Lumps - Dog

[LA99]

Understand this warrants a vet visit but my mind is racing. Found lumps under skin on dog. Basically close to top of leg underneath. Kind of like what would be our armpit if that’s makes sense.

Has anyone else experienced this with their dog? Showing no other symptoms. Doesn’t appear to be in pain. I am hoping that it’s nothing sinister obviously but could it still be despite no other symptoms?

Depends on size, shape, moveability - could just be a lymph node, code be a fatty lump, could be something more sinister. Best of luck

@Springadorable thanks so much for replying so quickly. Is anything sinister less likely with no symptoms or is that not always the case? Also, there seems to be a couple of lumps.

My cocker spaniel has a lot of these . One is huge and he has had a big one removed from his armpit before ( when he was under anesthetic for his teeth ). They are moveable though so I check them regularly. the vet is not concerned. It's always best to get them checked out though.

Same as with people, they can have lumps and it be cancer and they are otherwise symptom free. Particularly if it's spread though you'll see weightloss (without increasing their exercise, they may or may not be eating less), they might be more lethargic or just a bit out of sorts. Dogs are incredibly good at masking illness though so unless they were advanced I wouldn't expect loads of other symptoms for lumps. With that in mind, definitely get him checked this week - hopefully the vet can put your mind at rest or do more tests to find out what the lumps are if not immediately obvious.

@Harriet9955 thank you. Did they biopsy? I’m hoping it’s nothing obviously but the dog it’s on hates the vet due to multiple issues she’s had over the years with her ears. I’m already dreading the thought of taking her in when I know how afraid she’ll be

@Springadorable thanks again. Everything else seems ok with her. Nothing out of the ordinary that would concern me but I do agree with the masking, as I know she has hidden her pain before with her ears so I am worried.
Thank you

Dogs tend to get lumpy as they age (a bit like us!). Most are benign and left alone unless they are in a place where they're getting rubbed. Your vet is the only person who can properly advise you.

Well that's good. Hopefully it's nothing, you get her checked and she's grumpy and pissed off but fine 🤞

We lost our cockapoo last year. She had a lump and the vet stuck a needle in and it drained like an oily liquid and he said it was nothing to worry about. She also had a cancerous sarcoma on her paw which was biopsied and removed but that was a very different type of lesion to these fatty lumps that both our dogs had/ have . We then changed vets and our new vet would not stick a needle into our other dogs lump, but as I say he did have it removed under anaesthetic as they thought it could encroach on his joints due to the position of it.

Our remaining dog has about four lumps in total, one huge and a few smaller ones. I think as long as they are moveable the verts don't worry too much. I guess they may biopsy if concerned. The vet always checks them over each time we have a routine visit but never seems concerned. I actually would prefer the huge one to be removed because if we have his fur cut short in the summer it is hugely noticeable .

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your replies and advice. Although I know I do need to see the vet.
she’s 8 so I’m hoping it is just fatty lumps with age.

I will see what the vet says. Thanks again all and @Harriet9955sorry you lost your cockapoo. Always difficult. Hopefully the lumps in your other dogs don’t cause problems. Out of interest, did your vet biopsy the lumps in your other dogs or do they just monitor them at each appointment?

Our current vet just monitors his lumps. i don't know if the vets biopsied the lump that was removed under anesthetic a few years ago, I think they could tell when they removed it that it was just a fatty lump and weren't concerned. . As long as the current ones stay moveable they are not concerned. My spaniel is 8.5 years old. As others have said I think it's just one of those things that happen as they get older. I hope all is well with yours.

Thanks so much. I’m glad all seems well with yours and hopefully they don’t have any issues.

thanks again. Really appreciate your responses

My lab has several fatty lumps. One was biopsied and fine. My vet says it’s quite common.

One of our Pyrenean bitches had surgery to remove fatty lumps (Lipoma) from her back legs, because they were very large and beginning to impede her movement. She lived for several years after. These lumps are often benign.

Thanks so much both. Glad your dogs were fine ☺️ reassuring. Hopefully will be the same