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Original poster

Worried about my dog - she has a lump

81 replies

CountessDracula · 18/04/2004 23:07

My 3 year old spayed ridgeback bitch developed a lump on her right thigh (quite low down) about 3 weeks ago. It flared up for a few days and then went so I assumed it was a bite.

When we were in Wales recently it flared up again in the same place and went again in 2 days. Last week it then flared up again and I took her to the vet who has given me the doggy equivalent of fucidin (antibiotic and steriod cream) to see if that works. If not he will chop the lump out and send it to the lab for analysis.

I am now worried sick that she has cancer of course. Anyone got any experience of doggy lumps in this area - what could it be? Feels very "surface" ie you can move it freely, but is quite big, about the size of a Minstrel chocolate, maybe a bit bigger.

OP posts:
Soapbox · 02/05/2004 11:31

Oh Countess Dracula that is awful news, on both counts. I think that unless you've had family pets you don't realise the impact of them being ill. I sobbed for days when my family dog had cancer, so my thoughts are with you at the present time.

miggy · 02/05/2004 15:49

cd-was it a Histiocytoma/mast cell tumour?. Sounds like it from your description. If so please dont worry. They are really common esp in young dogs and are 99.9% of the time never a problem (once removed). They are a tumour of inflammatory cells which is why they get bigger and smaller-if they knock them an inflammatory response happens so they get bigger. The worse thing that ever happens is that they occn recurr-usually in same place. I can say, hand on heart, that in 16yrs, I have never seen one spread internally and cause problems. I'm sure she will be bouncing around soon.

Original poster
CountessDracula · 02/05/2004 16:39

Yes miggy it was a mast cell tumour - are you a vet? That sounds very encouraging.

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tamum · 02/05/2004 16:52

That sounds like good news

Lisa78 · 02/05/2004 17:31

Countess, I am so sorry you are having a bad time right now. Miggy's post sounds very encouraging about your pup though, fingers crossed - please let us know how she gets on and give her a chewy stick from my mutt in the meantime

Original poster
CountessDracula · 02/05/2004 21:54

miggy are you there? Sorry I just wondered how you have encountered these tumours - our vet seemed to think that they could be very serious ie go through to the organs/lymph system etc.

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miggy · 03/05/2004 21:42

Sorry CD-been bank holidaying with kids in rain.
Yes-I am a vet.
Your vet is right, they can be serious, depending on grade of malignancy. BUT they very rarely are.
How old is your dog?

maomao · 03/05/2004 21:48

Countess,

I'm sorry---somehow I missed this thread. Just wanted to send you some virtual hugs for you, your pup, and your mum and stepdad.

Lisa78 · 03/05/2004 21:53

Hi CD, let us know how the scan goes tomorrow
Lots of luck

Codswallop · 03/05/2004 21:54

speak soon Cd

Issymum · 03/05/2004 22:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

miggy · 03/05/2004 22:24

CD-if you are insured and have any problems, ask your vet for referral to the oncology unit at Cambridge vet school. Fab place, really nice people and latest treatments including radiotherapy.

Heathcliffscathy · 03/05/2004 22:26

god CD i've been offline all weekend and missed this: so sorry. typical that you should be dealing with it all at once . Thinking of you.

miggy · 03/05/2004 23:10

CD-if you want more info-but only read this if you like to know things, this is the best site I can find you. www.kateconnick.com/library/mastcelltumor.html
Sorry cant make link work
But remember most are grade one

Original poster
CountessDracula · 03/05/2004 23:11

Thanks to EVERYONE you are all so lovely.

We have had a comically awful weekend - I'm not looking for ANY sympathy here but it has just gone from bad to worse and dh and I have been laughing about it tonight, saying we shouldn't be allowed out

Started with the story below, stepfather having stroke and dog having cancer (fortunately the worst news of the weekend)

Then I woke up with vile cold/chest infection on Sat.

We went to PILs, dh slept on their shitty bed and woke up with terrible bad back (he slipped a disc at xmas and it has been ok for a while but now is really bad again, can barely walk!)

So, we came back up last night as dh wanted to sleep on our mattress. He was meant to be going to court (is lawyer) on Monday in Manchester but his back so bad that he couldn#t spend 5 hrs + on the train, so I drove him up to work with dd today and helped him sort out all the documents for the barrister.

When we came out, drove off and had a flat tyre!! In the Previa which we hardly ever drive, so had to call AA and wait for them to come and change it.

Luckily dd made friends with a nice passing doggy on the pavement in Holborn and was playing with him, then AA man arrived, put his generator on and the dog went bonkers at the noise and then had a fit (literally) and convulsed and frothed all over the pavement in front of us !!!!!! (happily had almost recovered by the time we left - we did offer to drive them home but they said they thought the dog may have a breakdown at being in a strange car)

FFS!! We drove home very slowly and have not left the house since as we figure we are dodgy to be around at the moment.

Anyone beat that for a totally SHITE weekend?

OP posts:
miggy · 03/05/2004 23:11

Actually here it is

Heathcliffscathy · 03/05/2004 23:15

bloodynora cd!!!! great that you're seeing the funny side...

Original poster
CountessDracula · 03/05/2004 23:15

Thank you so much Miggy. I'll print that off and show to dh.

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Original poster
CountessDracula · 03/05/2004 23:16

Christonabike what else can you do? If we hadn't laughed we'd have topped ourselves by now I think!!!

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Original poster
CountessDracula · 03/05/2004 23:18

Oh and to top it all dd has started having BIG TIME tantrums, headbutting and hitting ones. Ho hum

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Original poster
CountessDracula · 04/05/2004 13:17

HURRAH HURRAH GOOD NEWS AT LAST!!!!

Just spoke to the vet and there is NO sign of the tumour having spread to anywhere else, they got the whole thing out so she is in the clear for now!!!

I can't tell you how relieved I am.

Thank you all for your support xxxx

OP posts:
Janh · 04/05/2004 13:28
Smile
Lisa78 · 04/05/2004 13:30

Oh WONDERFUL countess, am so happy

Give her a really big fuss from me and my mutt - and some nice boiled chicken I think!

Marina · 04/05/2004 13:33

Somehow missed the genesis of this thread but really happy to hear that the news is so good for you today

Original poster
CountessDracula · 04/05/2004 13:35

Thanks- am still snivelling with joy!!

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