Mass Removal After Care
Your pet has a mass you want removed, but what would the aftercare involve? It depends on the mass in question and how the veterinarian decides to remove it.
Masses come in many different sizes and affect many different pets, from dogs and cats to horses and hedgehogs! It’s difficult to determine exactly what a lump is just by looking at it, and the veterinarian may want to do a fine needle aspirate to help determine what a lump is. This involves passing a small hollow needle into the mass, which collects cells that are then put on a slide. The slide is stained with special fixatives and dyes and then examined by the veterinarian under a microscope.
Masses can be removed for a variety of reasons. A mass may be cancerous or negatively affect a pet’s movement. Sometimes a mass is just not aesthetically pleasing. Sometimes we need to remove a mass to send it off to a specialist to learn more about it. Some masses are small enough they may be popped (such a cyst, but this doesn’t guarantee that it will never come back) or snipped off (small skin tags). Other times a doctor may require a pet to be under anesthesia and have a mass surgically removed or have a local anesthetic in order to be removed with our surgical laser. Most masses that are removed can be sent off for histology (looked at by a specialist in a lab under the microscope). Aftercare depends on how the mass was removed.
Masses come in many different sizes and affect many different pets, from dogs and cats to horses and hedgehogs! It’s difficult to determine exactly what a lump is just by looking at it, and the veterinarian may want to do a fine needle aspirate to help determine what a lump is. This involves passing a small hollow needle into the mass, which collects cells that are then put on a slide. The slide is stained with special fixatives and dyes and then examined by the veterinarian under a microscope.
Masses can be removed for a variety of reasons. A mass may be cancerous or negatively affect a pet’s movement. Sometimes a mass is just not aesthetically pleasing. Sometimes we need to remove a mass to send it off to a specialist to learn more about it. Some masses are small enough they may be popped (such a cyst, but this doesn’t guarantee that it will never come back) or snipped off (small skin tags). Other times a doctor may require a pet to be under anesthesia and have a mass surgically removed or have a local anesthetic in order to be removed with our surgical laser. Most masses that are removed can be sent off for histology (looked at by a specialist in a lab under the microscope). Aftercare depends on how the mass was removed.
Masses Removed by Surgical Excision
Masses removed by surgical excision will require the skin to be closed with suture. Sometimes the suture will be absorbable and under the skin. A lot of times the suture will need to be removed in 2 weeks. Regardless, the incision will need to be kept dry and clean for that 2 weeks. This means no baths, no swimming, and no licking or chewing.
Masses Removed by Surgical Laser
Mass removed via our surgical laser are often not closed and thus leave a small circular wound. These typically heal on their own just fine, but should be kept clean and dry. Sometimes the wound from the surgical laser is large enough it’s stapled closed. These need removed in 2 weeks and require no baths, swimming, licking, or chewing until removed.
Masses Removed Without Surgery
Sometimes masses are small enough that they can be quickly snipped by with owner consent and do not require general anesthesia. These are usually small enough they do not require closure, but if closure is required staples will be used. If the area is not closed, it will need to be kept clean and dry. Any staples placed will require removal in 2 weeks and the pet cannot have any baths or go swimming for those 2 weeks and must not lick or chew the area.
If any surgical site looks red, infected, has discharge, or seems otherwise questionable please bring your pet in for evaluation.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call 435-259-8710
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to call 435-259-8710
