“If you find a lump on your pet, early assessment gives the best chance of identifying whether it needs treatment.”
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One of the most common reasons pet owners call mobile vets like me is because they’ve found a lump on their pet and they’re worried…
If you’re worried about a lump on your pet, I hope this blog will be a useful guide to help you decide on the best course of action.
Reasons for an urgent visit
If a lump is sore, then you need to arrange a consultation quickly. Why? Well one reason for soreness is infection, and prompt treatment of infections is important to stop them getting out of hand and becoming a major problem. If a pet chews or scratches at a lump, they often make it many times worse. Prompt action to find and treat the root cause is the best way forward.
A rapidly growing lump is also cause for concern. It might be a specific type of infection called an abscess. Abscesses are especially common in cats who like to get into punch-ups with neighbouring cats. In this case your pet might need to be sedated in the hospital so we can drain the abscess and get control over the infection. And of course, a rapidly growing lump can be the warning sign of more serious malignant disease.
Less Urgent Lumps
Many lumps on our pets do turn out to be benign and nothing to worry about… But to be honest if you find a lump on your pet we always suggest a visit from one of our mobile vets. We suggest this because if lump is malignant, the earlier we deal with it the more chance we have of a good outcome.
Sometimes we can tell by looking at a skin lump that there is nothing to worry about. For example lots of older dogs get cauliflower-like warty lumps which cause no health problems. And in younger dogs skin growth called histiocytomas can look quite nasty but go away on their own in a few weeks.
Under the skin lumps
If a lump is under the skin surface we often opt to take a fine needle aspirate. This means taking a few cells out of the lump using a needle and putting the cells on a slide for a veterinary pathologist to view. Fine needle aspirates are great in that they are a very minor procedure for your pet, but sometimes the results are not fully reliable. If this is the case we might then have to take a biopsy of the lump to get the full answer.
One of the common under-the-skin lumps we see is the lipoma. This is a fatty lump most common in chubby middle-aged to older Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Unless a lipoma is large and causing problems (like growing under the front leg and making exercise difficult for example) we generally opt to leave them be.
Another common lump which is not so nice is the mast cell tumour. Mast cell tumours show themselves in many shapes and sizes. They are unpredictable in their behaviour and often spread quickly. If we diagnose one of these we will talk to you in detail about the best type of surgery for your pet.
And to wrap up… the bottom line on lumps is this…
If you find a lump on your pet arrange a consultation in the next week or so. If the lump is red and sore, growing really fast or if your pet is chewing at it call me as soon as you can and arrange a visit within the next day or so.
Key Takeaways
- Not all lumps are serious, but all should be assessed
Early evaluation helps determine whether a lump is benign or requires further treatment. - Certain signs indicate urgency
Pain, rapid growth or changes in behaviour around the lump should be checked promptly. - Simple diagnostic tests are often used first
Fine-needle aspiration can provide useful information with minimal discomfort. - Early action improves outcomes where needed
If a lump is malignant, an earlier diagnosis gives more treatment options.
In-Home Services
In-home care forms the foundation of how we treat and manage your pet’s health. Most conditions can be assessed, treated, and monitored in a familiar environment where pets are calmer and easier to handle. Available to residents of Sydney’s inner city, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and the Lower North Shore.
Testimonials
Debby Ross
First visit from Ari and Ellie and it went beyond all expectations. They were so genuinely interested in my two cats. Of course I couldn’t stop talking about them but they clearly were not bored. Did excellent health checks and vaccinations – was an absolute pleasure and I would totally recommend them to anybody. So fabulous having no stress of lugging…
Daniel Birchall
Elle’s exceptionally professional, warm, and helpful phone manner, together with Dr Ari’s prompt arrival, gentle approach with Hudson, and clear, thorough medical explanations and recommendations, immediately put my mind at ease. The high level of care and professionalism demonstrated confirmed that contacting VETaround was the right decision.
Amanda Yeates
Ari is the best vet ever. His home visits are incredible. Such a great service to not have to put your beloved pets in the stressful situation of a car. Or around sick pets in a waiting area. My cats LOVE HIM. Ollie my male cat NEVER comes out of hiding when visitors come over. With Ari, he not only came out, let him weigh him, have his check up done…
Charmaine Caffrey
I was very pleased with the ladies from VETaround Mobile vet. Professional, polite and very knowledgeable. Certainly eased my mind about my cat 🐈 would recommend them to anyone needing good veterinary care for their pet. We all know just how important our four legged friends are!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I find a lump on my pet?
If you find a lump on your pet, it is best to arrange a veterinary consultation within the next week. While many lumps are harmless, some require further investigation. Early assessment helps determine the appropriate next step.
When is a lump on a pet considered urgent?
A lump should be assessed quickly if it is sore, growing rapidly or being scratched or chewed by your pet. These signs can indicate infection or other more serious conditions. Prompt attention helps prevent the problem from worsening.
Are all lumps on pets cancerous?
No, many lumps are benign and do not cause health problems. For example, some older dogs develop harmless warty growths, while younger dogs may develop lumps that resolve on their own. However, a proper assessment is needed to confirm this.
How do vets test a lump on a pet?
One common method is a fine-needle aspiration, in which a small sample of cells is taken from the lump. These cells are then examined by a veterinary pathologist. In some cases, a biopsy may be required for a more definitive diagnosis.
What is a lipoma in pets?
A lipoma is a fatty lump that commonly appears under the skin, particularly in older or overweight dogs. These are usually benign and may not require treatment unless they interfere with movement or comfort. Monitoring is often recommended.
Can a fast-growing lump on a pet be serious?
A rapidly growing lump can indicate an abscess or a more serious condition such as a malignant tumour. Because these possibilities require different treatments, early evaluation is important. Quick action allows appropriate care to begin sooner.