My Pet Has A Strange New Lump - What Happens Now?
As the years go by, we grow to know everything about our beloved pets. Ranging from their favorite meals to their most enjoyed activities, we know it all. That’s why when you suddenly stumble upon a strange new lump on their skin that was not there before, you are immediately flooded with concern about what it could be.
So what is this new lump on your pet’s skin, and what should you do now that you’ve found it? Our team at Vetted wants to guide you through every step of this process, so let’s discuss everything you need to know about your pet’s new lump, and the best plans of action moving forward!
Watch The Lump Closely
From the moment you find a lump on your pet’s skin, we suggest keeping a close eye on the area for the days or weeks to come. Not only is this essential for determining if this is something minor like a bug bite or simple skin irritation, you will also want to have this information ready for your vet.
If this lump goes away within a few days of you noticing it, then it is very possible that it was a simple bug bite that does not require any further care. However, if the lump persists for more than a week, or if you notice any growth in the lump, then it is time to have it checked out by a vet near you. You can also send a picture of your pet’s lump to our Vetted Vet Pros on the app, and we can help you determine whether or not your little one should be seen by a vet immediately. We are here to offer you support from the moment you discover this strange lump.
We also suggest making a note of when you first noticed the lump, and keeping track of any changes that occur as the days pass. This can help your vet in terms of understanding the lump’s history, as well as getting to the bottom of what the strange new lump could be.
If you need some help with tracking your pet’s lump or general health, we suggest downloading the Vetted app and using our weekly check in feature! This can help you stay on top of every aspect of your pet’s care, and even show these weekly check ins to your vet at their next appointment.
Have Them Assessed By Your Vet
If your pet’s lump is still present after a week of monitoring the area, then we suggest having the lump checked out by your vet. There are a variety of lumps and bumps that our little ones can develop on their body, with these growths ranging from benign to serious in nature. There is no way to know exactly what your pet is dealing with by simply looking at the lump at home, so it is essential to have it checked out by your trusted veterinarian.
We always suggest having your pet seen if their lump is still present after a week of noticing it, but you should see a vet even sooner if it seems like your little one's lump is painful. Sometimes these lumps on their skin can actually be a brewing infection known as an abscess, and this requires immediate treatment to relieve the pain and stop the infection from progressing.
If you have any questions about your pet’s new lump, you can always reach out to our Vetted Vet Pros on the Vetted app! We have a team of skilled veterinary professionals ready to answer your questions at any time when you become a Vetted member, allowing you to turn to us 24/7 for pet health guidance!
What To Expect At The Vet At Their Lump Check
We want you to be as prepared as possible for your pet’s lump check at the vet, so let’s break down everything you can expect from their appointment! Let’s start by first listing the most common questions your vet will ask when they see your pet.
Some of the questions that you can expect about your pet’s new lump include:
- When did you first notice the lump?
- Has the lump grown since you first noticed it?
- Has the lump changed in appearance at all? Color, shape, texture, etc.?
- Does the lump come and go?
- Has your pet ever had a lump like this before?
- Does your pet seem to be bothered by the lump? Pawing, scratching, or biting at the lump?
- Was there a recent trauma or injury in the area the lump developed?
- Have you noticed any changes in your pet’s general health and behavior? Any strange symptoms like appetite changes, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.?
Once your vet asks you some of the questions listed above, they will then take a close look at the lump and the surrounding area. If the vet thinks the lump is benign and nothing to worry about, they may simply suggest monitoring the lump and keeping an eye out for any changes in appearance or size. If they are concerned with the lump’s appearance, they may then suggest performing a couple tests that can help them determine what this strange lump could be.
The first testing option that your vet may suggest is a fine needle aspirate (FNA). An FNA involves puncturing the lump with a needle and suctioning up any cells, and then placing these suctioned cells on a microscope slide. Your vet will then look at the slide under a microscope and identify which types of cells are present, and this can help your vet diagnose the type of lump in some cases.
A fine needle aspirate is not always an accurate diagnostic tool for each type of lump, so your vet may also suggest taking a tissue biopsy of the lump. This will typically involve either numbing the area or offering your pup a mild sedation, and taking a small tissue sample of the area they are concerned with. Your vet will then send the sample to a lab to be examined, and they will go over the results with you once the results are in.
Keep in mind that if your pet is also experiencing any strange symptoms or health decline, your vet may also suggest other diagnostics such as blood tests and x-rays. This is not the case for every strange lump and bump in our pet’s, but it is something to keep in mind if your little one is struggling in other ways as well.
How Will My Vet Treat My Pet’s Lump?
As we mentioned above, there are many types of lumps and bumps our little ones can develop on their body. This can include fatty growths called lipomas, inflammatory lumps from allergies, abscesses due to an infection, and even growths that are cancerous in nature. Each of these lumps are entirely different, so you can imagine just how varied their treatment options will be based on what type of lump they are dealing with.
Some lumps will not require any treatment at all, while others will need to be removed and managed by a skin specialist for dogs and cats. Due to how varied the treatment options will be based on the type of lump your pet has, we suggest following your vet’s guidance based on their exam and test results. Keep in mind that some veterinary specialists like dermatologists will have quite a long waiting list, so it’s important to act quickly to have your pet seen just in case they need to be referred to another speciality.
You can also reach out to our Vetted Vet Pros for further guidance on your pet’s diagnosis, as we are always here to offer you additional guidance and comfort when it comes to your pet’s care! We know how scary and confusing this process can be, so we want to be here to offer you support each step of the way.
Financials For Lump Treatment In Pets
Our team at Vetted wants you to be as prepared as possible for your lump assessment with your vet, so let’s break down some average costs to expect at this appointment. Some of these diagnostics will vary based on the type of lump your vet suspects, but let’s list a few averages!
Physical exam: $60-$100
Fine needle aspirate (FNA): $50-$75
Sedation if needed: $50-$100
Tissue biopsy & lab testing: $200-$500
Be sure to ask your vet to give you an estimate for all costs along the way, that way you can know exactly what will appear on your invoice at the end of the visit!
Final Thoughts
Our team at Vetted will be at your side as you move through the journey of diagnosing and treating your pet’s strange new lump. If you have any questions about your little one’s lump after their trip to the vet, be sure to reach out to our Vetted Vet Pros for additional guidance!
