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Canine lipoma
Posted: Feb 10, 2010
I have a 12yo lab mix who has a huge, and I mean huge lipoma on her back/side as well as many other smaller bumps around her body. The big one has grown significantly in the past year from the size of a softball to the size of a oblong medium watermelon. So far the vet has said that surgery to remove it may be more dangerous than to just let it be. We have not had any biopsies to date because of the expense and fear of putting her under anesthesia. Has anyone else dealt with anything like this before? I just wonder how big it can really get. It seems her skin is already stretch to the limit, and I wonder if she is in any pain. It does not appear that the bump is causing any pain. However, she walks with some arthritis, and I'm sure it feels like a backpack weighing down the side of her back. She also has begun sleeping in 2 hours later than usual this year for the first time which is a change, so I know it is probably the beginning of the end so to speak.
She is so sweet and has kept me company working at home all these years. I know the day will come when she is no longer with me, and I want to enjoy all the time I can with her. However, I also don't want to prolong anything that might be causing her pain.
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Has your vet offered anything for pain? nm - MT4ever
[ In Reply To ..]xx
pain - dogluvr
[ In Reply To ..]nothing has been recommended specially for pain that may be coming from the lipoma itself; however the vet said we could start her on an aspirin a day for the arthritis if we ran some labs first.
Canine Lipoma - Snookums
[ In Reply To ..]My 11-year-old male Dobie had several "lipomas," the largest of which was in his left armpit. It did not seem to be bothering him, but I was concerned about it possibly interfering with his mobility, and finally decided he was going to have "cosmetic" surgery to remove this. The vet did a biopsy and it revealed malignant lymphoma. Decided against chemo/radiation and gave him a course of steroids. He lasted perhaps 6 weeks after the diagnosis. I would suggest you have this biopsied. Hopefully, this is nothing more than a harmless lipoma, but you may want to know if it is not. Sorry to be so negative--just relating my experience.
Your pet sm - Gem
[ In Reply To ..]I posted earlier about my Golden's problem with osteosarcoma and was quite upset at the time since there was no biopsy, just an x-ray. They told me a biopsy under anesthesia would be dangerous as well as a possible amputation and chemo. I would not put him through this. I do have him on tramadol (1 every 4 hrs. is plenty) and Rimadyl NSAID. He is getting around okay, sleeps well and actually "lights up" again at the smell of food or sight of a child, etc. He wants to walk more on his walks and we are taking super good care of him (as we always did). They predicted 2 mos. survival but if he continues to be kept comfortable, I am hoping for more as long as he's not suffering. It is heartbreaking. Tramadol has not given him any side effects and actually is very helpful, sleeps through the night, etc. My heart goes out to you. Please consider meds and comfort. All my best to you and your pet. It is heart wrenching.
Canine Lipoma - MT4ever
[ In Reply To ..]I would also recommend you have this biopsied - especially since it has grown so much. Hopefully it will be just a simple lipoma, but it's better to be sure. I'll be sending positive thoughts!
thank you all for responding - dogluvr
[ In Reply To ..]and to Snookums and Gem....so sorry for what you have and are going through with this special member of your family:( I am taking her to the vet soon and will be sure to get more info and see what are options are at this point.
Tramadol is a good pet pain reliever - MissAnthrope
[ In Reply To ..]I've read that Tramadol is a very effective pain reliever in our pets. It's relatively inexpensive and safe for dogs and cats.
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