FOUND DOG LUMPS? WHY VETS SAY YOU SHOULD NEVER JUST WAIT AND SEE
It is one of those moments every pet owner dreads, when you are giving your best friend a cuddle and suddenly feel a lump that was not there before.
When it comes to dog lumps, many of us tell ourselves it is probably nothing, but Sydney vets have a timely reminder that a lump can never be judged by looks alone.
During a free lump check campaign last year, almost 15 per cent of the pets examined turned out to have cancerous lumps.
The free lump check campaign
The figures come from Sydney Animal Hospitals, which carried out nearly 1,000 free checks across its seven clinics in last year's campaign, as reported by Pet Industry News.
This year's Lump Amnesty is running until 30 November at its clinics in Newtown, the Inner West, Norwest, Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, Newport and Avalon.
The offer includes a free lump check by a vet, plus free cytology, where a small sample of cells from the lump is examined under a microscope.
Up to three lumps per dog can be sampled, bookings are essential, and other health concerns, further tests or surgery are charged at standard fees.
As a lovely bonus, five per cent of lump removal fees go to Assistance Dogs Australia.
Why dog lumps need a proper check
Director and veterinarian Dr Sam Haynes says lumps are easy to dismiss, especially small ones or those that do not seem to bother your pet.
But as he puts it, "you can't tell whether it's harmless just by looking at it".
He explains that some lumps simply need to be monitored, while others need further testing or treatment.
Getting an early assessment can make a real difference to the options available, and can also help avoid more serious and costly procedures later on.
Breeds that may be more prone
Pet Industry News shared a list of breeds that can be more likely to develop certain types of lumps and tumours.
Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Beagles and Labradors are among the breeds linked to mast cell tumours.
Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Dobermans and Miniature Schnauzers are prone to lipomas, which are fatty lumps.
Golden Retrievers, Dobermans and German Shepherds are listed for soft tissue sarcomas.
Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Scottish Terriers and Dobermans are linked to melanomas.
Squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, can affect Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Whippets, White Shepherds, Boxers and cats too.
Sun safety for pets
With summer on its way, it is worth knowing that short-coated and fair-skinned pets are more vulnerable to sun damage.
That is because UV rays can pass through their coats more easily and damage the skin underneath.
Offering plenty of shade and avoiding the hottest part of the day is kind to their skin as well as helping them stay cool.
How to check your pet at home
Make a habit of gently running your hands over your pet's whole body, perhaps during a weekly brush or a cosy evening on the couch.
Feel along the legs, belly, chest, neck, behind the ears and around the tail, as lumps can hide in all sorts of places.
If you find something, make a note of where it is and roughly how big it feels, and take a photo so you can spot any changes.
Dr Haynes recommends booking a vet visit for any new lump, or any lump that changes in size or appearance.
Remember that plenty of lumps turn out to be harmless, so try not to panic, but do get it looked at.
Even if you are not in Sydney, your local vet can check any lump that worries you.
Our pets cannot tell us when something feels wrong, so a few minutes of gentle checking each week is one of the most loving things we can do for them.
