My female has a growth on her vulva. It has been there for several months that I am aware of. The vet was the one who noticed it, during an office visit for something else. She said if it does not seem to bother her, not to worry about it, but if it gets bigger to come in and have it removed.

I am concerned that if it is cancer, isn't a biopsy going to make it spread? I would like to take her to a holistic vet, rather then the traditional treatment of symptoms.

She is going to the vet, but I like to try to be a little educated, talk to people who have seen a growth like this before and hear their experiences. So, thanks in advance.

In ferrets when the vulva swells it's adrenal disease. Never seen this in dogs but culd be the same. Although that does look like a growth and not just swelling. Keep us posted.

Vaginal and vulvar tumors come second only after mammary tumors in female dogs. (That is including benign and cancerous.)

This article is about humans but the observations apply to most mammals, including dogs: http://www.cancertreatmentwatch.org/general/biopsies.shtml

This is JMO, but I personally want all the diagnostic know-how of modern Western medicine brought to bear on telling me what it is when I think it might be a malignant tumor. Only after that would I start deciding on whom to consult, what treatments sound better to me, and so forth.

Again, this is JMO. I would want that diagnosis.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Again, this is JMO. I would want that diagnosis.

I totally agree with Connie. Treatment would be secondary to finding out the diagnosis. IMO, holistic is preventative not the cure when it's gone too far.

Please let us know.

I wrote something earlier but it disappeared.
How old it this dog? Has this dog had puppies? Did she have a prolonged or difficult labor? With tearing of the perineum? Was this dog recently bred naturally? Does this dog have a history of urinary tract infection, or do a lot of "licking" for any reason?
Bladder stones?
Do these little masses feel hard, like BBs under the skin? Has this dog ever had a wound in this area (hit by a car long time ago?) I'm fishing for possible "scars" which have healed in a funny way. The perineum has incredible blood supply, odd things can happen in repair.
Does this dog have any other "growths"?
The growths look like warts, pedunculated (on a stalk) warts rather than cancer but this should be examined, especially if it is growing, changing. If it has been there a long time and has not changed and is soft, feels just like skin, I would be less concerned.
Is there irritated skin under these little masses where we can't see?
These would be some of the things your veterinarian will ask.

PS-biopsies don't make it spread even though it does sometimes seem that way.

She was born in July 2006. She has not had any litters, I let her go into her first heat and got her fixed directly after that. She has no history of stones or infections, but she has had some injuries. When she was about 2 she cut the end of her tail on something, took her to the vet, he said to amputate it. I felt the need to at least try to get the tail to heal, my other dog had a tail injury with a cut and it healed. Well she is a tail wagger, kept popping it open, my walls were a mess, finally after a month, I took her back and she got the tail amputated about 3 inches off. Her only other injuries included a cut on the front pad and a toenail was recently removed.
The vet did say not to worry if it does not get bigger. She did not go into much more, as the dog was there for a flea pill examination. It is soft to touch it, she does not lick.

"The vet did say not to worry if it does not get bigger. "


It did get bigger, right?

Or did I completely misunderstand?

almost forgot, she has a little bump on her side also.





sorry, not the best with a camera.

Thank you for the link Connie, it was very helpful.

correct, it has gotten bigger. I have made her an appt to go in, I am trying to prepare for the worse news, and just be a little educated before hand. All the things I hear about cancer and cancer treatments, it's all very scary.