lipoma liposuction

lipoma liposuction
Why can’t you just aspirate canine lipomas to reduce their mass?

You know, like liposuction. My dog had a lipoma the size of a golf ball on the back of her rear leg. Since she has mast cell disease, the vet aspirated it numerous times to make sure it was still benign. It ended up half it’s original size.

I’ve seen older dogs with lipomas so big they were debilitating but inoperable for various reasons. So, ok you vets out there, what gives?

Because lipomas don’t usually get much larger than a golf ball. They are benign, so unless the lipoma is in an area that causes discomfort, it is better to leave it alone. Lipomas usually don’t get larger after a certain point. If a mass continues to grow, it is likely not a lipoma. And because lipomas usually show up on older dogs, surgery to remove is considered cosmetic and unnecessary (unless as I stated, it is in an area that causes discomfort). And suctioning it off is not very practical. It causes the dog discomfort.

Laser surgery Norwich, Norfolk, UK