Tell me about FATTY TUMORS

[Doris]

please!!  I took Bodi to the vet today for his regular shots.  I also wanted the vet to check a lump on Bodi's side.  I am happy to say that the vet was not concerned and said it was a fatty tumor.  He said we should just watch it.  I am sad to say that I was so happy that I didn't ask any questions!!  So if you have experience with this, please share! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've had several discussions about lipomas (fatty tumors). If you type "lipoma" into the DK search box, you'll get a lot of info. Leslie's Halas had surgery to remove a couple, due to their location. JD has more than a dozen, all of which have been needle biopsied to be sure they are lipomas, and we just watch them. As long as they are not interfering with movement or organs, they're harmless. I wouldn't worry at all. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a good article about lipomas in dogs: http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/dogdiseasesl/a/lipomas.htm

[F, Calla & Luca]

Karen has said it well. Lipomas are common and nothing to worry about.

[Doris]

Thanks Karen and F!  I feel better! :)

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

My DH had one in his belly..... benign, nothing done for it.

[DJ & Chance]

Doris, fatty tumors are fairly common and usually are harmless.  Just continue to monitor it.

[Judi Kilpatrick]

Lots of experience with lipomas with our senior bichons before they passed. Did have a couple removed because of location and if they started to grow but they were not a health issue so your vet is right, leave it and watch it. Also, it was a rather minor procedure when they did have to be removed.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Wish I had a nickel for every one my Goldens had. Would put a scare into me each time, but always came up as nothing.

[Doris]

Thank you for all of the info.  I feel better now!

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Bentley has one on the neck and a small one on his chest. They are very common and thankfully, nothing to worry about. 

[Mari Bezanson]

My golden retriever started getting "fatty tumours" at about the age of 7.    It is very common in some breeds.  It is important to have each of them checked to insure that none are cancerous,  but otherwise very innocuous.  Our dog continued to live a healthy and happy life until the ripe age of 15.  It was only because of arthritis in his spine that we finally made the horrible decision to put him down.