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My dog has recurring growths. Vet says histiocytoma. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 3 years and 1 month old | 55 lbs

I don’t know how to reply to the vet. I did have the first one that ever came up removed and biopsies. We were told that they are benign. The vet said Histiocytoma. It I’ll admit I’m hesitant to believe that. The one that ruptured...it was meaty not like I expected. She only had one. After we had that one removed, they started growing with a vengeance. Could I change her diet and help? Thoughts on exhinuand goldensea?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 15th, 2019

I agree with Dr. Botinas. Histiocytomas are very common in dogs this age and since she had one previously it is likely this is one as well. This one does look pretty advanced though and "angry". I think this should be surgically removed and sent to the lab for a histopathology as well. If you don't believe this is a histiocytoma then it is especially important to have it removed because the other options for tumors it could be are not good....... Changing the diet is not likely to help. If it is a histiocytoma usually they regress on their own within 3 months. If you keep bothering them it makes them "angry" and they will increase in size. I suggest you leave it alone if you are not going to have it surgically removed. If it does not regress then you can have surgery done at that time. The only supplement I would suggest is an immune boosting supplement. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1542-vetri-science-vetri-dmg-liquid-for-dogs-cats.aspx ) Here is more information on histiocytomas. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

  • Image profile

    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I agree with Dr. Botinas. Histiocytomas are very common in dogs this age and since she had one previously it is likely this is one as well. This one does look pretty advanced though and "angry". I think this should be surgically removed and sent to the lab for a histopathology as well. If you don't believe this is a histiocytoma then it is especially important to have it removed because the other options for tumors it could be are not good....... Changing the diet is not likely to help. If it is a histiocytoma usually they regress on their own within 3 months. If you keep bothering them it makes them "angry" and they will increase in size. I suggest you leave it alone if you are not going to have it surgically removed. If it does not regress then you can have surgery done at that time. The only supplement I would suggest is an immune boosting supplement. ( https://www.allivet.com/p-1542-vetri-science-vetri-dmg-liquid-for-dogs-cats.aspx ) Here is more information on histiocytomas. ( https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952066 ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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