Canine tumors can come in all shapes and sizes, some growing rapidly while others grow slowly, both painful and painless, some cancerous and others benign. Although we hope a newfound tumor is benign, it is important to seek veterinary treatment for any tumor just to be on the safe side.
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Characteristics
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Benign canine tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, simply growing in one place. These tumors are made of the same types of cells as the organ they grow from and can be painless.
Causes
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Benign tumors are not cancerous, and may form due to environmental factors, age of afflicted animal or genetic predisposition.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian biopsies (takes a small sample of the tumor for analysis) the tumor to determine whether it is cancerous.
Treatment
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Benign tumors are easily removed from the dog because of the tissue that surround the growth, but may not need removal if they are painless and do not obstruct the dog's movement.
Warning
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Benign tumors can be deadly as they can occasionally become cancerous, and may also grow large enough to affect the dog's organs. For this reason, you must keep an eye on the tumor and see your veterinarian about any changes.
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