MANY DOGS AND CATS HAVE LUMPS AND BUMPS. NOT ALL OF THESE MASSES ARE MALIGNANT (CANCEROUS) TUMORS. IN FACT, MOST TUMORS ARE BENIGN (NOT CANCER).
Masses must be sampled and evaluated under a microscope to determine what they are. The sooner we determine whether a mass is cancerous and should be removed, the better for your pet. Most skin and subcutaneous (under the skin) tumors can be cured when diagnosed early when masses are small.
I am Dr Sue Cancer Vet and I am on a mission to raise cancer awareness in dogs and cats, so we can diagnose earlier and save lives.
SEE SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING: WHY WAIT? ASPIRATE!
See Something
When a skin mass is the size of pea or larger or has been present for 1 month,
Do Something
Aspirate or biopsy, and treat.
No, not even the most experienced veterinarian can look at or feel a mass and know if it is cancer or not. Your veterinarian must perform an aspirate or biopsy to make an accurate diagnosis.
Early detection saves lives.