Our old dog Ness, who's living out her dottage with us, has a hard lump on the last rib on her right side. It's about 1.5 inches in diameter and not movable. We noticed it day before yesterday, but we're fairly certain it hasn't been there much longer than that.
We know that it's quite possible that it's some kind of sarcoma but are wondering if any of you have ideas of what else it might be. We're going to get her into the vet this week, but in the meantime, of course, we'd like to scour the Web to see what kind of information we can gather.
We don't really know how old she is, but probably 9 or 10 (maybe older). The lump is not at all painful and she's acting totally normal--eating, drinking, running around the same as usual. She just finished a round of metranidozole (7 days) and Panacur (3 days) for giardia, but otherwise, there's been nothing wrong with her.
Thanks in advance.
Hard lump on rib
Started by
Pippin's person
, Oct 04 2008 08:47 PM
16 replies to this topic
#1
Pippin's person
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Posted 04 October 2008 - 08:47 PM
Robin: One of the two people
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
#2
Genie
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Posted 04 October 2008 - 09:07 PM
At this point, there isn't enough info to do more than speculate wildly and that will probably only serve to worry you. Your vet can do a needle aspirate of it and send the sample out for analysis. That can often provide enough info on the type of growth to make a decision on what, if anything needs to be done for it.
Fingers crossed here, hoping its nothing serious.
Fingers crossed here, hoping its nothing serious.
#3
bc4ever
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Posted 04 October 2008 - 09:12 PM
I agree. The vet will probably biopsy it. We had a scare with Scooter a few years ago. Luckily, it turned out to be nothing. Waiting to hear is agony. 
Sending good thoughts your way. And be careful about trying to find out what it is on the Internet--you'll scare yourself silly. 
Sending good thoughts your way. And be careful about trying to find out what it is on the Internet--you'll scare yourself silly.
#4
Laurae
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Posted 04 October 2008 - 10:15 PM
I don't know what it could be, but I am hoping for the best for you guys and Ness.
Cheers,
Laura
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#5
bcnewe2
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Posted 04 October 2008 - 10:55 PM
Fatty lypomia (sp?)? That would be the best thing you could find.
My old dogs have them. Some are harder than others.
Good luck, keeping paws crossed that it's no big deal
Kristen
My old dogs have them. Some are harder than others.
Good luck, keeping paws crossed that it's no big deal
Kristen
Kristen
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
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You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
Dr. Seuss
#6
Pippin's person
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Posted 05 October 2008 - 08:00 PM
Thanks for the good wishes--we'll keep you posted on any discoveries at the vet and also keep our fingers crossed that it's something relatively minor. This girl seems to have had a pretty long time of living the low life that we'd very much like to let her have at least a few years living it high.
Robin: One of the two people
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
#7
Pippin's person
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Posted 07 October 2008 - 09:52 PM
Well, the news is as we worried. The lump is a sarcoma--basically it's wrapped around the rib and attached to the skin and not likely to be operable. So, we're going to keep watching it and using supportive nutritional care (going after free radicals). This is our first go-round with cancer, so we're definitely happy for any advice.
Robin: One of the two people
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
Renzo: First dog, resident non-BC
Pippin, Tansy, Hamish, Rafe, Kyzer, Lad and Zac: the BC crew
Fox, Lars, Milo and Xeno: Kitties
Good girl Ness went to the Bridge Dec. 1, 2008
The Crew
#8
tualizzy
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Posted 07 October 2008 - 10:01 PM
Oh I'm sorry.
I don't have any advice, as I have not been thru that with my dogs yet.
Just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you & Ness...sending you lots of positive vibes.
I don't have any advice, as I have not been thru that with my dogs yet.
Just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you & Ness...sending you lots of positive vibes.
#9
bcnewe2
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Posted 07 October 2008 - 10:32 PM
What a bummer. What are your options if any?
Keeping Ness in our doggy prayers
Kristen
Keeping Ness in our doggy prayers
Kristen
Kristen
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
Dr. Seuss
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
Dr. Seuss
#10
Laurae
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i'd rather be working my dogs...
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Posted 07 October 2008 - 11:34 PM
So sorry to hear this news.
Cheers,
Laura
Poetry in motion with Sophie, Taz, Meg, Ike, and puppy Gus!
And Craig waiting at the bridge.
See profiles of many top competitors from the 2011 National Sheepdog Finals in Carbondale, Colorado
My Flickr page
#11
PSmitty
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Posted 08 October 2008 - 05:08 AM
No experience here, but I'm sorry the news wasn't good. She'll be in my thoughts.
She'll be in my thoughts.
Paula
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Lilly, Jack, Alex & Will
#12
Sue R
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Posted 08 October 2008 - 05:10 AM
Very sorry to hear that the diagnosis is not a good one. Fortunately, Ness has you to take the best of care of her.
Very best wishes in dealing with this.
Very best wishes in dealing with this.
Sue Rayburn - Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult, but not the brightest firefly in the jar.
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Celt, Megan, and Dan
"When the chips are down, watch where you step."
"The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything." - author unknown
#13
Ceredwyn
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Posted 08 October 2008 - 07:27 PM
So sorry to hear this. If she's an older girl, I'd probably go with conservative treatment. If she isn't suffering, she doesn't know a thing's wrong. You'll know if it becomes time to do something. After watching my sis aggressively treat her aging rottie girl (leg amputation, chemo, radiation), I'm pretty sure I couldn't do that to my dog. Praying you have many more happy days with her.
Life may not be the party we hoped for,
But we can dance anyway!
But we can dance anyway!
#14
jvw
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Posted 09 October 2008 - 08:13 AM
Robin,
So sorry to hear about the news! Have you considered a consult at the onocology center at MSU? They are the ones that did wonders with Paddy.
All of you are in my thoughts.
Jennifer
So sorry to hear about the news! Have you considered a consult at the onocology center at MSU? They are the ones that did wonders with Paddy.
All of you are in my thoughts.
Jennifer
#15
Tip's Mum
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Posted 09 October 2008 - 03:51 PM
Oh, I'm really sorry the news wasn't better. What a blessing they don't know what we do. As with everyone else, we'll keep paws and fingers crossed that Ness will have plenty of good time left to enjoy. Sending positive mojo from down on the bayou...
Donna
#16
MaryP
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Posted 09 October 2008 - 04:06 PM
I'm sorry to hear this news. My only experience with cancer and dogs was very brief and many, many years ago (my first dog). I would second the suggestion to consult a vet oncologist, though. Meanwhile, we will keep paws crossed for you and Ness.
Mary, Milo, Charlie, Skittles, & Ollie
#17
sweet_ceana
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Posted 09 October 2008 - 04:36 PM
So sorry to hear the news. Fingers, toes and paws crossed here as well.
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Ceana, Poke, Sita & all of our fosters
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