cancerous.
Other types of benign tumors, such as those that affect the blood vessels or ears, may be less noticeable until they become very large.
Causes of Benign Lumps
The exact causes of most tumors are not well known, but advanced age is often a common element for all of them. Heredity is another common factor, and some breeds of dogs and cats are more prone to different types of lumps than others. Overexposure to the sun and chemicals may also be contributing factors.
Treatment of Benign Lumps
Most skin lumps are slow-growing and will not cause a problem for your pet except for minor itching. However, they all need to be checked out by a veterinarian to rule out cancer. If the lump is causing a problem, such as pain or limited mobility, then it can be surgically removed. Otherwise, once cancer is ruled out, your pet should have minimal problems with lumps.
While skin lumps are common and usually not dangerous, make sure you have them checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. A nearby vet clinic can give your pet a full examination including checking out any skin lumps for potential problems.
Share13 November 2019
When I moved into the town I'm living in now, there was a large population of stray cats. Unfortunately, that population kept growing in rapid numbers because none of the cats had been fixed. I knew that wasn't a healthy situation, so I reached out to a local shelter and a veterinarian to launch a trap-alter-release program. Within about a year, we had the entire population altered and released back to their environments. The logistics were significant, but not overwhelming. That's why I built this site. My goal is to teach others how to launch a similar program in their own neighborhood to help keep the stray cats healthier and safer.