Just wondering what others feel and how they deal with it,when those little marbles start to show up under your dogs skin? I hate so much for my dogs to under go any kind of surgery. My first dog was about six when the first tumor appeared, but I decided to do nothing about it but I did bring it up to our vet, and I think he said at the time it was up to me if I wanted to have it removed, and that it was not a life threatning condition. So I never did and as time went on he got more of these tumors, maybe as much as six. But he went on to live till old age got him. All these tumors were not large, marble size. Now I have my male schnuzer at age six one has appeared. Any experience with this and how did you deal with it? Thanks!!

We had a Beagle that had fatty tumors. One of them began to grow rapidly when he was 13 yrs old. We had to remove this one as it was affecting his walking, it was located on his side.

As long as they check out as fatty tumors and nothing else, you just have to watch them carefully. I hated putting him through major surgery at that age. He lived to 16 1/2

Thanks for your reply! I did not know they called them fatty tumors. Your reply was helpful and I will just ride it out for now! For your dog to live 16years you definitely know how to take great care of your dogs!!

[Yogi]

fatty tumors are common and are generally a direct result of a dog losing or gaining weight. Fat tissues do not break down totally leaving a small mass in an area that then appears as a tumor. If the mass can be moved around meaning you can take your finger (s) and actually move it then in most cases it is a fatty tumor where in most vets will generally suggest leaving it alone unless as the prior post notes, it interferes with the dogs ability to do what it would normally.
If the mass is locked or appears to be locked into place than those are the ones you should have the vet look at. These can be cancerous and need to be verified by a vet.

[lil mutt]

i hope my dogs will not have tumors... it will surely be one scary experience for me if ever that happens.

Yogi, He was getting a little on the heavy side so I got him to lose about 5lbs. That was also very interesting to know, and yes I can get it to move and get my fingers around it! THANKS!!

[Yogi]

no problem..after 47 years breeding and raising dogs there is not much that I have not seen. Even my vets when I take one in where I think there is a problem they ask me what I think. Now that is scary. I diagnosed one of my dogs being diabetic and my vet remarked, "well what did you need me for". Blood work came back the next day confirming what I knew. We laughed about once I told him that I just needed his lab since I did not have one set up at home.

[wishbone]

Wishing too for good health and away from tumor for my dog. He's just 7 months old and I will start reading more about this complications including the foods and threats that may cause. Good thing my mom is so kind making Wishbone a home prepared food.