Success Story: Hades

This is Hades, a 7-year-old pit bull mix. Roughly six months ago, Hades mom noticed an unusual lump on his belly, but it didn’t seem to be bothering him, so she didn’t worry too much about it. However, when she noticed that a few other lumps began to develop, she was scared that her cherished family pet had cancer.

Worried that a cancer diagnosis would be too much to handle for a family who is on a limited income and were facing some unexpected bills soon, Hades family reached out to Fur Kids Foundation. We told them we would be happy to help.

Fortunately, the vet determined the lumps were benign lipoma, or what’s more commonly known as fatty skin tumors. Most fatty skin tumors are soft to the touch and are movable under your pet’s skin. They are often located on the stomach, just like in Hades’ case, but can be found anywhere on the body. If the lump is between the legs, or on the chest, those lumps can often interfere with the dog’s movement, and may need to be removed. Most dogs with one fatty tumor will eventually develop others as they age. Since lumps that are cancerous can often look like these fatty skin tumors, it’s recommended that every mass be examined by a vet. 

Want to read more about lipomas/fatty skin tumors? Check out these articles.

1. The Bark: Dogs and Lipomas
   
2. Drs. Foster and Smith: Lipomas in dogs - benign fatty growths
   
3. Pet MD: Fatty Skin Tumors in Dogs
   

If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.