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Can benign intestinal masses in dogs cause perforation?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | spayed | 16 years old | 40 lbs

An ultrasound showed my 15.5 year old female golden retriever mix with an "irregular mass" in the small intestine( jejunum )very close to perforating through the intestinal wall. Amber's chest X-rays and blood panel were normal. She recently lost some weight and had some red tint in her stool, but without a biopsy the Dr. is not certain the mass is malignant. Question: Do benign intestinal masses ever threaten wall perforation or do only malignant tumors act so aggressively ? Thanks-desperate

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on October 11th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Amber! I am sorry you both are going through this. Sadly due to her age and breed I would be much more worried about a malignant mass. Benign intestinal masses can cause severe enough wall damage to be close to perforation. If she is otherwise healthy and the Vet thinks she can make it through surgery would you do surgery to remove it for biopsy? If it is that close to perforation it doesn't matter if it is malignant or benign as perforation is life threatening. I wish you the best!

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 11th, 2018

    HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry for your loss! I think that is the mass was threatening the intestinal wall it doesn't matter if it was benign for cancerous. That both would equally cause perforation. I would say that cancerous growths grow faster so they would likely perforate sooner than a benign one. I don't think we have good data on percentages really. I know it hurts losing her but I would trust your Vet's advice and try to focus on your good memories. The pain will lessen over time but a piece of your heart always leaves with them. Let me know if I can help with anything else

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