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When to Worry about Your Pet's Lumps and Bumps

Lumps and bumps that suddenly appear on a pet can be concerning, as they can sometimes indicate cancer. Lumps and bumps, however, are often harmless. Before you start worrying or waste time waiting to see if your pet’s lump changes or worsens, we recommend scheduling a checkup with our Houston veterinarian. If your pet’s new growth turns out to be benign, you’ll save yourself a lot of stress, and if it happens to be cancerous or malignant in nature, we can begin treatment right away.

Identification and Diagnosis of Your Pet's Lump

The only way to identify your pet’s lump and provide a diagnosis is with diagnostic testing and a complete examination. Depending on the appearance of your pet’s lump and any reported symptoms, we might recommend taking a blood test, x-rays, a biopsy, running cytology, or performing an ultrasound. Along with a physical exam, these tests will help us determine the nature of your pet’s growth and an appropriate course of treatment.

What Could It Be? Types of Lumps and Bumps in Pets

There are many different types of lumps and bumps that pets can develop. Some present a cause for concern or point to an underlying issue, while others are completely harmless.
  • Malignant Tumors - A variety of different cancers of the skin and blood vessels can cause cancerous growths.
  • Benign Tumors - These tumors can resemble cancer, but they are actually harmless. Benign tumors, however, need to be monitored, as they can sometimes change, becoming cancerous.
  • Lipoma - The most common bump that pets develop, lipomas are harmless clumps of fatty tissue beneath the skin.
    Papules - Allergens can lead to this type of rash.
  • Bites and Stings
  • Cysts - Most cysts resolve themselves, but others can become infected, requiring treatment.
  • Abscesses and Infections - Infected hair follicles or mouth infections can lead to abscesses and other bumps.
  • Hematoma - These bumps develop following a traumatic injury.
  • Warts - A number of factors can lead to the growth of warts.

Schedule an Exam for Your Houston Pet Today

If you’ve discovered a new lump or bump on your cat or dog, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Tanglewilde Veterinary Clinic in Houston. Our veterinarians will perform a thorough physical examination, talk with you about any other symptoms you might have noticed, and take care of any necessary diagnostic testing. If it’s determined that treatment is necessary, we’ll discuss all of your pet’s options with you to determine the best course of action. To schedule an appointment, contact us today.