Lumps and Bumps
by Jennifer Yearly, DVM, Washington
Young Lottie.
Lottie, age 18, with many of the lumps and bumps of a dog’s old age.
Dogs can get all kinds of harmless lumps. Some are cysts, some are benign tumors. However, any time you notice a lump, it’s always a good idea to have a vet check it out for you. By sticking a needle into it and aspirating off some cells and examining them under the microscope, you can often get a very good idea of what you’re dealing with. If that doesn’t do the trick, the lump or a piece of it can be surgically removed and examined by a pathologist. That way you can tell for sure.
Lumps on my dogs always make me very nervous, but they’ve had lots of lumps and not one of them has been anything worrisome once they were thoroughly checked out.
So, in summary, lumps and bumps may well be nothing of consequence, but it’s always a good idea to find out exactly what you’re dealing with so that you have a sense about whether anything further needs to be done to deal with it.
Article copyright © 2001 by Jennifer Yearley, DVM
All rights reserved.
Basenji Companions 
We have our fifth Basenji, Simon, age 11. He has had a few cysts, bumps.etc. for a few years. In last year there is increase number, round, movable. He is quite healthy, a normal difficult, lovable Basenji. Love him, but do worry at times about these growths. Bill