As pet care professionals, we are sleuths when it comes to inconsistencies in your pet. Recently, our sitter Devon called to ask if Zoey had ever had a lump on her side. Zoey, a sweet 10-year-old lab, has been part of the WHPS Family for five years, but we hadn't seen her in about a month. Immediately, we contacted Zoey’s parents and they assured us it was a lipoma. A LIP-WHAT? Lipoma.
Lipomas are a type of skin tumor. Not to be worried, Zoey’s was benign (they don’t travel to other parts of the body, so they are viewed as non-cancerous). These lumps are slow-growing fat cells that form under the skin. Most of the time, dogs won’t even notice them. However, if they do grow and press on internal organs or interfere with a dog’s ability to move, they need to be removed.
As always, any lump that is seen or felt on your pet should be examined by your vet as soon as it is detected to ensure it is not malignant. Labs, sheepdogs and Dobermans are most at risk for lipomas.
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