Elderly husky's bleeding ribcage mass reappeared. Is it cancer?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Piper! The only way we can 100% know for sure a mass isn't cancerous is by either aspirating the mass with a needle or biopsying it. When a mass changes I always recommend that the animal be seen by their Vet to have it checked. The fact the mass opened up dictates the need to have it looked at and a minimum of antibiotics started. Hopefully it is just a ruptured follicular cyst that is infected. But I think you should have the mass removed and biopsied. I am afraid it will not heal well and continually leak bloody fluid. I hope this helps and I wish Piper the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The fact that these biopsies have come back inconclusive does not mean that this is not cancer. Unfortunately, this is very likely an aggressive form of cancer. After seeing these images, my main concern is that this is possibly a tumor arising from one of the ribs or sternebrae such as osteosarcoma for instance. In one of the images I see that there is likely pulmonary nodules which are most likely due to metastasis or spread of this cancer. It is hard for me to advice further without being able to look at more images or know more about the case. I would encourage you to check in again with them as another biopsy could be performed. Also, if there is truly already signs of metastasis, the treatment options and prognosis are also limited. I would mention to them the possibility of being referred to a veterinary oncologist who can look at the case with more details and advice further. I really hope they can help you and your boy!

Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Looking at the picture you attached, it could be a couple of things. It could be a benign mass, like a skin tag, that has become irritated. There is unfortunately also a type of skin cancer called hemangiosarcoma that can look like this though. I would recommend taking her into your vet. They will likely ask you how long it has been there, about any changes in size/shape, and recommend a small skin biopsy. I hope this answers your question.

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I agree this sounds concerning and I recommend to have Kobe examined by the veterinarian. With the history of a recurrent mass/injury, I'm concerned there is an underlying reason. There are a few reasons and one can be quite serious: a skin cancer called a Mast Cell Tumor. Testing for this skin cancer is generally easy thankfully. Kobe shouldn't need sedation or stitches as long as he will stay still for a quick needle poke. In the mean time, you'll want to protect the lesion from infection. 1. Stop any licking (since this can make it worse) - Kobe should wear an elizabethan collar at all times. - Remember that the collar must come out past his nose in order to be effective. 2. Next, wash the area once a day with either plain hand soap (like Dial) or a medicated pet shampoo. Rinse the area well and gently towel dry. -This will help to control the number of topical pathogens as well as remove oil and dead skin cells. 3. Lastly, apply a topical antibiotic twice a day to the red areas. Make sure the skin is dry before application. -Just a dab will do and rub it in well. Neosporin is fine to use. 4. Keep the paw clean and dry *Always wear gloves to handle this lesion and wash your hands afterwards. I hope things get figured out quickly! Sincerely, Dr. Elizabeth

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Coco and for providing a picture of her lump, that is very helpful. I'm not sure when you last discussed having it removed with her vet, but given that it has grown more and is bleeding, I think you should discuss removing it again. Due to her age, there is a chance this lump could be cancer, but it needs to biopsied first before any determination could be made as to whether or not it's cancer. I'd schedule an appointment with her vet. I hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Thanks for the pictures! Many skin masses can look the same. Red dermal masses, like this one, can be benign or malignant. Some possibilities are an inflamed sebaceous adenoma, hemangioma, histiocytoma or it could be a Mast Cell Tumor. Since it showed up quickly I would have Oscar seen by your Vet. They can decide if aspirating it (sticking it with a needle and sending the slides to the lab) or removing the mass and sending it for biopsy is best. I hope this helps and I wish you and Oscar the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend taking Sable to the vet to look at the growth closer and find out what it is. The vet can stick a needle in it and look at the cells under a microscope to determine if it’s cancerous or not. Because the tissue/skin is fragile it likely won’t stop bleeding and may need to be surgically removed. I would leave it alone until the vet looks at it so you don’t disrupt the blood clot that forms. Good luck and kisses to Sable!