Your pet can sometimes develop bumps or lumps that turn into benign or malignant masses. You might notice these masses when you pet your dog or cat. An exam and testing can help determine the type of mass your pet has and if pet surgery is necessary. Glastonbury Animal Hospital in Glastonbury and Marlborough, CT, can remove your pet’s masses and keep your pet healthy and happy. Our veterinarian is here to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life. Here are some things to know about pet masses.
Benign Vs. Malignant Masses
Masses in pets can be either potentially cancerous or non-cancerous. Most of these masses are benign or non-cancerous. Our veterinarian might recommend keeping an eye on these masses to see if they get bigger or cause any issues for your pet. Malignant masses are not as common, but they require steps to help prevent them from becoming cancerous. Our vet may recommend having your pet’s malignant mass removed if it is cancerous.
When Mass Removals Are Needed
Your pet might not need surgery if it has a benign mass. Our veterinarian can tell you which signs to watch for in case mass removal is necessary. Our veterinarian will usually recommend surgery if your pet has a malignant mass. Surgery helps stop potentially cancerous tumors from spreading. Your pet might need mass removal if its masses cause considerable discomfort or if the masses are cancerous, such as lymphoma, osteosarcoma, or melanoma.
What to Expect During Mass Removal Procedures
Knowing what will happen during mass removal surgery can help ease your mind. We use general anesthesia so your pet will not feel anything during the procedure. We ensure the anesthesia is safe for your dog or cat before administering it. We then watch your pet’s vital signs while it sleeps to ensure its safety. Our veterinarian will make an incision to remove the mass. We will then send a tissue sample to a lab if further testing is necessary.
What to Expect After Mass Removal
Your pet will need time to heal after this procedure. Our veterinary team will give you post-operative care instructions, such as keeping incisions clean and watching for redness or other signs of infection. We might have you bring your pet in for a follow-up visit to see if it is healing properly or to check on its condition if it had cancerous tumors removed.
Visit Our Animal Hospital in Marlborough or Glastonbury, CT, for Mass Removal
Noticing a mass on your pet can be a significant concern for your pet’s health and well-being, so contact Glastonbury Animal Hospital in Glastonbury and Marlborough, CT, to get your pet’s mass checked out. Our veterinarian can safely remove benign or malignant masses to keep your pet happy and healthy. Call us at our Glastonbury office at (860) 633-8394 or our Marlborough office at (860) 295-3939 if you need professional mass removal.