Mary Allen
At first glance, a lipoma may look threatening, since one thinks directly of a tumor and thus of cancer. But lipomas are usually absolutely harmless and do not require any further treatment.
The lipoma – a benign tumor
In principle, lipomas are benign tumors, whereby a tumor simply describes a “growth” or “growth” and does not directly mean cancer. Lipomas are basically fatty growths under the skin that mostly appear in older dogs. They often appear on the abdomen, but can also appear on the limbs and chest.
Any dog can get lipomas. However, bitches, in particular, seem to be more likely to be “haunted” by lipomas. Why this is so has not yet been clearly clarified. It is assumed that there is a hormonal advantage on the one hand and a hereditary condition on the other. A lipoma is an increased accumulation of fat cells in a connective tissue capsule, which means that the “bubbles” under the skin can usually be grasped easily, can be moved separately from the rest of the tissue, and can be easily moved.
Do lipomas hurt?
Usually not. A feeling of pressure and tension can only occur when the lipoma degenerates and becomes very large. Then a surgical removal should be considered. As a rule, lipomas are not infiltrating, i.e. they do not grow into the muscles or organs.
Are there different types of lipomas?
Yes, there are two types of lipomas. The most common form is a benign lipoma, which has already been described above. However, there are two other forms: On the one hand, the infiltrative lipoma, which can grow into surrounding tissue, such as muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones and can grow quite quickly and therefore usually has to be surgically removed. And on the other hand a very rare form, namely the “liposarcoma”.
This is a malignant tumor that can also spread and then affect organs such as the spleen, liver, and lungs. The rapid growth of the individual tumors then quickly becomes a problem and can also be life-threatening. However, there is good news: a classic, benign lipoma cannot turn into a liposarcoma.
Diagnosis
If you feel a lump under the skin, you should definitely have it checked out by a veterinarian. As a rule, this will first test whether the gnubbel can be moved easily and independently of the rest of the tissue. If this is the case, the diagnosis “classic lipoma” is very close. However, since mast cell tumors can also show such a clinical picture, it will come down to a fine-needle biopsy one way or the other. That’s the only way to be clear about what’s going on.
The gnubbel is “pierced” with an ultra-fine needle and a small tissue sample is taken, which is examined in the laboratory. No anesthetic or anything similar is required for this type of examination. However, if this fine-needle biopsy is not sufficient and the result is not clear, a correct biopsy is often necessary. A short anesthetic is necessary for this, as in this case a large amount of tissue is removed.
Depending on the location, the gnubbel is completely removed during this short anesthesia and then sent to the laboratory in its entirety. If a classic lipoma is then found, the treatment is complete. However, if it turns out that it is a liposarcoma, further diagnostic procedures are necessary, such as a full-body X-ray to detect any metastases.
Is prevention possible?
Unfortunately, no. The only way of “prevention” is to regularly check whether there are any lumps and to show them to the veterinarian early on and have them clarified. Even in the case of a liposarcoma, there may be the possibility that metastasis can be prevented through early detection and complete healing can be achieved through the removal of the sarcoma.
Fatty lumps on dogs
A lipoma in dogs is a benign tumor of fatty tissue. Fatty lumps usually appear in older dogs. Older bitches are particularly affected. Lipoma in dogs is one of the most common subcutaneous tumors.
Dog lipoma growing fast
How Fast Can a Dog Lipoma Grow?
Since they are not attached to the surrounding tissue, the bump can easily be pushed back and forth under the skin. The lipoma is not painful for dogs. The fatty tumors usually grow rather slowly but can assume considerable proportions.
Can lipomas grow in dogs?
Liposarcoma in dogs is a malignant form of lipoma and is very rare. Lipomas in dogs primarily grow on the sides of the abdomen, chest, and legs. They often get quite large and can cause problems in unfavorable places due to their size, for example when walking.
How fast does liposarcoma grow in dogs?
Growth. Liposarcomas in dogs usually grow strongly infiltratively into the surrounding tissue. These tumors often grow very quickly, destroying muscles, tendons, and nerves. Rarely do liposarcomas form metastases and affect other internal organs.