Weird lump on my dog

[Geert81]

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?

Pics at:
http://www.exort.net/1.jpg
http://www.exort.net/2.jpg
http://www.exort.net/3.jpg
http://www.exort.net/4.jpg

 

[Athe]

I would get a second opinion.

 

[Debi]

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]

I would get a second opinion also

 

[bubbatd]

Did your vet aspirate it to check the cells ?? Second opinion tme !!

 

[Saje]

Definitely get a second opinion!

 

[chilover]

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]

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]

Anxious for follow up !

 

[Renee750il]

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]

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]

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]

P.S. Were these pictures taken before or after the vets ?? I would have expected the area to be shaved.

 

[Renee750il]

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]

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]

Renee and EliN ....I hope there's more posted about this.

 

[Geert81]

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]

Glad to hear you're going for a second opinion. Let us know what happens.

 

[Renee750il]

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]

Let us know about the second opinion......