Dog Lip Lump: Knowing the Difference Between Benign and Malignant

Dog lip lumps can be alarming, but most are benign, meaning non-cancerous. According to veterinary experts, about 75% of lip lumps in dogs are benign.

The most common benign lip lumps in dogs are lipomas, which are fatty tumors that can grow on the lips or mouth. Lipomas are usually soft to the touch and move easily when pressed.

Malignant lip lumps, on the other hand, are rare but require immediate attention. A study found that only about 1 in 10 lip lumps in dogs are cancerous, but they can be aggressive and spread quickly if left untreated.

If you notice a lump on your dog's lip, it's essential to have it checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine its cause and severity.

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Lipomas are a common type of lump found on older dogs, typically on the chest or abdomen, and are actually benign tumors of fat cells.

They can grow slowly over time, taking around 6 months to become noticeable.

A fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the only way to confirm if a lump is a lipoma.

Lipomas usually don't require treatment, but may need to be removed if they occur in difficult positions like the legs or armpits, or if they're found in younger dogs.

It's essential to get your vet's professional opinion before assuming a lump is a lipoma, as many lumps can feel and look identical.

A hernia occurs when a tissue or organ protrudes through another into an abnormal place on the body, often causing a lump or bump.

Allergic reactions and abscesses can also cause lumps and bumps on your pet.

Your veterinarian will likely use one or more of the following tests to determine the type of lump or bump on your dog's lip and the treatment required. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a common procedure that can be performed during a consultation without sedation, and about 95% of lumps and bumps can be diagnosed via FNA.

To complete an FNA, your vet will insert a small needle into the lump to suck out cells, which are then deposited onto a slide and viewed under a microscope. If the FNA isn't diagnostic or only contains blood/fluid, your vet might take a biopsy of the lump, which requires sedation and pain medication.

Biopsy involves surgically removing a small sample of the lump, suturing the site, and submitting the sample to an outside laboratory for evaluation by a veterinary pathologist. The results can take three to seven days, but are often superior to those from cytology alone.

Even if your veterinarian evaluates the lump and determines it to be a benign growth, it's still a good habit to periodically check the size of the lump, as even benign growths can slowly grow and become troublesome to your pet.

Here are some common tests your vet may use to diagnose dog lip lumps:

Benign lumps and bumps in dogs are often harmless, but it's still important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian. Your vet may use cytology to examine the lump, which involves aspirating the lump with a small needle and looking at the sample under a microscope.

Even if the lump is determined to be benign, it's a good habit to periodically check its size. Benign growths can slowly grow and become troublesome to your pet if left untreated.

If your vet determines that the lump is malignant, it's essential to have a plan in place for removal or treatment. In some cases, a full surgical excision may be necessary to remove the entire growth and ensure that all cancerous cells are removed.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you understand the difference between benign and malignant lumps:

Histiocytoma is a fast-growing, pink button-like lump that looks identical to mast cell tumours when small. It's often found in dogs under a year of age.

These lumps are usually benign and will often stop growing and shrink all by themselves.

A fine needle aspiration is helpful in diagnosing histiocytoma, as is the age of the dog. The vet will consider these factors to determine the best course of action.

If the lump starts shrinking in 2 weeks, no treatment is necessary.

Benign lumps and bumps are not a cause for concern, but it's still important to have them evaluated by your veterinarian. Even benign growths can slowly grow and ultimately need to be removed so they don’t become troublesome to your pet.

Your veterinarian can determine if a lump is benign or malignant through various tests, including cytology, mapping, and biopsy. A cytology test can be completed in the clinic and usually doesn't require sedation, while a biopsy may require sedation and pain medication.

Some lumps, like histiocytomas, are fast-growing but usually stop growing and shrink on their own, especially in dogs under a year of age. In fact, if a histiocytoma starts shrinking in two weeks, no treatment is necessary.

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However, mast cell tumours are a type of cancer that can look like many other tumours, so it's vital to have them diagnosed accurately by a vet. They're most common in dogs older than 8 years of age and can be diagnosed with a fine needle aspiration.

Here's a summary of the types of lumps and bumps mentioned in the article:

Remember, any lump or bump, new or old, big or small, should always be evaluated by your veterinarian. They may conduct one or more tests, including fine needle aspiration, impression smear, biopsy, or lab test, to determine the type of lump or bump and the treatment required.

If you notice a lump on your dog's lip, it's essential to get it checked by your local vet right away. They can determine if it's a harmless growth or something more serious.

Your veterinarian may perform a cytology test, which involves aspirating the lump with a small needle and examining the sample under a microscope. This test can usually be done in-clinic without sedation.

To prepare for the vet visit, it's a good idea to mark the lump with a marker or draw a circle around it, especially if it's hard to find or your dog has a thick coat.

Here are the next steps your vet may take:

The earlier a lump or bump is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment will likely be.

If your dog has a lump or bump, get it checked by your local vet straight away.

Run your fingers through their coat on a regular basis to notice any changes that occur.

The earlier a lump or bump is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment will likely be.

Take your dog to the vet for immediate examination if you feel a lump or bump while checking their coat.

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If you've noticed a new lump on your dog, or an existing lump has changed size, colour, or texture, it's time to call the vets.

Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are essential for monitoring any changes in your dog's lumps. Your veterinarian can perform various tests to determine the type of growth, such as cytology, which involves aspirating the lump with a small needle and examining the sample under a microscope.

If your veterinarian determines that your dog's lump needs further evaluation, they may recommend a local biopsy, which requires sedation and pain medication. This test involves surgically removing a small sample of the growth, which is then submitted to a laboratory for evaluation.

Your veterinarian will also want to monitor the size and growth of your dog's lump over time. If it's rapidly growing, they may recommend a next step, such as a full surgical excision, where the entire growth is removed and submitted to a pathologist for evaluation.

Here are some signs that you should call the vets:

By being proactive and monitoring your dog's lumps, you can help ensure that any potential problems are caught early and treated promptly.