u/SuspectRealistic2408

So we have been monitoring my 8 year old terriers lipoma on her shoulder for a year now. We had a series of 3 vets/5 samples - 3 vets examined in office under microscope and two were sent to path for review. First one, probably lipoma, second too few cells - and that sample was poked in many locations of it.

The vet suggested removal because it was by her shoulder muscle wall, grew a little and she thought while young and mass is small, lets do it now. Ended up being a 10x 13 long removal.

I am worried now it is something else in there. Anyones dog have a lipoma that big or have the diagnosis change once the mass was removed. Could all 5 samples be that wrong?

I am a worrier so I paid the extra $83 to have it done priority. It arrived at the Antech lab on Wednesday and as of Friday not back.

Anyones dog have large lipomas that were just lipomas and did not come back as cancer ?

Anyone have FNA that were all incorrect?

My dog ( Beagle/terrier mix, F, 7yrs old) has this semi-firm to wobbly area on her shoulder.

2025 3cm- aspirated- lipoma

2025- second opinion- aspirated- lipoma

2025- sent to pathology- probable lipoma

2026 - aspirated looks like lipoma to eye

2026- Sample Type: Single lesion/tissue (FNA, swab, impression smear)

CYTOLOGIC EVALUATION

SPECIMEN: 2 slides. Right shoulder over scapula.

HISTORY: soft SQ growth attached to dermal layer.

DESCRIPTION: The slides contain rare erythrocytes, slight proteinaceous material, mild keratinocytes, and slight nondescript debris.

INTERPRETATION: Too few nucleated cells for cytologic interpretation

COMMENTS: Unfortunately, the low cellularity of the smears precludes a cytologic diagnosis. Given the low cellularity of the sample, re-aspiration and submission of additional slides from this lesion can be considered, as clinically warranted. Please note that re-aspiration may yield similar results, and histopathologic evaluation may be ultimately required for diagnosis.

Vet suggesting remove because it's attaching to muscle.

My 8 year old Beagle/terrior mix has a semi-firm to wobbly 3cm area on her mid shoulder area. Found in Aug 25.

In 2025

Aspirated by vet and looked at under microscope- appeared as fat or lipoma.

Aspirated by second vet- another vets office -looked at and looked like lipoma.

Aspirated again by first vet to send out for assessment- came back as probably lipoma.

2025

Measures 3.2-3.3 cm, so grew a little. Aspirated 2 samples, vet put on slide, held to light and said it looks like lipoma, but since it grew, lets send it out again.

She said no matter what the results, we should discuss removing it because its on the body wall and better to remove before it causes issues and the dog is younger.

What the heck....is this the normal process? Should I be worried that we are sending it out again?

Dog is active and healthy. Does blood work and only issue was elevated ALP. Took dog for ultrasound and adrenals/liver all appear normal.

Awaiting cytology for aspirate....again

My dog is 8 year old beagle terrier mix. We do yearly visits with the vet. Last year we found a woobly areas attached to her body wall on her shoulder area. Vet looked under the microscope and thought lipoma. Sent to Pathology and it indeed came back as lipoma. This year, the area grew a little bit and the vet wanted to do another FNA. She took two samples put them on slides and said they look oily to her and look like lipomas. But, she wanted to send it out to pathology again. Can you help me to understand this process.

She also said since it is on the body wall near the shoulder, that we should get it removed while she's younger and before it bothers her.