DDog is in the vets- Lumps on his neck.

[Smallsteps88]

He already has numerous problems. Kidneys and heart, bad hips. Hes 10. He’s stopped eating, just wanting to lie down all the time. Swollen lymph nodes in his hips too. High temperature. Vet is doing bloods and then biopsy depending on what bloods show. She mentioned the C word.

Someone please tell me this isn’t it? I’m breaking my heart here.

[BiteyShark]

I'm so sorry OP I can't offer any advice other than a hand hold

[Smallsteps88]

Thank you bitey. I know nobody can really tell me anything other than what the vet has. He’s been so down. Not his happy self at all.

[BadEyeBri]

Hi OP, sorry your Doggo isn't well. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a sign of cancer. The main worry being lymphoma. BUT cancer isn't the only thing that causes enlarged lymph nodes. You mentioned that Ddog has a temperature so it's possible that there is an infection or inflammatory process causing this. Your vet will likely be treading a cautious path and treating doggo symptomatically until the test results provide a diagnosis. If you are confused about anything please just ring your vet and ask. It's what we are there for. I'd much rather my clients ring and speak to me than sit at home panicking. Fingers crossed that doggo is up and about soon.

[Smallsteps88]

Thank you for that @BadEyeBri, yes I’m hoping it’s just an infection. Would that cause the lumps in his neck? I’m so worried about him having to go under anaesthetic for the biopsy.

[BadEyeBri]

Hi, he will have lymph nodes in his neck too. Some between his lower jaw and neck- just below his ears and some on his neck just in front of his shoulders.

[Smallsteps88]

Yes that’s were the lumps are. I can’t remember if the vet said they were swollen lymph nodes too. I was a bit stressed and she said a lot of things.

[BadEyeBri]

So the blood results will indicate if there is infection present. Then your vet might do (or have done) fine needle aspiration of your dogs lymph nodes. These are done conscious using tiny needles that take a very small sample of cells that can be checked for cancer. A full surgical biopsy under anaesthetic might be done after the needle aspirate if there are abnormal cells found.
Good luck, try to stay positive and again speak with your vet rather than horrifying yourself on Dr Google.

[Smallsteps88]

Thank you, that’s really helpful. I’ve deliberately not googled. I am worried enough as it is. I should have a phone call in the morning from the vet.

[BadEyeBri]

Hi OP, how's your dog today? I've my fingers crossed for you

[Smallsteps88]

Hi @BadEyeBri, I’ve just got him home. His bloods showed low protein and some other word I can’t remember, and he is also slightly anaemic. His white blood cells were normal which vet said doesnt sound like an infection. He had his biopsy so is very sore and drowsy and he’s home with antibiotics and steroids. I’ll get the biopsy results next week. Thanks for asking.

[BadEyeBri]

Big hugs for you both

[Smallsteps88]

Thank you.