Just curious how many of you have had labs that had fatty tumors? What was your experience? Our first two labs have had them. Gingers were fairly large, but the vet recommended not doing anything, unless they actually caused problems for her which they did not seem to. Tilly also has one approaching a 1/2 golf ball in size on her shoulder, as well as some very small (can't see them, only feel them) ones on her chest. Again the vet recommends not doing anything about them at this point. Any thoughts or research on possible causes or prevention? While they don't seem to be a significant problem, they are somewhat unsightly, and I would like Cooper to avoid them.
I had one dog who had multiple fatty tumors. He started them when was 8 and by the time he died he was more tumor than dog. He had them everywhere. We got the new ones checked and removed any which stopped him walking etc. I used to run my hand over his body and I knew them all . Some were tiny some were huge. He had lupus and we think this contributed his lumps. He lived until he was over 14. I found it was just better to monitor them. If they are not nasties i just leave them. My 13 year old is his half sister and she has a few but only about 3, which I have had checked and just monitor. My old boy looked terrible but he was fine.
Our first dog had quite a few. He had a large cluster over his left side that kind of interfered with his harness, so we had that removed. He moved much more freely and seemed more comfortable and happier after that. Our vet said that often happens with the larger clusters of lumps. But if they are not interfering with movement or are small then I wouldn't worry about them. Our vet said that an ultra low fat diet can sometimes shrink them but then their coat goes to hell along with it (we never attempted this option).
We haven't but a heck of a lot of labs on our FB forums do. I think because of the worry of mast cell tumours so many ARE removed.
BJ had a couple but they were not in difficult places so nothing was done, once it was confirmed that they weren't anything sinister. They never seemed to cause him a problem. Springer Max developed one in a very awkward area on his undercarriage, so that was removed - for his comfort.
I have few myself...as long as they don't interfere with my harness...(bra..) I am leaving them alone. Casper doesn't have any, at nearly 8.
