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All About Fine Needle Aspiration
If your dog or cat has a suspicious lump or bump or an abnormal area or organ, a biopsy may be needed to determine whether it is benign or malignant. That involves removing a sample under general anesthesia and sending it to a diagnostic lab for evaluation. Depending on your pet’s unique needs, Dr. Finn may recommend a less invasive procedure, known as fine needle aspiration (FNA), to evaluate the lump or organ and determine the best course of treatment.
What Happens During a Fine Needle Aspirate?
Fine needle aspirate is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical biopsies. It involves using a fine needle to extract small samples of cells from abnormal masses, lesions, lymph nodes, organs, or fluid for examination. Most pets tolerate fine needle aspiration and require no anesthesia. However, lesions in sensitive areas like the eyes or ears may require sedation or anesthesia.
During the procedure, Dr. Finn will insert a fine needle into the lump or organ and draw a sample into a syringe. Ultrasound guidance may be required to collect cells or tissue samples from internal organs. The sample is sent to a veterinary histology laboratory for examination. The results usually take a few days to be returned.
What Are the Advantages of Fine Needle Aspirate?
Fine needle aspiration offers several advantages. The procedure is minimally invasive, requiring little to no sedation in most cases. Because the needle used is so tiny, there is a very low risk of bleeding, allowing us to collect samples from multiple sites. The procedure is quick and requires no downtime.
A fine needle aspirate can reveal the types of cells, parasites, or fungi in a suspicious lump or an organ. It helps determine the best course of treatment or, in some cases, whether we need further extensive testing to diagnose your pet’s concerns.
Veterinary Fine Needle Aspirate in McKinney, TX
If you notice an unusual lump or bump on your furry friend or if you have any concerns, contact Pet Method Animal Hospital to schedule a consultation. Dr. Hunter Finn may recommend a fine needle aspirate to evaluate your pet’s condition. The goal is to get your feline or canine companion the needed treatment as soon as possible. We invite you to call 318-232-4393 to schedule an appointment or request one online today!
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Veterinary Fine Needle Aspirate FAQs
The good news is that most lumps and bumps are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. However, a professional evaluation is needed to rule out malignancy. If a mass or tumor is found to be malignant, the sooner we start treatment, the better the outcomes for your furry companion.
Most lumps do not cause any discomfort. However, cancerous masses and abscesses can be very painful. Whether or not a bump seems to cause your pet pain, it’s important to have it evaluated, especially if it appears to grow quickly, is red or inflamed, or seems to interfere with daily activities.
A fine needle aspirate is quick and relatively painless, with most completed without sedation. If, however, we’re collecting a sample from a sensitive area, Dr. Finn will perform the procedure under sedation, general anesthesia, or a local anesthetic, ensuring your feline or canine friend is comfortable and free of pain.