Description
Lipomas are benign tumors developing from adipose tissue (fat).
Urgency
Danger
Course
This skin disease usually manifests as a soft (or sometimes hard) lump, mainly occuring in the breast, stomach or hip area as well as the upper limbs. Lipomas are underneath the skin and can grow to the size of an eggplant. They usually affect older dogs.
Cause
Adipose tumors are, to a large extent, a symptom of old age. Most dogs being older than ten years develop one or also several adipose tumors.
Therapy
Adipose tumors are nearly always benign. In case other types of tumors can be excluded and the adipose tumor does not provoke any mechanical dysfunctions or irritations, it is left as it is. Otherwise, adipose tumors need to be removed by operation.
Emergency measures
You best observe the affected area. If an adipose tumor gains considerable in size, you should consult a veterinarian. An adipose tumor is not painful and should therefore not be removed for aesthetic reasons.