Fatty tissue

LIPOMAS IN DOGS

Many of us will have come across lumps and bumps on our dogs that have been the cause of great concern. We always tend to expect the worst in these scenarios, and cancer is always a very real concern when it comes to our pets.

Thankfully, one of the more common lumps and bumps in dogs are the non-cancerous lesions called lipomas. So, what are these lesions, and when do they cause issues?

WHAT IS A LIPOMA?

A lipoma is a benign or non-cancerous tumour of fat cells often found on your middle-aged or older dogs and either located inside or outside of the body. They are commonly found under the skin on the abdomen, chest or legs, although they can be found anywhere on or in the dog’s body.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS

They may or may not cause discomfort for your dog, depending on where they are situated and whether they interfere with the animal’s daily life, mainly in terms of their mobility. Should the lipoma grow between the layers of muscle, it is referred to as an infiltrative lipoma, and if fastgrowing, it can affect blood supply and cause pain.

The condition is generally most likely to be found in overweight dogs. However, some overweight dogs will go their whole lives without ever developing a lipoma, and some leaner dogs will get several. There are also some breeds of dogs which seem to be predisposed to developing lipomas, and these include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and Doberman Pinschers.

CAUSE

There doesn’t seem to be a specific cause for lipomas in dogs, although the consensus amongst veterinary professionals is that there is a combination of genetic and environmental factors which contribute to the development of the fatty lumps.

DIAGNOSIS

The shape and feel of a lipoma can vary but it is usually a soft, round lump. Their mobility depends on whether they are stuck to any surrounding tissues or not. Your vet will assess any lumps or bumps and may or may not perform a fine-needle aspirate to determine whether the lesion is indeed just a lipoma or a far more dangerous cancerous liposarcoma. A fine-needle aspirate involves using a small needle with a syringe and taking a sample of cells from the tumour, and then examining those cells under a microscope to see what they are. If the results of the fine-needle aspirate are unclear, your veterinarian may also choose to do a biopsy.

TREATMENT

The most effective treatment for lipomas in dogs is surgical removal, although sometimes lipomas do return after an operation. Therefore, some vets will suggest monitoring the lump and paying attention for any changes in size, shape, or feel. You can use your cellphone to easily take photos and note the size of the lump every few months or so. This provides an accurate record of changes.

NOTE: Sometimes, weight loss can also assist in reducing the size of lipomas.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

If you are concerned about any lumps you have found on your dog, it is best to have your vet check them and advise on the recommended way forward.