- Home
- Dog Treatments
- Needle Aspiration in Dogs
Needle Aspiration in Dogs
What is Needle Aspiration?
Needle aspiration, also known as fine needle aspiration, is the most commonly used and least invasive diagnostic and biopsy method available. Fine needle aspiration involves using a needle to collect a sample of cells from a mass, lesion, or organ. Fine needle aspiration may also be used to collect a small sample of fluid in conditions where effusion – or fluid build-up – is present. The veterinarian will examine the sample using a microscope immediately after the sample is collected.
However, any tentative diagnosis made using cytology must be confirmed by histological analysis. This means the sample must be sent to a laboratory and examined by a certified veterinary histologist. Results usually arrive within one to two days of examination.
Needle Aspiration Procedure in Dogs
Needle aspiration is a quick and painless procedure. The approach to needle aspiration will vary based on the location of the condition. Ultrasound guidance is usually required to collect cell and tissue samples from internal organs. Sedatives or anesthesia may be administered to dogs that have lesions in sensitive areas, including the eyes and ears.
- The mass or lesion is cleaned.
- A fine needle with an empty syringe is inserted into the mass or organ.
- Suction is created when the plunger of the syringe is pulled back. This draws cells into the syringe and is known as aspiration. This process may be repeated several times to ensure an adequate sample is collected for examination.
- The cellular sample is transferred to a microscope slide and dried.
- A specialized dye is used to stain the slide so the cells show up clearly under the microscope.
- The veterinarian will then examine the slide under the microscope before sending it to a certified veterinary histology laboratory.
Efficacy of Needle Aspiration in Dogs
Fine needle aspiration is one of the most effective diagnostic and biopsy methods available today. It is also one of the least invasive diagnostic procedures, and causes virtually no pain for pets. In fact, the needle used for aspiration is typically thinner than needles used for vaccination. However, fine needle aspiration is not 100% effective. The effectiveness of needle aspiration ranges from 90.9% to 97.9%. The effectiveness of fine needle aspiration biopsy is 70% to 80%.
There is a chance that diseased cells will not be collected through fine needle aspiration. This applies particularly to certain types of cancer cells. While fine needle aspiration may help confirm some forms of cancer, other types of cancer cells – notably sarcomas – are more difficult to collect. This occurs because sarcoma cells do not easily exfoliate, or separate from the mass. Tissue biopsy is recommended to confirm a diagnosis of cancer.
Needle Aspiration Recovery in Dogs
Because it is a diagnostic procedure, dogs will not need to recover from fine needle aspiration. The veterinarian will contact the owner when the histology results come in – usually within one to two days – to determine the best course of treatment. If owners notice any changes in mass size or appearance, they should contact their veterinarian right away.
Cost of Needle Aspiration in Dogs
The cost of needle aspiration in dogs will vary depending on standards of living and additional treatment and diagnostic costs incurred. Fine needle aspiration is typically an inexpensive procedure which ranges in cost from $25 to $200. These costs may or may not include laboratory fees.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Dog Needle Aspiration Considerations
Needle aspiration is not recommended for dogs that have oral lesions or masses, since general anesthesia or sedation will be required to obtain a cell sample. In dogs with dermatological masses, all masses should be evaluated using fine needle aspiration. Sometimes, some skin masses can be benign while others are cancerous.
There are very few complications associated with needle aspiration. The main concern is misdiagnosis. However, misdiagnosis is incredibly rare, particularly if the pathologist and veterinarian are highly skilled. If the appearance of the aspirated mass changes significantly after aspiration, re-aspiration may be required.
Needle Aspiration Prevention in Dogs
Many conditions diagnosed by fine needle aspiration are difficult to prevent. Owners should make sure their dogs attend regular veterinary checkups so that underlying conditions can be diagnosed and treated quickly.
Needle Aspiration Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Corgi
Six Years
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
Dog has enlarged lymph nodes in several areas (under jaw and back of legs) snoring loudly at night. Bloodwork normal and fine needle aspirate came back inconclusive no sign but vet said pathologist suspects lymphoma but can’t confirm diagnosis. I am so worried. Is there any chance inconclusive is good news? If he had lymphoma would it be likely to show up? Already did a second FNA
Dec. 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
15 Recommendations
Hello, with what your are describing, I too would strongly suspect lymphoma. It could come back and not be lymphoma but usually only one lymph node is enlarged not many of them. So sorry and I do hope for a good outcome. I think the second FNA will help give you answers
Dec. 30, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Dachshund
Four Years
17 found this helpful
17 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump
My dog has had a lump for the last week and a half. I took him to the vet today and they preformed a fine needle aspiration. The vet said she saw white blood cells which could mean it could be inflammation or limpoma cancer I believe she called it but she was unsure. It’s now a few hours after the appointment and the lump has decreased in size. Is this a good thing? What does this mean? Should I get a second opinion? Does this cancel out the possibility of cancer?
Aug. 18, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
17 Recommendations
Hello, If it has decreased in size since the appointment especially if it was a very drastic decrease in size this is most likely inflammation and may eventually go away. If it continues to stay the same size or get bigger then I would worry about cancer. If you give your dog a few days you will know if you need to get a second option or if this is just inflammation.
Aug. 18, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labradoodle
Seven Years
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mass Right Leg
Did needle aspiration on my pups mass. Inconclusive it showed fat skin and blood. Vet still not sure what it is. Pathology doesn’t think a new specimen will help. Just want to monitor. I want to biopsy it even though they said it was not in operable place. Any suggestions
July 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, the only choices are to do another aspirate, to take a larger surgical biopsy, or to monitor it. It depends on what the outcome will be, if it is not operable, I'm not sure that it makes sense to try to find out what it is necessarily, unless you are considering going to a specialist for surgery, in which case knowing what it is would be extremely helpful. If that is a route that you are wanting to take, it may be best to have a referral to a surgeon, and have a discussion with them on expected outcomes and what the next step might be. I hope that all goes well for your dog.
July 24, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Shih Tzu
Lili Mae
7 Years
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Multiple Lumps Clustered
My dog has a cluster of lumps on her upper left flank. The vet aspirated one of them and said she found a green sludge that came from the lump. She didn’t think it was serious but suggested that they be surgically removed. What would this green sludge be and wouldn’t a test on it be the next step versus surgery?
Aug. 15, 2018
6 Recommendations
It depends on the type of sludge which came out; testing options can be limited and in this case the only real option may be making a smear on a slide to determine if any particular cells are present but it probably wouldn’t tell us much. I cannot say what the ‘sludge’ is without looking at various properties of it, however the lumps themselves may be due to abscess, cysts or other growths and may need to be surgically removed regardless. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 15, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labrador Retriever
Comet
11 Years
5 found this helpful
5 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Head Swelling
Drooling
Listlessness
Body Movement In Bed
My dog just had an aspiration (his second, the first aspiraiton resulted in the lump by his right ear growing even bigger) but when the vet poked the needle into the lump, it started bleeding out on its own. The vet told me it was because there was more pressure than the last time and that the bleeding would stop. It only stopped for a while after they cauterised the puncture site, but as soon as we got home, droplets of blood have been appearing is there anything I can do at home to help with the clotting or must I go to the vet again? (Also his drool is copious and thick is this a serious problem?)
Aug. 13, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
5 Recommendations
There isn't really anything that you can do at home to stop that bleeding other than gentle pressure or a cold compress. Keeping him quiet will decrease his blood pressure and should also help. I hope that your veterinarian is able to determine what the mass is and what to do about it.
Aug. 13, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Labrador Retriever
Cooper
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Mass
A small quarter size mass showed up on my 3 year old labs shoulder/back area, I took him to the vet for an FNA. The doctor said he is unsure if it is a mast cell tumor or lipoma. My baby is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday and I am terrified. How does he not know if this is a mast cell or not? Is he too scared to tell me it’s cancerous? He was so vague and I am worried what we are facing! Please help!
Border Terrier
Eddie
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump On Back
Found a small lump on dogs spine and our vet did a needle aspiration on it. she tried a couple of times to get a sample to send off. A yellowish substance was obtained. The results were inconclusive so we are having the lump removed and checked. His lump has become bigger since the the aspiration. Could this be due to the procedure as it was done 5 days ago?
Italian Greyhound
Blu
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I have a 5 year old male italian greyhound. About two or three years ago i noticed he had a pimple like bump on his foreskin. It never grew so i just left it. Last week i noticed him licking a lot so i looked and saw that it was red inflammed and looked like it was kind of popped. I took him to the vet and they did the cytology test and said that multiple mast cells and eosinophills were noted. What does that mean, do you think that i should have it removed? A couple days after it was red and inflammed it returned to normal. Im just wondering if its back to normal do i still get it removes
Italian Greyhound
Blu
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I have a 5 year old male italian greyhound. About two or three years ago i noticed he had a pimple like bump on his foreskin. It never grew so i just left it. Last week i noticed him licking a lot so i looked and saw that it was red inflammed and looked like it was kind of popped. I took him to the vet and they did the cytology test and said that multiple mast cells and eosinophills were noted. What does that mean, do you think that i should have it removed? I might add that The bump is now back to normal not red or inflammed.
Dachshund
Hugo
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
Our Hugo, 13 yr old mini-dachshund has a mass on his spleen. They did fine-needle aspiration. Report says "no overt malignant cells" but that it doesn't mean it isn't cancer.
They said if we do splenectomy and there IS cancer, he won't live much longer. Asymptomatic now.
