Looking after a dog can be a stressful experience. A rewarding one, yes, but stressful too. Like when you are looking after young children, you need to be aware of the health of your cockapoo. That means keeping a close eye on if your dog develops any health issues. One visible health problem that could signify something worrying is lumps on your cockapoo’s skin. Are they always a worry? No, not always, but because there are so many things they could be, you should be keenly aware of any lumps your dog develops.
In the following post, we will help you understand the kinds of lumps your dog may have and when they are a severe health risk or merely a cosmetic issue.
What Kind of Lumps Can Your Cockapoo Develop?
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Lipomas
One type of lumps most dogs develop, including cocker spaniels and potentially cockapoos, is fatty lumps, also known as lipomas. It is thought that around 2% of the doggy population yearly is diagnosed with lipomas. Now the fact that lipomas are tumours may sound incredibly scary to you. Don’t panic, though, as lipomas typically begin and consist of a lumpy collection of fat cells.
Although it is best to have your dog seen by a vet to diagnose them as lipomas properly, they will feel like soft and slightly movable lumps that sit just beneath your cockapoo’s skin. In terms of size, they can be as big as a football or incredibly small. In most cases, however, they grow very slowly and never reach enormous sizes.
Cockapoos can get one or even more lipomas during their lifetime. Your vet will likely want to monitor it to ensure it doesn’t develop into a serious problem. The only time lipomas may become a problem for your dog is if they grow to larger sizes or in uncomfortable places for your cockapoo. In these situations, your vet may recommend your cockapoo have surgery to remove the lipomas.
How are Lipomas Diagnosed?
Although lipomas feel like soft lumps that are slightly movable and sit just under the skin’s surface, you need to take your dog to the vet to check them out properly. Vets often use a fine needle aspirate to diagnose it accurately. It’s also important to note that if your cockapoo has more than one, all will need to undergo individual tests to diagnose that they are all lipomas, as having one does not mean your dog has lots. Many lumps look the same as lipomas, which are different.
Is My Cockapoo At Risk From Lipomas?
We noted that around 2% of the canine population is thought to have lipomas. However, although they are extremely common, some factors can make your dog more likely to develop lipomas.
Factors include:
- Breed – Labradors, springer and cocker spaniels, German pointers, Doberman pinschers, Weimaraners and cockapoos all have an increased chance of developing lipomas.
- Age – the older your cockapoo is, the higher the chance he or she has of developing lipomas.
- Weight – if your dog is overweight compared to the expected weight for their breed and sex, there is twice as much of a chance that they will end up with lipomas.
What is the Treatment for Lipomas?
While most lipomas are monitored, mainly if they are slow growing and do not cause any issues for your dog, a surgical procedure can remove them. This is usually where fast-growing lipomas are in problematic areas that make moving around difficult for your cockapoo or other body parts, like the throat.
Is It Cancer?
There is always the chance, if your cockapoo develops bumps and lumps, of course, that it is cancer. The best way to get this diagnosed is by arranging a vet appointment as soon as you spot the growth. They will take a sample of the lump and look at it under their microscope to determine if it is a cancerous growth.
Other common signs to look out for that may lead you to think your cockapoo has cancer along with growths are:
- Rapid and unexpected weight loss
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
If you notice any of these symptoms in addition to the lumps, you should take your cockapoo to the very soon as possible.
Conclusion
As with any other type of illness or health issue, the appearance of lumps and bumps on your cockapoo’s skin can be more than a little distressing. However, as we have seen, there is a chance that it may just be the incredibly common lipomas, also referred to as fatty masses. However, they could also be cancerous, so it’s essential to take them seriously enough to have them checked out. Your vet can also suggest treatment plans, whether cancerous or lipomas.
Mike is the proud owner of a 7-year-old Cockapoo named Luna. He loves to share stories, tips and information about owning a Cockapoo. With over7 years of experience as an owner, Mike is passionate about helping others own and care for their dog.
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