Sometimes, what looks like a “fatty lump” isn’t always just a fatty lump.
Our patient, a 10-year-old Terrier mix, came to us because of a growing lump on her chest. Her owner was previously told by another hospital that the mass was likely just a fatty lump. However, the lump continued to grow, and she would whimper in pain whenever she jumped.
Her owner also noticed another lump near her back end.
After examination, we discovered that the chest mass was actually a mammary tumor, not a fatty lump. Mammary tumors are much more common in female dogs that have not been spayed, especially as they get older.
The lump near her rear turned out to be a perineal hernia, a condition in which the muscles around the pelvic and rectal area weaken over time, allowing tissue or organs to bulge into that space. This is another condition that is more commonly seen in intact (not spayed) middle-aged and senior dogs.
To give her the best chance at recovery, we performed:
🐾 Mastectomy (removal of the mammary tumor)
🐾 Spay surgery
🐾 Perineal hernia repair
It was a major surgery, but she was incredibly brave and recovered beautifully.
This case is a great reminder that not every lump is harmless. If you notice a new mass, changes in size, or signs of discomfort, it’s always worth having it examined sooner rather than later. Early diagnosis can make a big difference.