Mass & Tumor Removal

It happens when you least expect it. You are cuddling on the couch with your dog or scratching your cat behind the ears, and suddenly, your fingers brush against something that shouldn’t be there. A lump. A bump. A growth.

Your mind might immediately jump to the worst-case scenario. While discovering a new mass on your pet is certainly scary, it is important to take a deep breath. Not every bump is a health crisis, and not every tumor is cancerous. However, ignoring it isn’t the answer either.

At Nimbus Pet Hospital, helping pet owners navigate this uncertainty is part of our daily routine. Whether it’s a small skin tag or a more concerning growth, understanding the process of mass and tumor removal surgery can turn panic into a plan of action. This guide breaks down exactly what these masses are, how we treat them, and why early detection is the best gift you can give your furry friend.

Understanding the “Lumps and Bumps”

Before we talk about surgery, it helps to know what we are potentially dealing with. In veterinary medicine, we use the terms “mass,” “tumor,” and “growth” somewhat interchangeably to describe any abnormal swelling or collection of cells.

These growths generally fall into two categories: benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous).

Benign Growths
These are the ones we hope for. They do not spread to other parts of the body, though they can still cause problems if they grow large enough to press on organs or restrict movement. Common examples include:

Lipomas: Soft, fatty lumps often found on older dogs. They are usually harmless but can grow quite large.
Cysts: Sacs filled with fluid or semi-solid material. They can sometimes rupture or become infected.
Warts and Skin Tags: Usually cosmetic issues caused by viruses or aging skin.

Malignant Tumors
These are cancerous growths that have the potential to spread (metastasize) to other areas, such as the lymph nodes or lungs. Common types include mast cell tumors, melanomas, and carcinomas. With these, time is of the essence. The sooner they are removed, the better the prognosis for your pet.

Determining the Treatment: Why Diagnostics Matter

You might be wondering, “Why don’t we just cut it off immediately?”

While removal is often the end goal, we need a roadmap before we start driving. Removing a benign fatty lump requires a different surgical approach than removing an aggressive mast cell tumor.

When you bring your pet to Nimbus Pet Hospital, we often start with a Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA). This is a quick, minimally invasive test where we use a small needle to collect cells from the mass. We examine these cells under a microscope to get a preliminary idea of what we are dealing with.

Sometimes, an FNA doesn’t give us the full picture. in those cases, we may recommend a biopsy or surgical removal with histopathology.

What we discover through surgery and testing

Sending the removed tissue to a laboratory for histopathology is the gold standard of diagnosis. It tells us:

The specific type of tumor: Is it a benign lipoma or a soft tissue sarcoma?
The grade: How aggressive are the cells dividing?
** The margins:** This is crucial. It tells us if we removed the entire tumor or if microscopic cancer cells were left behind. Clean margins usually mean the surgery was a complete success.

Comprehensive Mass and Tumor Removal Surgery

If our veterinarians determine that the mass needs to go, we will schedule a surgery day. We understand that “surgery” is a scary word for any pet parent, but knowing the steps can help ease your anxiety.

Pre-Surgical Screening
Safety is paramount. Before anesthesia, we typically run blood work to ensure your pet’s liver and kidneys can handle the medication. This is especially important for our senior patients, who are often the ones developing these lumps.

The Procedure
Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia. Our team creates a sterile field around the mass and removes the growth. If we suspect cancer, we practice “wide margins,” meaning we remove a buffer of healthy tissue around the tumor to ensure we catch any stray bad cells.

Recovery and Healing
Once your pet wakes up, they will likely go home with an Elizabethan collar (the “cone of shame”) to prevent them from licking the incision. Licking is the number one cause of post-surgical infection, so keeping the cone on is vital. Most incisions heal within 10 to 14 days, after which your pet can return to their normal, zoomie-filled life.

Why Choose Nimbus Pet Hospital for Surgery?

When you are trusting someone with your pet’s life, you want to know they are in capable hands. For pet owners in Tigard and Beaverton, Nimbus Pet Hospital offers a blend of advanced medical technology and genuine, neighborly compassion.

Anesthesia Safety Protocols
We treat your pet the same way we would treat our own. During surgery, a dedicated veterinary technician monitors your pet’s vital signs; heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure, every step of the way. We don’t take shortcuts when it comes to safety.

Clear Communication
We believe in explaining the “why” behind every test and procedure. We won’t overwhelm you with jargon. Instead, we help you understand your options, the estimated costs, and the expected outcomes so you can make informed decisions for your family.

Pain Management
We are committed to keeping your pet comfortable. We use a multi-modal approach to pain relief, using medications before, during, and after surgery to ensure your pet wakes up with minimal discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just wait and watch the lump?
Sometimes, yes. If we confirm a lump is a benign lipoma and it isn’t bothering your pet, we might just monitor it. However, “wait and see” is a dangerous game to play with undiagnosed masses. A small, aggressive tumor is much easier to remove than a large one. Always get a vet to check it first before deciding to watch it.
How much does mass removal cost?
There is no single price because every mass is different. A small skin tag removal requires less time and anesthesia than removing a large abdominal tumor. At Nimbus Pet Hospital, we provide a detailed estimate after your initial consultation so there are no surprises on surgery day.
Will the tumor grow back?
This depends entirely on the type of mass. Benign lipomas rarely grow back in the same spot, though new ones may appear elsewhere. Some malignant tumors have a higher chance of recurrence, which is why checking the margins through histopathology is so important.
My dog is old. Is anesthesia safe?
Age is not a disease, but it does require extra precautions. We tailor our anesthesia protocols specifically for senior pets and those with underlying health conditions. By running pre-anesthetic blood work and using advanced monitoring equipment, we can perform surgery safely on many older pets.

Taking the Next Step for Your Pet’s Health

Finding a lump on your pet is stressful, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. The team at Nimbus Pet Hospital is here to provide the answers you need and the care your pet deserves.

If you have noticed a new growth, or if a lump you have been watching has changed in size, shape, or color, please don’t wait. Early detection allows for smaller surgeries, easier recoveries, and better outcomes.

Contact Nimbus Pet Hospital today to schedule your consultation. Let’s get your best friend back to feeling their best.