Short answer: a soft lump that suddenly appears is most often a benign lipoma, but if it grows quickly or feels hard and fixed in place, it could be a malignant tumor — check its traits with a self-exam first, then get it looked at by a vet to be safe.
What are the traits of a lipoma?
A lipoma feels soft and springy when pressed, moves around easily under the skin, and is usually painless. It tends to grow slowly and is commonly found in middle-aged to senior dogs.
What traits suggest a malignant tumor?
In contrast, a lump that feels hard and doesn't compress, is fixed to the skin or muscle and barely moves, grows noticeably larger within a short period, or causes pain when touched should raise suspicion of a malignant tumor.
What are the 3 self-check methods?
① Gently press with your fingers to gauge how soft or firm it is ② Nudge the lump side to side to check whether it moves freely under the skin ③ Compare its size at weekly intervals, using finger-widths as a rough measure, to track how fast it's growing. Keeping notes on these three helps at your vet visit too.
What if more than one lump appears?
Multiple soft lumps appearing in different spots at once is still common with lipomas, but it's best to record the number, location, and any size changes and have them checked by a vet.
How does a vet confirm the diagnosis?
A fine needle aspiration (FNA), which collects cells with a thin needle, can relatively simply determine whether a lump is benign or malignant. Since a self-exam alone can't tell the two apart with full certainty, it's best to visit a vet for an accurate diagnosis once you find a lump.
