How to Remove Fatty Tumors from Dogs

Fatty tumors, also known as lipomas, commonly occur in older dogs. While typically benign and slow-growing, some may necessitate surgical removal to prevent health complications. Here's what you need to know about getting rid of fatty tumors in your canine companion.

Determining the Need for Tumor Removal: If your dog has a fatty tumor, your vet may recommend removal under certain circumstances. Factors such as rapid growth, changes in appearance or texture, and impact on bodily functions or discomfort may warrant surgical intervention. Here are some indications that removal might be necessary:

Discuss Surgical Tumor Removal with Your Vet: Generally, removing a fatty tumor through surgery is a straightforward process. Your vet will likely encounter no issues during the procedure. Beforehand, a blood sample will be taken from your dog to ensure their suitability for surgery. Here are some queries you can raise with your vet regarding the procedure:

Prepare Your Dog for Surgery: If surgery is agreed upon, preparing your dog is crucial. Refrain from feeding your dog for 12 hours prior to surgery and restrict water intake for eight hours. This fasting is essential to prevent vomiting during the procedure. Other considerations include informing your vet about your dog's medications and any existing medical conditions.

Undergo Surgical Removal of the Fatty Tumor: Fatty tumors are typically located between the skin and underlying muscle, facilitating straightforward surgical extraction. For larger tumors, your vet may insert a surgical drain to prevent fluid buildup post-operation. Expect sutures or staples to close the incision, possibly with a pressure wrap to manage fluid accumulation.

Fit an Elizabethan Collar on Your Dog: This step is crucial to prevent your dog from licking or chewing the surgical incision, which can impede healing and lead to infection. The Elizabethan collar, or e-collar, should be worn until the follow-up vet visit. Considerations include the type of e-collar and managing eating difficulties and cleanliness.

Monitor the Incision Site: After surgery, it's normal for the incision to appear slightly red. Regularly check that it's clean and the edges are properly aligned. Contact your vet if you notice excessive swelling or continuous bleeding.

Maintain Drain Hygiene: If a surgical drain was inserted, ensure it remains unclogged by cleaning it as instructed by your vet. Use warm, salty water and a damp cloth to gently clean the drain twice daily. Attend to any skin irritation around the drain.

Administer Pain Relief: Your dog may experience discomfort post-surgery. Follow your vet's prescription for pain medication, whether pills or liquid. For pills, consider hiding them in treats, and for liquid medication, gently administer it to your dog as directed.

Adhere to Vet's Guidance: Strictly follow your vet's post-surgery care instructions to ensure your dog's full recovery. Seek clarification from your vet if you're uncertain about any aspect of the care regimen, such as wound cleaning or medication administration.

Schedule Follow-Up: Arrange a post-surgery check-up with your vet to assess the incision, remove sutures and drains if necessary, and monitor healing progress. Don't hesitate to seek immediate veterinary attention if you notice any issues before the scheduled appointment.

• For most cases of fatty tumors, surgical removal offers a permanent solution.
• If you spot one fatty tumor on your dog, be vigilant and thoroughly inspect for any others.
• Certain dog breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers and Labrador Retrievers, along with overweight females, are predisposed to developing fatty tumors.

• Occasionally, fatty tumors may be malignant, invading surrounding tissues. Liposarcomas, as they're termed, pose significant challenges for complete removal and often recur post-surgery.
• Despite being mostly benign, fatty tumors should not be disregarded. If left untreated, they can grow substantially and, depending on their location, impair a dog's mobility and vital functions.