mast cells? fatty tumors?

[samlou97]

Our dog Sam is 12 years old and is a cockapoo. In the last few months he has developed lumps, one is large which is under his skin and is above his pee pee and the other one is on the back of his leg. We took him to the vet but were told that they were fatty tumors. Our other cockapoo has fatty tumors but there nothing like Sammy's. The one on the back of Sam's leg is almost like a flesh colored/reddish ball. The one above his pee pee is internal and quite large and had been getting smaller but is back to original size, it almost feels like 2 separate tumors.. It doesn't hurt him but it's making is privates hang down lower. I looked up lumps online and there is this other kind of tumor called mast cells which can be cancerous. Sam has always been so healthy but its like he's coming out at the seams??

[tkat]

Hi, my dal Sooner had a mast cell tumor. It did not get smaller, the first one she had was on the inside of her bottom, side lip, the second on her shoulder. The only way to know for sure if it is a mast cell if for the vet to aspirate? it and send it off to be tested. Please watch these tumors carefully.

[Stewie'sSlave]

My uncles dog (Around 13 I think) Has a couple lumps on her too. But they don't seem to bother her, So they're just gonna watch her carefully. I think she's a lapso.

[littleguysmom]

It's true that the only way to tell is to test the lump. My dog Bailey developed quite a few in his later years and we tested the first few and then quit. They were all benign and as he was too old to go through cancer treatment unless they were bothering him we didn't test or take them out. If the lump is free moving, not attached, then they are most likely fatty tumors. If they are hard and do not move they should be tested.

[kian]

The Poodle side is notorious for getting those bumps, as always only a vet can diagnosis it.

[Nileska]

I had some experience with mast cell tumors a few years ago... One of my best Siberian Huskys and the mother of 16 puppies..[in 3 breedings] presented with a tumor on her tail which was fast growing and itchy. After surgery it refused to heal and began regrowing so the tail was removed. All went well for allmost a year. The the cancer returned,this time in her chest at the shoulder. When we discovered it was growing rapidly the vet informed us that it could not be completely be removed but it could be debulked. After the first surgery it was nearly healed when it started growing again. A second surgery was done to debulk again. This time the wound refused to heal and after a long period of changeing bandages several times a day she began uncontroled bleeding and we had to let her go. She was a tough cookie and a trouper to the end.

The diagnosis of malignant mast cell cancer is confirmed by needle biopsy. Some of the sighns I have seen include fast growth and itching [this may not apply in all cases but is common]. I myself have had a benighn fatty tumor which was removed after a number of years,it never grew or bothered me in any way. If your dog is not obsessively licking or chewing at the site it may just be a fatty tumor. Your dog schould have many years left. Definitely consult your vet to see if the dignosis is certain or needs to be confirmed by biopsy. Surgery may be an option if the tumor is too intrusive.

Best Wishes....Richard

[lucky&babesmom]

Lucky has a fatty tumor on his chest. The vet. said not to worry about it . It doesn't hurt him, so we just watch since he's 14 years old. Listen to your vet. and try not to worry.

[samlou97]

I'm overwhelmed by all the posts on sammy's possible mast cell or fatty tumor. Thanks so much for all your experience and helpful information! We are taking him next week to the vet. We will have our little Sammy 12 years on Valentine's day and love him so very much. He's been with us for all the good times and has been a true loving friend through the bad. No matter what the outcome is we will treat him with respect and love!! Keep the comments and concern coming!

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

I'm glad you are going to take him and have the lump biopsied. They simply take some fluid from the lump and test it. My Black Lab, Sally had a similar bump behind her front fore. The vet initially thought it was nothing, but tested it anyway. It was cancer and it was removed.

The good news is that she was only 6 at the time, and I was told to expect this type of cancer to return, much like Richard described. However, it did not return. She lived a very happy, full life to the age of 13, which is good for a larger breed dog.

Stay positive and please keep us posted. The DP is a wonderfully supportive community.

[princelover]

Prince has a small pinhead sized fatty tumor on the side of his neck. His vet said not to worry unless it changes in size, color or tenderness but I still worry about it. I think I am going to request a needle biopsy the next time we go in just to be on the safe side, although it hasn't changed any in 3 years. My vet said they are quite common in canines.

[dogmommy]

My beloved 13 year old dachshund had several fast growing bumps in her shoulder area. The vet took a needle aspiration and was immediately able to see that they were mast tumors. He was actually surprised by the result and says that he ALWAYS checks by microscope even when it seems to be a harmless bump or fatty growth. I would urge you to check! She had surgery the next week and he removed them with wide margins. The vet says they often come back, but it is very hard to predict. He felt that the early detection would help. So far it has been year and no signs of return. She is a trooper and the most loving doxie ever!

[samlou97]

I wanted to update you on my post about a possible mast cell tumor in our 12 yr old puppy Sammy. I'm thrilled to say that the lumps were fatty tumors not cancer! We took him for surgery in April and he had two lumps removed. We didn't know if it was serious until after the surgery so we were very nervous! They both were very large so he had a large incision that we had to make sure he left alone for at least 2 weeks. we also had his teeth cleaned and 6 teeth removed that were infected. his breath has never smelled so good! He has no problem with eating and just seems happier and is fully recovered. The surgery all together was 1400.00 but worth every dime. Please get any lumps checked by your vet because you just can never predict the outcome! Thanks again for all your replies and best wishes.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Samlou, that is terrific news! I am so very happy to hear that everything is alright. $1,400.00 is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Thank you so much for the update. I'm sure your thread will be helpful to others.

[princelover]

Prince goes for his annual tomorrow and I am going to request the needle biopsy on his lump at that time. While there has been no change, it does concern me as I had one dog die from cancer and old age. I just hope the bill isn't $1400.00 but it will be worth every penny to ease my mind in regards.

[gsdhaven]

My dog had a mast cell tumor on her side a couple of years ago. My other dog had sebaceous (sp?) cysts & fatty tumors and they felt completely different. The mast cell tumor was very, very hard and not very moveable.... It really seemed to irritate the dog when you tried to manipulate it (wasn't very large, about the size of a pecan).

I also had a vet look at the mast cell tumor and was told it was probably just a cyst or fatty tumor... Luckily, I was back at the vets within a month for another issue and another vet looked at the lump and immediately aspirated it and looked at the cells under a microscope. She confirmed within minutes that it was a mast cell tumor, which is a form of cancer in canines. If the vet didn't do this, insist upon it.

If they can remove the tumors early enough, the chances are that your dog will be fine. Mine was!!!!! They'll send the tumors away for grading (just like they do with humans) and that will give you the final prognosis. Be prepared for the fact that if it is a mast cell, the vet will take wide margins (just like they do with humans) so it's a pretty major surgery. My dog's incision was about 5" Long to remove a pecan size tumor. I was surprised by this, but whatever it took to get it was fine by me. Recovery can be dicey because the mast cells contain histamines which are often released during the surgery. Histamines will make the site "itchy" and the dog might be more likely to "bother" the area. I know I ended up having to put her in a huge cone after she ripped out about 4 of her staples in the middle of the night!!!!

Good luck!!!!