Silver Dollar size 'Lump' on 6 yr. old peek-a-poo!

Yesterday Maggie had here teeth cleaned and while she was "out" that lump was removed. She seems to be recovering well. Thanks all. BB

Our late, great Misty developed those fatty lumps. The vet did the needle thing. He suggested we might be over feeding.

We cut back on her chow and that ended the problem, with the lump gradually going away, and no others appearing after that. She lived on for some years and never seemed underfed. So I think the vet was right in our case.

FNA (fine needle aspirate) is a whole different ball game than a biopsy. They give us a clue as to what is causing the problem, how serious and how aggressive we need to get with treatment (surgery vs. watch). They are usually NOT read by a pathologist but by the vet in the hospital.

Being as they didn't find anything in need of aggressive treatment and it is at the site of a previous vaccination, this is probably a vaccination reaction. This is the most common type of vaccination reaction and in dogs and does not really require a change in vaccine used or protocol (other than going every 3 years) as long as it's a single event, IMO. This means that the body responded to the vaccination (it's supposed to), but if other reactions happen or this recurs, then a change is warranted. They often take weeks to months to resolve.

Different circumstances if this was a cat.

Doug, DVM

Our dog had that "lump" after an injection of one of the vaccines. It took 6 wks or so before it went away.

Even if it's Cancer they remove it with margins. My Poodle had that done at age 14 and lived 4 more years.

As long as the biopsy came back benign, I wouldn't worry about it.
Could be her body's reaction to one of the injections, ( outside induced bacteria ) her body is merely protecting against, or just a lipoma. Lipomas are harmless fatty deposits many older dogs get, in any area of their bodies.
Our 14 year old lab mix has a new lump or bump every week it seems like. Most lipomas if removed, usually come back, so it is a lot to put a dog through to have them removed, especially with possibility of returning.
Our pup made the mistake of chasing a campground cat when she was about 6 years old. Within a couple of months, she developed a bump on the side of her head by her ear. We took her into the vet, who proceeded to tell us it was probably a mast cell tumor, and she most likely didnt have much longer to live. That was 8 years ago. The bump has changed over the years, gotten bigger, and smaller, now is just stable.
I think the cat smacked her and lost a claw in her hear, and her body just formed a fibroma around it as a protective measure.
Just keep an eye on it and watch for ulcerations around or on it. If it stays smooth, I wouldn't worry. Dog's bodies, just like human bodies, have the amazing ability to heal themselves.
Best of luck!
Cheryl

Agreeing with the others that it's likely a vaccine reaction or a harmless fatty tumor (lipoma).

You might want to give your Canadian vet a call and find out what vaccine was given in that spot. I think most vets usually give different vaccines at different sites so if there is a reaction they know which one caused it. I know my vet group does that. I *think* most U.S. and Canadian vets follow the same protocol for which vaccine is given where (i.e., rabies is generally given in the right rear leg, etc.) If your Canadian vet gave them all in the same location . . I'd be looking for another vet.

I'm curious why, "Following some heated exchange of words", you took the dog to the vet??

Reactions at injection sites are common. On the other hand, it could be a harmless, fatty tumor. I'm glad you took the pup to the vet. As already stated, keep a close eye on it. If it changes, go back to the vet.