How can I tell the difference between a tumor and a fat deposit on my dog?

Question

I have a 11 year old cocker spaniel, and in the past year her body has developed quite a few little "warts" of fat deposit all over her body (vet verified). She has quite a large one near her leg that we got checked out a few months ago and they informed us it was just fat. But just today when I was petting her I noticed it got much larger, like maybe a golf ball cut in half or a bit larger. Is this a cause for concern? Should I see the vet again? Is there a way I can tell by touch if its fat or a real tumor?

Answer 1

You should be a responsible dog owner and take him to the vet rather than asking the people on answers who 99.99% of the time give incorrect info.

Answer 2

No, you can't tell by touching it or looking at it if it's "just" a cebasious cyst, wart or otherwise.  A biopsy will provide answers.

It's fairly common for veteran dogs to develop lumps and bumps, most of which are not cancerous, but if you want to be absolutely certain the vet can remove the cysts and send it to the lab to be evaluated.

***EDIT***

I see most of us have received a thumbs down so I predict you didn't like any of our answers.  So why ask?!

Something I suggested to another poster about a growth on their dog, "As a rule of thumb, all growths should be checked out by your veterinarian to ensure that they are not malignant."

And Mojo... was right on.  An easy way to help you distinguish between a bump that may be an issue and one that is not is to grasp the skin and see if it can be lifted.  If it doesn't separate from the muscle or bone you really should consider having it looked at by your vet.

Also, I think something that shows sudden growth should be checked out too.

Well, that is unless you consider your pet disposable....

Answer 3

I had an older beagle that had this same problem. Its nothing to worry about. The fat deposit has just gotten bigger.

Unless you notice that she begins to walk differently because of discomfort, then there is really no need to take her to the vet again.

Unfortunately there is no way to tell whether or not it is a tumor just by touch. Fat and abnormal growths feel very much the same.

Even if it was a cancerous tumor, if you dog is older it may be best just to let it be. The severity of the treatment may harm them and sadden them more than a tumor ever would.

Answer 4

take her to the vet.  she's getting older.

Answer 5

Generally it takes a vet's eye to tell the difference.  

The thing about fatty tumors is that they can flip to the dark side with very little warning or provocation.  Meaning, the benign tumors can turn malignant at any time.

Another great reason to have it checked by a vet.

Answer 6

i think you should take you dog to the vet and ask them to get x rays done. cause then it will help celify what your dog has. i had to do this with my dog and she had that too and they were lil tumors so go to the vet hope your dog gets better :]!

Answer 7

Well with our dog, the fat deposit is NOT NEARLY has hard as a tumor the tumor felt like a rock sticking out,. we got it removed and she is a okay so usually i would say its harder  

Answer 8

well they kinda feel the same so i would get a biopsy to make sure. tumors are not a wait and see kind of thing.

Answer 9

shes partially right, A fatty tumor is round like a bubble, fat cells are round and when they collect up under the skin they make a half sphere like shape and they move around a littler when you apply pressure, a cancer tumor or tumor is irregular in shape and it its usually harder to the touch, and it doesn't move around under the skin, it seems to be connected internally. The only sure way to know is to have a vet check it .

Answer 10

If it's soft and feels squishy, it's just fat.  Tumors are hard.  

Answer 11

Tumor is a catchall word for lump or bump or growth of any kind.  Any time a tumor gets bigger, you should have it checked out.  Some fatty tumors can get pretty big but not hurt the dog.  Still, it's better to be sure your dog is OK.

Answer 12

There are "fatty tumors", and then there are tumors...

Just do this little test...Grab the mass and "wiggle" it.

Does it have a lot of give to it ?

Or does it seem "anchored".

If you can wiggle it and it doesn't seemed to be really anchored to bone or muscle, it's just a fatty tumor.. :-)

Not a threat...Just something that almost all older spaniels develope.

If it feels like it's totally anchored on to something ? That's when you worry....Hope I've helped.. :-)