Pet Lump and Bump Cancer Screening

Screen canine lumps and bumps with the VISTA iQ. Creature Comforts Veterinary Service clinic exterior hero banner showcasing compassionate pet care in Saylorsburg, PA

Lump and Bump Cancer Screening for Dogs We know how concerning it can be to find a lump or bump on your dog. That’s why we’re proud to offer a new way to screen canine lumps and bumps with the VISTA iQ. The VISTA iQ is an advanced, gentle cancer-screening tool designed specifically for dogs, which enables us to assess the risk of your dog’s lump in real-time without any invasive procedures.

Sadly, around half of dogs over the age of 10 develop cancer and about one-third of these cases involve skin tissue. Catching potential problems early can make a big difference in your dog’s long-term quality of life, which is why we’ve invested in this innovative technology. Pet owner and veterinarian discussing a skin lump found on a dog during a wellness visit Pet receiving a lump and bump skin assessment from a veterinary professional

What is the VISTA iQ? The VISTA iQ is a safe, non-invasive screening tool that helps us assess your dog’s lumps and bumps, no needles involved. Why pet owners love it:
  • No needles
  • Quick 40-second scan
  • Results in just 2 minutes
  • Highly accurate
  • Comfortable and well-tolerated by dogs
 Veterinary team member reviewing a pet's lump or bump diagnosis with a concerned pet owner Veterinarian performing a lump and bump examination on a dog at Creature Comforts Veterinary Service

How does it work?

The VISTA iQ utilizes groundbreaking technology known as Heat Diffusion Imaging (HDI).

During the scan:

  • The device gently warms the lump by 6°C (42°F)
  • It then measures how the tissue warms up and cools down

Healthy and unhealthy tissues warm and cool at different rates because of differences in blood supply, metabolism, and tissue structure. This information is analyzed by a trained and validated artificial intelligence system. Your dog’s result can be ready in as little as two minutes.

Each lump is given:

  • A cancer risk level (low, moderate, or high)
  • A cancer risk percentage
  • And, if it meets strict criteria, a diagnostic alert

Veterinarian palpating a lump on a dog's body during a routine veterinary exam
Close-up of a pet skin growth being assessed during a lump and bump evaluation at a veterinary clinic

What happens at the appointment?

Simply call us to book a screening appointment for your dog’s lump.

Your dog will be seen by one of our friendly Veterinary Technicians, who will:

  • Perform an exam
  • Discuss any lumps or bumps you’re worried about
  • Clip a small patch of fur over each lump
  • Perform the 40-second scan and review the results (ready in 2 minutes)
  • Refer you to our veterinarians who will perform a full clinical assessment, discuss the results, and consult with you on the best next steps.

What happens next?

  • Low Cancer Risk results usually mean we’ll recommend keeping an eye on the lump for any changes.
  • Moderate or High Cancer Risk results may lead to a discussion about taking a small sample for laboratory testing (Fine Needle Aspiration or a Biopsy).

Found a Lump? We’re Here to Help

If you’ve noticed a new lump or bump on your dog, don’t panic – and don’t ignore it.

Book an appointment with our team and we’ll:

  • Examine the lump
  • Explain your options clearly
  • Perform the quick, gentle scan
  • Create a personalised plan for the next steps

Your dog’s comfort and your peace of mind are always our priority.

Veterinarian examining a pet lump or bump during a skin check at Creature Comforts Veterinary Service

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Dermal mass
  • Subdermal mass
  • Uniflamed masses
  • Masses larger than 4-0.5 cm
  • Masses on the head(away from the eye area), body, and tail

Unfortunately, no.
  • The light produced by the scanner might be unsafe to the eye.
  • Some foot pad lumps cannot be scanned accurately because the device must include the surrounding healthy skin, which isn’t possible on the pads.

No. Testicles, mammary tissue, and lymph nodes cannot be scanned because these tissues behave differently from skin masses and are not part of the VISTA iQ’s algorithm.

No. Most ulcerated or infected masses must be treated and healed before scanning, as the tissue’s behaviour can interfere with accurate results.

Yes. The minimum size that can be scanned is 0.4 cm.

Yes. If the fur is present, it will block the heat waves reaching the mass tissue, and the AI system will not be able to assess the thermal activity.

No. The scan is non-invasive and uses an LED light to gently warm the mass.

The temperature increase of 6°C / 42°F is safe for all patients and does not affect cancer cells. No PPE is needed.

A low result means the mass has an average cancer risk of 2% and 98% chance of being benign.
These lumps can usually be monitored at home and rescanned if their size or texture changes.

Moderate scores means an average cancer risk of 25% (1 in 4 risk for cancer). This means there is a moderate chance the mass is malignant, and further investigation is recommended. Some thermal features may have appeared suspicious, so sampling the mass is the safest next step, and may confirm the mass is benign.

Even though the mass may still turn out benign, early detection is important for the best outcomes.

A High score indicates a cancer risk above 50% (more than a 1 in 2 risk for cancer), and further investigation is required.

We will discuss options such as a Fine Needle Aspiration or biopsy.

Each mass is analysed independently. Only lumps that meet the algorithm’s strict criteria will receive a diagnostic alert.

If you spot a lump on your dog, don’t wait and see; call us to book an appointment today.