My senior dog has growing lumps. Should I see a vet if she's healthy?

Question

My dog is 10yrs old, she’s got a lot of lumps and bumps on her and some of them are getting bigger, she’s eating and drinking and playing normally, what do you suggest? Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | unspayed | 10 years old | 81.5 lbs

Shaneez Wallani, DVM · Accepted Answer

That's a great question! Unfortunately, as pets age, lumps and bumps seem to occur more and more frequently. Bessie should be seen by your vet to have the lumps assessed and to form a treatment plan. Without further testing, there is no way to tell if these bumps are due to infection, trauma or allergy, or if they are masses. Masses can be of a malignant (cancerous) type that can spread elsewhere and/ or invade the healthy tissue around them, or a more benign (noncancerous) type that is unlikely to spread. Cancerous types of masses are less common than benign ones, but I recommend making an appointment for Bessie to see your vet to have the growths tested and to guide treatment. Your vet may want to do a fine needle aspirate, which is where cells are removed from the growth using a needle and sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope to determine what the lump is and to guide treatment. If the lumps are getting bigger, seem painful, or have any discharge or blood, please get Bessie to a vet right away. If she is licking at them, please put an e-collar (cone) on her to help reduce the risk of her injuring herself or causing infection.

My senior dog has growing lumps. Should I see a vet if she's healthy?

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