Lumps and Bumps

Advanced Animal Care Center
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Lumps and Bumps

It is quite common to find unusual lumps and bumps on any area of your pet’s body, particularly as they age. This paper will help you decide what is the most likely problem and what action to take. *Note: I will not be discussing any skin diseases such as fleas, mites or skin infections that do not cause an actual raised lump or mass.

TYPES OF SKIN MASSES

ABSCESSES
Abscesses are localized areas of inflammation that can occur anywhere in or on the body. Abscesses are most commonly created by bacteria but they can also be caused by fungi or noninfectious irritants and be sterile. Abscesses can form after punctures or tears, as with bites, or as a result of an infection in a specific tissue such as a tooth or anal gland. Multiple small abscesses can form internally when an infectious agent travels through the blood and then lodges in various tissues such as the liver, kidney or lungs. Fortunately, abscesses are uncommon in the United States and are most often associated with infected anal glands, infected teeth, or the prostate gland. Abscesses are rarely seen post surgically if standard sterile technique is used. Abscesses in the skin can appear quickly and may be firm and painful when touched. An abscess is surrounded by a reddened and inflamed area and feels warm to the touch. In my experience, most abscesses in your pets skin will readily. An abscess in the skin that does not involve any deep tissues will move with the skin. A swelling will appear on either side of the anus in the case of anal gland abscesses. The stools can become thin and ribbon-like due to pressure by the large abscess on the rectal wall. Dental abscesses are usually associated with either a canine tooth or an upper molar. Dental abscesses appear as hard lumps either on the lower jaw, usually near the chin, or on the upper jaw, often under or just in front of the eye. Abscesses should be treated as soon as possible. Besides being painful, there is a potential that an abscess can spread into deeper tissues allowing the bacteria to enter the blood stream. This could lead to a condition known as septicemia where the infectious organism is circulating throughout the body via the blood. Septicemia can lead to internal abscess formation or an overwhelming infection and death.

CYSTS
A cyst is a closed sac in or under the skin that is lined with epithelium, which are cells bound together by connective material, and contain fluid or semisolid material. Cysts are usually round, firm to the touch and moveable with the skin. Cysts, unlike abscesses, do not have red, inflamed skin surrounding them and are not usually painful. A cyst can occasionally form after a vaccination. This is an inflammatory response to chemicals that the vaccine contains and may appear up to one month after the vaccination and take six months or longer to disappear. Cysts are not dangerous, and are usually painless. However, they can increase in size and eventually become uncomfortable. It is best to have cysts removed while they are still small. SIALOCELE A sialocele is an accumulation of saliva under the skin of the lower jaw or neck. The saliva leaks out of a salivary duct damaged by either trauma or other disease, and forms a pocket under the skin. Sialoceles are painless and soft and fluctuant to the touch. They usually do not move with the skin. Sialoceles are not life threatening, but should be treated surgically because they rarely disappear on their own and can become quite large.

LYMPH NODES
Lymph nodes can be enlarged for a number of reasons, most notably lymphosarcoma, which is a type of cancer, and lymphoid hyperplasia, which is where lymph nodes are “overreacting” to some stimulus. Lymph nodes are found all over the body, but are most easily felt in the neck at the angle of the jaw, just in front of the shoulders, in the armpits, in the groin and along the back of the thighs. Enlarged lymph nodes do no move with the skin because they are connected to deeper tissues, but they can be felt just under the skin. Enlarged lymph nodes should be investigated as soon as possible so appropriate action can be taken. NEOPLASIA (CANCER) Pets can develop a wide variety of skin cancers including mastocytomas, histiocyotomas, sebaceous gland adenomas and adenocarcinomas, basal cell tumors, lymphoma, leiomyomas, lipomas, fibromas, fibrosarcomas and hemangiomas to name a few. The name of the tumor is based on the type of tissue that is cancerous. There are a few tumors that can be highly malignant and can spreading quickly, so we recommend all skin tumors be removed without delay and be identified by a pathologist. If the tumor involves only the skin, it will be moveable. Some tumors involve deeper tissue such as fibromas and fibrosarcomas or the tumors on the tail tip called chordomas, and will not be freely moveable. Most skin tumors are small, painless lumps, but some may become itchy, ulcerated, painful or quite large over time.

DIAGNOSIS
If your pet develops a skin lump you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. The first part of the diagnostic process is the physical examination. Some masses are readily identifiable during the examination and treatment may be prescribed without further diagnostics. If the diagnosis is unclear, your veterinarian may biopsy the mass with a needle. Biopsies are often done while the animal is awake because the procedure is quick and relatively painless. If a larger or deeper sample is needed it may be necessary to use a local or general anesthetic. The biopsy sample is examined under the microscope either in your veterinarian's office or is sent to a veterinary pathologist. Abscesses and sialoceles can often be diagnosed immediately based on the material extracted from the lump. A microscopic examination of the biopsy sample will be necessary to differentiate types or presence of cancer. Additionally, an x-ray may be recommended if an abscess is present, especially of the teeth, or if a malignant tumor is suspected. For all suspected malignant tumors, an x-ray of the chest should be performed to determine if the tumor has spread. A complete blood cell count and/or serum biochemistry might be performed in the case of abscesses, enlarged lymph nodes and tumors to detect abnormalities in other organs and the immune system. These blood tests may also be performed to determine if your pet is in good enough health to undergo surgery if it is the recommended treatment.

TREATMENT
The recommended treatment for most skin masses is complete surgical removal. In the case of abscesses, it may be advantageous to put the pet on oral antibiotics first and then surgically remove the abscess along with its thickened wall after some of the swelling has subsided. The source of the abscess should be removed such as an infected tooth or an infected anal gland. Cysts should be removed if they are persistent or become enlarged. Sialoceles are treated by draining the pocket of saliva and then keeping the area open until it heals. If multiple lymph nodes are enlarged, it is necessary to remove at least one to determine the cause and future treatment. In my opinion, all skin tumors should be removed as soon as possible because of the potential for malignancy. Since most pets are excellent surgical candidates with the proper anesthesia, I often do not biopsy a tumor presurgically, but rather remove it entirely and then have it examined by a pathologist postoperatively. It is important to have a pathologist make a diagnosis on a surgically removed mass to determine if future treatment is necessary. Although the prognosis for aggressive, malignant tumors is guarded to grave, some pets benefit from chemo or other therapy postsurgically. It is my opinion that one should never adopt a “wait and see attitude” in pets with skin tumors. It is much easier to prevent localized disease with early removal than deal with systemic problems because you waited too long. Skin masses are usually removed under a general anesthesia. Either conventional surgical techniques are employed or electrosurgery. Unless the lump was an abscess, or the surgical site was grossly contaminated, it should be unnecessary to use antibiotics postsurgically. Sutures or staples may be placed in the skin or absorbable sutures may be hidden under the skin. You should examine the surgical site at least twice a day for any drainage, swelling or loss of sutures. If the surgical site was large or very deep, the pet will benefit from the use of analgesics for a few days postoperatively. So…as you can see, this need not be a complex issue. If you find a lump, get it attended to now, not later. Be prepared that often the best course of action is surgical removal. Your pet will thank for your prompt action!

What is Laparoscopy

Because Your Pet deserves the Best Care available

What is Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive technique for viewing the internal structures of the abdomen. A laparoscope (camera) inserted through a small incision in the abdomen magnifies internal structures of the abdomen on a TV monitor for thorough examination. Additional small incisions are made to facilitate the use of surgical instruments. The most common application of laparoscopy is biopsy. In recent years, laparoscopy has been adopted as less traumatic and less painful alternative to traditional spays.

What is the Difference?

Traditional Spays

In traditional spays a 2” to 3” incision is made in the abdomen through which the ovarian ligament is torn from the abdominal wall. This tearing may cause bruising to the abdominal wall and postoperative pain. By performing the procedure laparoscopically the patient experiences less trauma and minimal pain.

Laparoscopic Spays

In laparoscopic spays the procedure is performed through two or three small incisions in the abdomen, typically 3/16” in size depending the size of the animal. With the laparoscope we are able to perform the surgery with magnified views of the organs, allowing for greater precision. The ovarian ligament is carefully cut and cauterized, rather than torn. With laparoscopic spays we are able to offer our patients reduced pain, minimal recovery time and less trauma than with traditional spays.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Spays over Traditional Surgery

1.) Smaller incisions are less painful and reduce recovery time.
2.) Controlled cuts minimize pain and bruising caused by tearing tissue in traditional spays.
3.) Simple to perform and involves few complications
4.) Allows for excellent visualization of abdominal organs.
5.) The entire surgery is performed through a few tiny incisions rather than a larger abdominal opening.
6.) In larger breed dog’s gastropexy can be performed at the time of spay.

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Beware of conterfeit pest products for dogs and cats

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Beware of counterfeit pest products for dogs and cats
Pet owners shopping for Frontline, Advantage and other flea control products for their pets should be on the lookout for counterfeit versions of those products appearing on retailers' shelves. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these products are packaged in cartons designed to look like legitimate versions of Advantage and Frontline but are not approved by the EPA. These counterfeit products may be missing instruction leaflets required by U.S. law. The packages also may not feature required child-resistant packaging and the applicators may not be the appropriate size dosage for the animal indicated on the package. Using such products could put your pet at risk, as the counterfeit products may contain too much or too little dosage of the active ingredients of the pesticide or different ingredients all together, according to the EPA.
The products affected are:
Frontline Top Spot for Cats
Frontline Top Spot for Dogs
Frontline Plus for Cats
Frontline Plus for Dogs
Advantage 10 for Dogs
Advantage 20 for Dogs
Advantage 55 for Dogs
Advantage 100 for Dogs
Advantage 9 for Cats
Advantage 18 for Cats
The packages for the legitimate and counterfeit versions of each product look similar, so you must open the packages and examine the contents inside to determine legitimacy. Legitimate Frontline products will meet the following criteria:
The lot number on the carton and the lot number on the applicator package or individual applicators will match.
The instruction leaflet is included and provides safety information, U.S. telephone numbers and storage and disposal instructions.
The applicator package is child resistant, and directions for opening the applicator package include an illustration that looks like the applicator package.
The applicator package has a notch between each individual applicator package. Text on the package is in English only.
Each individual applicator has a label that includes the name of the manufacturer (Merial); the EPA registration number; the contents measured in fluid ounces (not metric measurement); a list of active ingredients, and the statements "Caution", "Keep out of reach of children" and "See full label for additional directions" in English.
The applicator label for dog products includes the size of the dog in pounds.
For Advantage products, the following criteria can be used to determine legitimacy:
All applicator tubes will feature directions printed in English. Any applicator with instructions in another language is counterfeit.
Applicator tubes will include the EPA registration number, word "WARNING" and a child-safety statement.
Also on the tube is a reference to referring to the main label of the product for directions, as well as the name of the manufacturer (Bayer).
Legitimate products will feature an active ingredient statement that matches the statement on the retail carton. Counterfeit products may feature different statements.
It is important to note that the EPA also considers versions of the drug sold in foreign countries but imported into the United States to be counterfeit as well. Products purchased in foreign countries may not have the same safety warnings or child-resistant packaging as products approved for sale in America, and the dosages and ingredients may be different. If you have purchased counterfeit products, the EPA recommends you dispose of the product according to local solid waste guidelines. You should also notify the staff of the retail outlet you purchased the product from as well as the EPA regional office in your state.