Mast Cell Tumour - 9yo labrador

[musicmadness]

i just need a little bit of advice about how to look after him afterwards.

Background:
My labrador has developed several lumps on his body (1 between his eyes, 1 on his side, 2 on his neck, 1 on his leg, 1 next to his nipple). We took him to the vets 3 weeks ago and the vet said to just keep an eye on him and see if any of the lumps changed, but to pay extra attention to the one next to his nipple. The lump got harder and a bit bigger so we took him back on tuesday and he had a needle biopsy. Got a phone call on friday saying it was a mast cell tumour and he is going for an operation to remove it and all the other lumps (apparently precautionary as they don't think the other lumps are tumours but want to get them all out just in case) this monday.

Has anyone experienced this before? What are the common side effects of the anaesthetic? It just seems like such a big thing, he's having lumps removed from all over his body and this is the first time he has ever been at the vets for anything other than booster jabs. I'm just panicking a bit i think and i know i won't really be taking in anything the vet says when i drop him off on monday morning.

I'm sorry this didn't get answered. Hope it went well.

How is he now?

Just read this post and like Bella32 I hope it all went well. How is your dog now?

He's back home. He looks like he has been in a fight with a woodchipper TBH. They took all the lumps out so he is covered in stitches, including a set of stitches that goes straight down the centre of his head between his eyes. Still waiting for biopsy results but he seems well enough in himself. Having a bit of trouble stopping him licking as there is a set of stitches down his neck so the vet said he can't wear the collar as it will rub and hurt him. He loves his walks now though, everyone keeps stopping and making a fuss over him which he is very happy about! Back at the vets tomorrow for a post surgery check up so they can decide when to take the stitches out. Fingers crossed!

So pleased he's home MusicMadness!

I really hope all is well the biopsy. Will you get the results tomorrow when he goes back to see the vet?

Didn't get the results, they should be in next tuesday or wednesday. Nurse says he is healing up fine apart from the "main" operation site where she thinks there may be a small lump. Personally I think they stitched him back together wonky because it looks exactly the same as hours after his operation. I'm hoping so anyway, he went in to have lumps taken out not have more created! He is fine within himself though so i'm taking it as a good sign.
More worried about how on earth i'm going to pay for it now TBH. Its on my credit card atm until i get the details off the vet to put in a claim on his insurance. He only gets 80% coverage though due to his age and with the excess as well its a hell of a lot of money! His policy renewal is next month as well. Great timing! I don't begrudge paying it for him for a second but i'm already coming up with a mental hitlist of where cut backs can be made.
Hopefully the biopsy will bring good news, i don't ever want to see him in the state he was in after the surgery again if i can help it. The sight of him covered in stitches with bright white skin where they'd shaved him, and staggering out not even really recognising me will be with me for a very long time.