View Full Version : Weird lump on my dog
Geert81
07-14-2005, 04:31 AM
Hi,
my dog has a weird lump/tumour? on his leg. It is right on the joint, and the vet says it will be very hard to operate. He suggests amputation.
Does anyone have any ideas about this?
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Pics at:
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I would get a second opinion.
I'd get a second opinion, also. Ask your vet to refer you to a specialist. It may be a bit costly, but worth saving your pup's leg..or his life. Poor baby, it looks like it would be painful. keep us posted. did you vet have any idea as to what is the cause? has he tried any treatment prior to this suggestion?
Bella's Mom
07-14-2005, 07:41 AM
I would get a second opinion also
bubbatd
07-14-2005, 12:49 PM
Did your vet aspirate it to check the cells ?? Second opinion tme !!
Definitely get a second opinion!
chilover
07-14-2005, 01:11 PM
Was there a biopsy done on the tissue from the lupm? What is it? Is it cancerous? Why amputate? I would definitely get a second opinion!
Renee750il
07-14-2005, 02:57 PM
I think the second opinion opinion is unanimous. It almost looks like he's knocked off the granuloma that forms so often on dogs' elbows. Definitely get a second opinion and have a biopsy or cellular aspiration done to find out what it is exactly before you make any major decisions!
Let us know how things go . . .
bubbatd
07-14-2005, 03:06 PM
Anxious for follow up !
Renee750il
07-14-2005, 03:18 PM
Grammy, don't you think that looks like it's in the right spot for a granuloma to be at the root of the problem? I've never had a dog actually knock one off or have one end up open like that, but I've heard people talk about having had it happen.
aurorab
07-14-2005, 03:32 PM
I agree w/ everyone, b4 I'd go as far as an amputation I would get a second opinion. Plus if the vet hasn't done a biopsey I'd have another vet do one. Why is the vet so set on amputation? Has this been going on for a while? Is he/she worried about the cost to you? First find out his motivation/ reasons and get a 2nd opion.
bubbatd
07-14-2005, 05:07 PM
Renee. yes the area is right, but I think any vet in his right mind would notice that ! I'm anxious to hear more of what the vet actually said and did. I'd hate to thing he was just kidding about amputating !
bubbatd
07-14-2005, 05:09 PM
P.S. Were these pictures taken before or after the vets ?? I would have expected the area to be shaved.
Renee750il
07-14-2005, 06:39 PM
P.S. Were these pictures taken before or after the vets ?? I would have expected the area to be shaved.
That's something that bothered me, Grammy. And I would think a good vet would want to do some cell tests (biopsy, tissue scrape, etc.) before popping out such radical treatment advisement.
Raised my hackles, it did, it did, Grammy . . .
EliNHunter
07-14-2005, 06:47 PM
Raising MY hackles BIG TIME! That vet is NO GOOD if he/she didn't at least aspirate it, or better yet, biopsy it, before just saying "amputate"!!! But if it IS cancerous and hard to operate on because it's at the joint, I'd definitely amputate. Dogs adjust just fine on 3 legs and you'll have more peace of mind!!
bubbatd
07-14-2005, 07:12 PM
Renee and EliN ....I hope there's more posted about this.
Geert81
07-15-2005, 04:11 AM
Hi Guys,
thanks for the numerous replies.
There has been a biopsy. According to my vet, it isn't cancer. However, he suggests amputation because there is not enough skin present to cut this away. It is pretty big.
He isn't hurt. He walks normal, but licks the wound and looses a few drops of blood/day.
The area isn't shaven because the vet told me this about a month ago. I told him to wait (and was expecting it to heal). I disinfected it every day.
It's a weird kind of wound, white surroundings, pink flesh in the middle. I've never seen anything like it (and to be honest, I think the vet hasn't either).
I will get a second opinion and get back to you!
Barb04
07-15-2005, 09:59 AM
Glad to hear you're going for a second opinion. Let us know what happens.
Renee750il
07-15-2005, 10:22 AM
Sounds just like a bedsore type of thing.
Keep him from laying on hard surfaces, for one thing. I'd treat it like a bedsore for awhile . . . have to look up those bandages they use to let the skin heal underneath - or you could ask your pharmacist.
Amputations is too drastic a measure for something that's not cancerous or gangrenous . . . at least not before every other avenue has been exhausted.
bubbatd
07-15-2005, 01:23 PM
Let us know about the second opinion......
Sheba
07-15-2005, 03:42 PM
Yes!Let us all know about it!
Ratboy
07-16-2005, 04:03 AM
On of my dogs has something that looks very similar on her elbow, but it hasn't popped yet. The vet looked at it and said that when she has her teeth done next year, he will fix it, as there's more than enough skin to take it out and sew it up.
My last dog had one that "popped" and it looked almost exactly like the pic. The vet took it off while he was awake! He just numbed it and off it came while Gus watched nervously (but was very good about it) and he stitched it up and we took Gus out for ice cream afterwards. And people say pits and pit mixes aren't good for anything!