Lumps And Bumps - Cancer

Go in to any department or drug store and you will be impressed and bewildered by all of the lotions and potions aimed at slowing down or reversing the effects of aging on our skin. Luckily our pets don't have to worry about wrinkles; however, their skin is often an indicator of their internal health.

Lumps and bumps are commonly found on senior pets. Some lumps are due to accumulations of fat under the skin, called lipomas, which typically grow slowly. But a lump that appears suddenly, or a bump that starts to bleed, may be cancer. One of the fastest and easiest ways for your veterinarian to determine the identity of a bump is to insert a needle into the lump, remove some cells and have them examined under a microscope. This procedure is known as a fine needle aspirate. It is better to have this quick test performed rather than do the 'wait and see. "

Cancer is a disease that affects all animals. According to the American animal hospital association, it is the number one natural cause of death in our companion animals. Skin cancer is only one of many. Though pets don't normally sun bathe, they can suffer the long term effects of its damaging rays. Light colored areas on a pets' body, especially on its ears and nose, are particularly prone to sun induced cancers. You may first only notice a reddened area or a small wound that heals, only to bleed and scab over again. The lesion may have been present for an extended period of time and suddenly start to grow.

Other types of skin tumors can look like small warts or be extremely large in size. The color and location are not indicators of potential danger.



Here are some of the warning signs to watch for:

1. Lumps or bumps that grow in size, especially very suddenly.

2. Wounds that don't heal.

3. Unexplained weight loss.

4. Loss of conditioning or vitality.

Early detection is the key to a successful outcome. If you notice any of these problems bring it to your veterinarian's attention.