Lump in dog's chest

zaksmum

Three years ago I asked my vet to have a look at a lump in my dog's chest. She initially said there was no lump as she couldn't feel it.

When I pointed out the exact area she had a feel of it and said it was nothing, just keep an eye on it.

Today I noticed another bigger lump in my dog's chest, near to the original one which hasn't changed. I have a vet appointment for Monday.

Since the vet first checked the other lump and said it was harmless, I changed insurance providers two years ago.

Obviously the current insurers won't cover a pre existing condition, so I'm wondering if this lump might be deemed pre existing? It's in the same area of his chest but the original lump can still be felt.

My dog is in no discomfort at all and still loves his walks at the age of 9.

Artytarty

Well firstly, hopefully this second lump is also harmless. Most likely t to. Is just a fatty lump older dogs are prone to. Particularly lab type breeds, but I don't what yours is.
Secondly I feel the the first was just a fatty harmless lump then it's not a condition , Or If it is the same pre existing condition , the advice may be the same- do nothing.
Hard as it is, try not to worry.

zaksmum

Artytarty wrote: »

Well firstly, hopefully this second lump is also harmless. Most likely t to. Is just a fatty lump older dogs are prone to. Particularly lab type breeds, but I don't what yours is.
Secondly I feel the the first was just a fatty harmless lump then it's not a condition , Or If it is the same pre existing condition , the advice may be the same- do nothing.
Hard as it is, try not to worry.

My dog is a labrador/whippet first cross so you might be right arty tarty. He is his usual self so while I'm not unduly worried, I do want to make sure any more serious condition isn't overlooked.

Mupette

My Jack Russell cross Whippet has various lumps all over his body, he has a massive one on his chest which is very very obvious.

I had it checked when it first started to show, they took a biopsy there and then and said, If I don't get back to you then it's nothing just a fatty lump. She never got back to me.

He has a few now and had various vet trips, not one brought the subject up.

Perry the 9 3/4 pup seems fine.

Dollardog

When I was in my teens - many years ago, we had an alsation crossed with a terrier, she had a fatty lump in the middle of her chest for years, it got to be the size of a golf ball but never seemed to worry her. Sometimes, if she had been laying on it, it used to flatten out a bit but then went back to ball shaped. They usually say if they move around, ie, don't seem to be attached to anything, its just a fatty lump. Hope that helps.

zaksmum

The vet did say last time that it was probably a fatty lump, which are more common as a dog gets older.

I'm hoping that's all this one is, too

RedFraggle

Ask for a needle biopsy. If it's just fat cells then you'll know.

krlyr

Often one lump will rule out any other lumps in future (if you change policies), regardless of locality to the first lump. The only way to know for sure is to ask your insurers though. Some do allow pre-existing conditions to be covered in future if they have been symptom/treatment-free for 2 years.

zaksmum

Thanks RedFraggle, I'll do that.

Krlyr, when I see the vet tomorrow I'll ask what was put in my dog's notes when I first asked about the lump (if anything). Then if need be I'll speak to the insurers