If you own a dog, you know that they get sick just about as often as people do. Whether it’s something simple like a cold or allergies, or something more serious like cancer, dogs can get sick with various diseases just like any other living creature. One of the first signs that your dog is sick is usually a lump on their body. Most lumps on dogs are benign and not cause for worry, but some types of lumps can be a cause for concern. This blog post will look at some of the different kinds of lumps your dog might get and what they might mean.
Sebaceous Adenomas
Sebaceous adenomas are small, round lumps that often appear on older dogs’ heads or necks. They’re benign (not cancerous) tumors that arise from the sebaceous glands, which are tiny structures in the skin that secrete an oily substance called sebum. These lumps are not painful and don’t usually cause any problems unless they grow large enough to interfere with your dog’s vision or breathing. In most cases, sebaceous adenomas can be left alone and will not cause any harm.
There are several theories about what causes sebaceous adenomas, but the exact cause is unknown. One theory is that they result from a build-up of keratin in the sebaceous glands. Keratin is a protein in the skin, hair, and nails. It’s possible that as dogs age, their sebaceous glands become less efficient at breaking down keratin, which leads to the formation of these lumps.
Lipomas
Lipomas are the most common type of lumps on dogs. They’re benign growths that develop from fat cells in the subcutaneous layer of the skin (the layer just below the surface of the skin). They are usually soft and movable, and they range in size from a small grape to a large cantaloupe. In most cases, lipomas are not painful and don’t cause any problems unless they grow very large. Some lipomas can grow so large that they interfere with the dog’s ability to move or see, which can become dangerous.
Lipomas are most common in middle-aged and older dogs, although they can occur at any age. They’re also seen more often in certain breeds, including Labrador retrievers, Golden retrievers, Miniature schnauzers, Cocker spaniels, Shetland sheepdogs, and Basset hounds. There isn’t a definitive answer as to what causes lipomas. They tend to run in families, so there may be a genetic predisposition in some cases. However, obesity is also a contributing factor since lipomas are more common in overweight dogs.
