Part of natural pet care is knowing your pet’s normal state, be that behaviour or their natural physical appearance. This familiarity allows you to spot problems early enough for them to be treatable. Today’s guest author tells us what to watch for in regards to lumps and bumps, and what to expect if we find one.
Detecting and Treating Canine Mast Cell Tumors
Newly found lumps and bumps are often a cause for concern in both humans and pets. Despite their alarming and sometimes sudden appearance, not all canine lumps are dangerous. For example, mast cell tumors are often benign, and knowing when to have them surgically removed is important for a dog’s health.
A Hands-On Approach
One of the main ways that humans and dogs interact is through tactile communication. There have been several scientific studies that link petting a dog with biophysical markers such as reduced stress and blood pressure. When petting and playing with a dog, his caregiver should be on the lookout for any unusual bumps.
Fatty mast cell tumors are relatively easy to detect and share several common properties:
- Visibly raised lumps under the skin
- Can be itchy, hairless, or ulcerated
- Most commonly appear alone
- Is easily manipulated beneath the skin
- Typically do not cause pain when touched
More Malignant Problems
While most mast cell tumors are harmless, a small percentage of these types of lumps are malignant and potentially cancerous. In certain cases, it is obvious that something is wrong with a dog and it is just a matter of finding the problem.
Some malignant skin tumors can cause:
- Vomiting
- Little energy
- Unwillingness to eat or drink
- Diarrhea
If a lump is blackened, hard, or painful to the touch, it should be inspected by a veterinarian right away. Catching malignant infections early is crucial in saving your dog from diseases like cancer.
Know When to Treat Mast Cell Tumors
Some tumors are fine when left alone, while others should be surgically removed. It is important for a pet parent to pay close attention to a newly discovered skin lump. If it grows rapidly, make a vet appointment as soon as possible to perform a biopsy on the lump. When in doubt, it is a good idea to seek out the expertise of a vet. It may be that a particular breed of dog is more prone to develop such tumors. Popular dog breeds such as beagles, golden retrievers, labs, bulldogs and boxers all have genetic histories of mast cell tumor development.
Surgical Removal
The most effective way of completely removing a mast cell tumor is by surgery. Since only superficial incisions need to be made, these type of procedures are some of the safest that a pet can undergo. If a dog has many tumors, it may be possible for all to be removed in a single appointment. This is largely dependent on the health of the dog in question, the professional opinion of the veterinarian, and the desires of the owner.
Cause and Prevention
The exact causes of mast cell tumors in dogs are not entirely known. The cells themselves are associated with allergies and the release of histamines. It is thought that avoiding allergens can prevent a mast cell tumor from forming, but it can be difficult to diagnose just what a dog is allergic to. In general, a healthy amount of exercise and a well balanced diet are good methods of preventing many canine illnesses and conditions. To get specialized care instructions, ask a vet and keep up with your pet’s annual checkups.
Has your dog ever experienced Mast Cell Tumors? Please share your story in the comments below.
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This is great advice. My 8-year-old male Golden Retriever, Cosmo, has a pea-sized lump on the front of his left foreleg just below the elbow. It is soft and moveable and causes no discomfort when touched. He has had this for a few years and it hasn’t changed in size or texture, but I still touch it every time I pet him to make sure it hasn’t grown or hardened. My vet has performed a cytology on it and has determined that it’s a lipoma, so it’s benign; however, if it does begin to change in size or texture, it will be removed as soon as possible. Fortunately, because Cosmo has such a heavy coat, the lump isn’t visible.
Our cat’s mast cell tumors have thus far all been CANCEROUS and the cure was removal IMMEDIATELY by a great vet who is certified as a cat vet (though he treats all animals).
The first one was larger than a marble and required that our furry dear be put to sleep, the second one was half or less in size and required only a local. (It was only after reading a blog pointing out that ALL lumps and bumps should be pointed out to the vet that the first one was dealt with. With the second one, we knew not to wait.)
It will depend too on whether the mast cell tumors are low grade cancer or not. Waiting to go to a proper cat vet would have meant death for our darling. As it is, we are told he may live for years as long as we catch these things fast enough.
My cat has one, is there any way to naturally treat it at home?
Hi Missy, it’s best to work with a vet (holistic or standard) when it comes to tumors.
Excellent advice about checking your dog over for lumps and bumps. My 2 cents tho – Any lump you find should be checked by a vet, and the vast majority of mast cell tumours I see are grade II (so not benign). They can have such a wide variety of appearances that a vet would never try to diagnose without cytology, they can imitate the appearance of other, much more harmless masses. When caught early they are generally treatable, but I’ve seen some heartbreaking cases where owners have decided to ‘wait and see’.
I also love that you recommend annual check ups, prevention is better than a cure 🙂