Tumor Removal for Dogs & Cats: What You Need to Know
Mass removals are a type of veterinary surgery commonly conducted at Sploot.
A “mass” refers to a lump under a pet’s skin. For both dogs and cats, masses can be benign or malignant. Our experienced vets will be able to detect and classify any masses that your pet may have.
At Sploot, we have experienced vets, a dedicated staff, and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that all surgeries are carried out successfully and safely.
Why Pets Get Masses
There are numerous types of masses a pet can get. Lumps can be caused by blockages in the hair follicle, bacterial infections, non-cancerous growths, or cancerous growths.
Although dogs and cats can develop masses at any age, some types of masses (i.e. non-cancerous fatty lumps or lipomas) are more common in older pets. Malignant lumps also have an increased prevalence in older pets.
Factors like diet, lifestyle, and genetics also play a role in whether or not a pet develops malignant or cancerous masses.
Identifying Benign vs. Malignant Masses
Typically, pet parents may feel unusual masses on their pet’s skin or deeper in the subcutaneous layer.
Fatty lumps or lipomas (which are non-cancerous) are usually:
Sebaceous cysts (which are non-cancerous) are usually:
Abscesses (which are not cancerous by themselves but can be a sign of cancer) are usually:
Cancerous or malignant masses are usually:
In some cases, benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) masses can look and feel the same; the only way to tell the difference is by examining masses from a cellular level. It is always recommended to consult a veterinarian.
Why Mass Removal is Done
Address Discomfort or Malignancy
Veterinarians generally remove masses because of discomfort and/or malignancy. Veterinarians will be able to detect malignancy based on a cytological (cellular) examination of a sample collected through fine needle aspiration, which is done before recommending surgery.
Get a Conclusive Diagnosis
After a dog or cat undergoes mass removal surgery, the masses will undergo further histopathological (tissue) examination. This is the only way to conclusively diagnose a pet’s mass and determine the next steps in terms of needed care.
Ready to schedule your pet's Mass Removal surgery?
Preparing for Mass Removal Surgery: What to Expect
Before the Operation
During the Operation
After the Operation
Got Questions?
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Reach out to our Pet Parent Concierge Team with questions, whether it’s surgery, symptoms, scheduling, or something else!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Mass removal surgery refers to the surgical procedures that remove abnormal growths (malignant or benign) under a dog or cat’s skin.
Mass removal surgery is necessary when a growth or mass is suspected to be malignant (cancerous) and/or causes discomfort and pain.
After removal, masses that are suspected to be malignant (based on prior cytological examinations) will undergo histopathological examination so that the veterinarian can reach a conclusive diagnosis.
No, not all masses in pets are cancerous. Some masses can be benign (non-cancerous). However, if benign masses cause discomfort or pain, veterinarians may recommend having them surgically removed.
This depends mainly on the stage of cancer that the pet has. In some cases, complete removal of the cancerous mass can lead to recovery, while in others, additional treatments (e.g. chemotherapy and radiation therapy) may be needed.
Yes, it is possible to remove multiple masses during a single surgery.
Mass removals can take a few minutes to over an hour depending on the extent and the depth of the masses.
Yes. A pre-op appointment is a vital first step to ensure that masses are removed successfully and safely. During this appointment, the veterinarian will assess your pet’s health, locate the masses, and suggest the next steps. If surgery is recommended, the veterinarian will also assess if your pet is safe to undergo surgery. During the pre-surgical consultation, the veterinarian will also orient you regarding the procedure and the needed post–operative care for your pet.
Mass removals can take a few minutes to over an hour depending on the extent and the depth of the masses.
Like any type of veterinary surgery, there are risks involved when doing mass removal surgery. Common risks include anesthesia complications and wound infection post-surgery. However, our experienced veterinarians take measures to reduce these risks and empower pet parents to provide great post-operative care once their dog or cat is ready to go home.
There are rare instances that complications may arise after mass removal surgery because all types of surgery have potential complications. In case you observe any unusual changes in your pet’s behavior or on the site of the surgery (e.g. swelling, discharge), our team is always here to answer your questions and recommend next steps.
Yes — as long as the overall health of the elderly pet is deemed safe for surgery. Our veterinarians determine this with a thorough physical examination and bloodwork before recommending any type of surgery.
Yes, if the mass is suspected to be malignant, it will be tested for cancer using histopathological evaluation. This is the only conclusive way to diagnose masses in dogs and cats.
Yes, stitches or sutures are needed to close incisions made during mass removal surgery.
The recovery time of pets after undergoing mass removal surgery depends on the extent of the procedure, the pet’s overall health, and post-operative care. Generally, it may take weeks for pets to recover fully.
In most cases, pets will be able to go home on the same day of their mass removal procedure. However, each case is different, and our veterinarian will set your expectations regarding your pet’s unique case.
When it’s time for your pet to go home, our veterinarians will give instructions regarding your pet’s required medications, wound care, and, possibly, recommended changes to their diet.
In general, all pets that have undergone surgery need to have a calm place to rest and must have limited physical activity while they recover. They may also need to wear protective clothes (e.g. cone collar, onesie) to prevent them from licking or scratching sutures.
Last but not least, we advise pet parents to monitor their pets after surgery and get in touch with our team if they notice any strange symptoms.
It is possible that pets will develop new masses after the surgery, especially if the extracted masses were diagnosed to be malignant. Benign masses (e.g. lipomas in older dogs) have a lower chance of recurrence.
This depends on the kind of masses that your pet had removed. Our veterinarians will advise you on lifestyle changes for your pet and/or any needed ongoing treatment that will help prevent the recurrence of masses.
The cost of mass removal surgery depends on the extent of the procedure. With Sploot, you can expect transparent pricing from the get-go. Reach out to our team today to learn more!
If mass removals are included in your pet’s insurance coverage, you may be able to claim a reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Please take note that not all insurance plans have the same scope of coverage. To make sure that mass removals are included in your pet’s insurance, please contact your provider.
Surgical consultations at Sploot can be scheduled days in advance. We also accept same-day appointments and walk-ins!
To ensure the safety of our clients and our clinics, we only accept cashless payments. We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as CareCredit and ScratchPay.
