My puppy has a tumor!

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Well, ok, Tigger’s not quite a puppy anymore, she’s 7 years old now. But she’s my baby!

About 2 weeks ago I noticed that she had a huge lump on her shoulder, and she was scratching it. I made an appointment with the vet. She took a sample of the lump and told me that she’d stain it and look at it under the microscope. The next day she called and told me it was not a cyst, and could be a mast cell tumor! So she sent the sample away to the lab, and about a week later, I fould out it definately was a mast cell tumor.

So she went in to have it removed. She said she’d have to take 3 cm around the lump in each direction to properly remove it. Once it was removed, it would be sent to another lab and they would determine what stage it was in. the earlier they catch it, the easier it is to treat. So I dropped Tigger off in the morning, and picked her up later that night.

It turns out that once they shaved the area, they found 2 more lumps nearby. She had to remove these too. This actually could be very bad, if it’s spreading already it could be much more difficult to treat.

I also found out that they had given her as much anastethic as they safely could, and she was still standing up right after surgery. I didn’t think the painkillers would wear off so soon, but the next morning she was in a lot of pain, and whining quite piteously.

So now Tigger has 3 huge scars on her shoulders, it’s been healing for a few days, and she’s doing really well. But I still don’t have the results of those tests! I wish they’d hurry up!

Anyone have any experience with dogs who have mast cell tumors? What’s the life expectancy after getting one of these? My vet spoke about radiation therapy, I didn’t even know they had that for dogs!

For anyone who wants the obligatory pics:

Tigger and Esme

2

Oh Stephi, your doggie is so beautiful!

Give her big kisses from her Aunty Canty, okay?

I have no medical advice; just know I’m thinking about you and your puppy.

3

The only medical info I have is at this site: http://www.afip.org/ferrets/Mast/mastcell.html - which is written by a respected ferret pathologist. Unlike in ferrets, these tumors apparently are nearly always malignant in dogs and cats, and surgery/chemo/etc. appear to be recommended. Sorry, I know good medical resources for stuff like this about ferrets, but haven’t the faintest idea where something reliable would be for dogs.

4

Stupidly, I forgot to add that I’m very sorry to hear this. Two of my ferrets had to be put to sleep after they were discovered to have very advanced cases of lymphoma. This seems to spread quickly in them, perhaps having something to do with their fast metabolism; I’m not certain. I hope your vet has caught this early and that your doggie will be all right.

5

We have had two dogs get cancer- a yellow Lab (tumors) and a Newfoundland (leukemia).

There is treatment available, but it is costly and may impact the dog’s quality of life.

We had one of Caesar’s tumors removed (the one on his leg) and didn’t know about the one on or near his pericardial sac until it was way too late. Brendan was diagnosed with leukemia on Thursday and gone by Saturday.

I have gone through animal surgeries, and it’s very hard. You can’t explain to them that this pain is temporary and they will feel better soon, etc.

I am so sorry. I wish I could help.

6

I’m so sorry.

Your dog is adorable.

Hey, hang in there and keep us updated.

Tibs.

7

I have no real info regarding mast cell tumors but I had a female Brittany named Lou who had five tumors removed in November 2000 when she was approx 11 years old. The vet told me it was probably metastatic breast cancer but due to her advanced age we didn’t pursue biopsyies or cancer treatment. She lived another full years without any symptoms and then gradually she began getting more confused, blind and incontinent. I had her put to sleep on April 12 this year when her quality of life had deteriated to nil.

At 7 years old, I would strongly consider cancer treatment because the pup could likely live another 5 or 6 years. It would be worth it for that amount of time.

8

We had five such tumors removed from our small, ten year old house-dog four years ago. The vet said they would probably return, and due to her age, he didn’t recommend chemo or radiological threrapy.

We got lucky, I guess, because she has developed no further tumors and has needed no further treatment. At age 14, she’s doing fine.

Here’s hoping you and your dog get just as lucky as we did with our dog.

9

Stephi, Tigger is beautiful! I hope everything works out all right. She looks like a sweet puppy.

10

Best wishes to you and Tigger.
She’s a beautiful dog.

11

She’s beautiful! I LOVE Goldens! They are just about the sweetest dogs in the world, I think.

Unfortunately, I have no advice to offer as far as treatment goes. From what I understand, though, if it’s a treatable kind of cancer, how much they’ll do pretty much is up to you and your wallet and the dog’s quality of life. If you can pay for it, vets can do amazing things for critters these days.

sneaking Tigger a treat

12

Vet called today, she got the lab results back this morning. The 2nd and 3rd lump they removed were just harmless cysts! The 1st big lump was a mast cell tumor, at stage one. Which means that once they remove it, it’s gone. She said that in Goldens the tumors very rarely come back. Which is big relief!

I think we dodged a bullet this time!

A friend took day 2 pics, they’re kinda gross, just a warning!

http://aaitlol.tricolour.net/~rgb/photos/2002/05/04/23-48-17.html

13

So glad to hear that Tigger’s prognosis is good. Woohooo! Hope that hair grows back soon.

L-

P.S. In the first photo, is “Esme” the kitty or what you’ve named those toes sticking out of the covers? :slight_smile:

14

Good luck and all the best to Tigger - he is lovely! And so is that little grey cat!

15

Alex, my cat mentioned in the pets thread, had a large mass removed quite recently - I was heartbroken when he was in so much pain the next morning :frowning: He was growling at nothing and moving like… well, like he’d had a huge hole cut in his side.

Several other lumps have turned up in that general area already. I can’t do it to him again, so we’ll just love him in the time we have left and put him to sleep when they start affecting his quality of life (the last mass grew very quickly - if these others don’t do the same, we could have him for a couple more years…) He’s already 13.

:frowning:

Hope Tigger’s doing well, I have my fingers crossed for yas!

16

Thanks everyone for your thoughts/sympathies/well wishes!

And yes, the kitty curled up next to Tig is Esme. She thinks the dog is her mommy. :slight_smile:

17

Here’s to Tigger’s quick recovery.

I was also wondering whose fingers or toes were poking out from underneath the pillow.

Venoma: Sorry to hear about kitty. :frowning:

18

YAY!!! I’m so happy to hear your dog is doing well. Some family friends in Beaumont had a golden retriever who had developed a big tumor on her chest between her legs and her neck. It was HUGE, but they said it didn’t bother her and the family left it alone for several years. Eventually, they had it removed, but by that time, the pooch was so old, she didn’t live that much longer. So, tumor’s aren’t necessarily life threatening. Gumdrop lived happily with hers for a good many years.

But I’m glad Tigger’s is gone and that she’s going to be alright.

19

I think they were mine. :slight_smile:

20

Bitz the Wonder Mutt and myself both send our heartfelt congratulations that the prognois is so good. We’re both pulling for you and Tigger.