Masses are a common condition in pets. These masses can grow on, in, or just under the skin. Ranging in size from a couple of millimeters to football-sized, masses can represent a wide variety of conditions from simple skin tags, to scars, to malignant cancers, to large fatty growth on dogs and cats.
Mass Removal Surgery
Mass removals typically require sedation or general anesthesia. This serves three functions: ensuring your pet holds perfectly still (with no sudden movements that could cause injury), keeping your pet fear-free (they’ll sleep rather than feeling nervous), and avoiding pain.
Once the mass is removed, our veterinarian will send it to a laboratory for analysis. This test, called a “histopathology,” is the most accurate way to
determine what the mass is (and, if it’s cancerous, to determine whether or not all of the cancer was removed).
In some cases, our team may recommend just monitoring a mass. This is common for masses that look and feel benign (like skin tags). Or, if a mass removal is recommended, we will go over the specific plan with you and answer all of your questions.
Dr. Purificacion was born the Philippines, where her dream of becoming a veterinarian was kindled by raising a Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso duo at home. Her love for animals led her to completion of her veterinary medicine degree at the De La Salle Araneta University Philippines, and clinical clerkship at the Louisiana State University.
Dr. Ertola grew up in San Francisco, where she spent her childhood engaging in activities centered around animals. She volunteered to help socialize shelter cats, worked at a summer camp with the SCPA Hearing Dogs program, and took horseback riding lessons with her cowboy grandpa. Now residing in Bonita with her husband (whom she met at UC San Diego), her two young daughters, and their tri-pawed fur baby Lab mix, Riley, Dr. Ertola cherishes her role as a veterinarian.