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My dog has a large lipoma near his back end and a smaller lipoma within the larger one. Since he's had a malignant tumor removed in the past, I am thinking these two should be aspirated to be safe. I am being advised that there is no need. He is very sensitive to anyone touching this area, even famly members. Interested in other feedback. Thank you.

This is a very common problem that vets confront. If it looks and feels like a lipoma, it probably is BUT I have seen plenty of mast cell tumours and some soft tissue sarcomas that feel like lipomas. I certainly see many patients whose owners have been told a lump was of no concern only to found out months later that it was malignant. So, the safest bet is always to test. Fine needle aspiration is a simple procedure and typically doesn't need sedation. It is a very poor test to find out what a lump is, but if it only reveals fat, it strongly suggests a diagnosis of lipoma. If a decision is made not to test, then the mass should be rechecked often enough so that if it is growing it is definitely tested.

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Dr Ken Wyatt BSc BVMS FANZCVS
Specialist Veterinary Oncologist
Perth Veterinary Oncology