Could my dog's movement during aspiration affect her cyst diagnosis?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The fact that it has been growing slowly is good though it can still be a malignant tumor and removal would be recommended if there is no evidence of cancer spread to other organs. It probably changed in size and shape as a reaction to the aspiration. Given that it is so close to her mammary glands this may be a mammary tumor. Further recommendations would be made after it is removed and the biopsy read out. Good luck and have a great day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These are likely sebaceous adenoma a which are benign and typically not painful. Although they have that appearance consistent with that benign growth, you never know until you sample it. They should not be painful so if that is the case, it would be indicated to have him evaluated to look for any other possible pain sources. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Without seeing the mass myself, it is difficult to say for sure what it could be. If you have not had a veterinarian take a look at this, I would recommend doing so and having some testing done to help identify what this could potentially be. The veterinarian can start by inserting a small needle into the mass and try and get a good sample of cells to look at under the microscope. The most definitive way of telling what this mass could be is to send out a tissue sample of the mass. If it is causing discomfort, I would have it removed and send it out to find out what it could be. If it is an abscess, it likely needs to be drained and then Diamond will likely need to be on a course of antibiotic therapy. Again, I would have a veterinarian take a look at this so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction!

Hi, thabks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes a cyst can get misdiagnosed off an FNA if the cells lining the cyst weren’t aspirated and it was just the fluid or cystic material. FNA isn’t always diagnostic for many types of skin bumps. The only diffinitive diagnosis is to remove it and send it for biopsy. If the aspirate indicates something other than a cyst and your Vet is concerned then I suggest removing it. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. Since these have remained present, it would be best to have them evaluated. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It depends on the Vet's experience with reading cytology. Most Vets send out their cytology samples to a specialist who is trained to read them. Mast cell tumors have a classic look and tend to be one of the easier tumors to diagnose. You could ask your Vet to send the slides out since that only takes 1-2 days to get them back but sometimes aspirates do not get you an answer. I know you have surgery set up and a biopsy planned. That is the best thing for Precious, to get the mass off and know what it is. It has a high chance of being benign. It is a good thing it hasn't grown much. I wish you the best!