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NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Yes, your dog can get liposuction. But not for the same reason many humans would.

Veterinarian Dr. Rebecca Pentecost says liposuction is now being used to treat benign fatty masses called lipomas, that tend to grow on older and overweight animals, especially dogs.

“They can be really big,” Pentecost told Fox8. “I had one that we took almost three and a half liters of fat out of it.“

In the past, geriatric dogs had to undergo a major surgery requiring dozens of stitches and a lengthy recovery. But the liposuction is done through a small incision, and the pet is usually back to normal in 48 hours. Less anesthesia is also used, which is better for older animals

“A lot of dogs that would’ve gone right to surgery because they swallowed something…we can go down the mouth with the scope and pull it back up through the mouth,” said veterinarian Randy Hutchison.