trip to the vets - Updated Today ......post 25

[fav_is_tink]

Last Friday we took our 9 year old black lab Sam, , to the vets for his annual check up, booster & kennel cough jab.

When we were there we mentioned that we were concerned about two lumps that he has, one on his right side of his back and one on the left side of his chest.

In previous visits the vet [different one from whom we seen on Friday] has said that these are quite common but they are only fatty lumps, however they have grown quite significantly since the other vet last had a feel at them and I was getting more and more concerned.

We are so upset that the vet we saw on Friday [very nice young guy] said he'd be more likely to diagnose these, especially the one on his back, as tumours.
They want to get him in to aspirate the lumps, whatever they remove they will send off to the lab for analysis before then deciding what course of action to take.

Got to phone the pet insurance back tomorrow morning at 9am as they are closed for Bank Hol weekend but I'm ringing this morning when vets open to book wee Sam in to get this procedure done. The vet says they can sometimes tell straightaway when they look at what they remove during the aspiration however they'll still send it away.

I'm so worried about him, he's in fine fettle though, still his usual wee self. I had a good cry on Friday night but got to be positive, he's my baby. Just wanted to share this here as every time I talk about it I get teary eyed so easier to type speak than talk speak if you know what i mean ...........

 

[Ware Bears]

for you and Sam. Our first Sheltie suffered really badly with fatty lumps. Some she had removed, others the vets decided to leave. I remember when she had one lump removed from her chest and when we took her to have her stitches out a week later it had already grown back. The only one that ever bothered her was one by the base of her tail but that was removed successfully. I'm sure Sam's will be fine but it's best that they check them out.

Try not to worry too much easier said than done though, I know.

 

[jackieleanne]

Fingers crossed for both you and sam that everything goes ok.

 

[Netty]

hugs for you, I'm sure Sam will be fine, try not to worry

 

[mandymouse]

Hugs to you and your family. We had a golden Labrador (Sammie) and she had a few lumps too that never bothered her and the vet was happy to leave. I hope all goes well with the tests hun

 

[joolz1910]

We too had a Labrador and she was prone to these lumps/growths. They never bothered her and the vet was unconcerned. She lived to be 14. I hope Sam is OK.

 

[fav_is_tink]

Thanks everyone for the good wishes, Sam has his appointment for Friday to go into the vets to have this aspiration done. They will probably need to sedate him slightly they said as they need to shave him round the lumps then sterilise the area before doing the biopsy so nothing to eat after 6.30pm on Thursday and no water after 10pm Anyone who has experience of labs will know this is not going to be an easy task

 

[natalielongstaff]

hope sam is ok xx

 

[orlandothebeagle]

try not to worry, I am sure he will be fine.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Aww, best of luck to Sam.

 

[fav_is_tink]

Well after nothing to eat since 6pm last night and nothign to drink from 10pm me & DS dropped Sam off at the vets this morning at 8.30, he got himself into quite a state the soul.

They will sedate him and aspirate the tumours

I've to phone at 2pm to see what's happening........going to be a long morning...........

 

[tennisfan]

Hope Sam is ok

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Well after nothing to eat since 6pm last night and nothign to drink from 10pm me & DS dropped Sam off at the vets this morning at 8.30, he got himself into quite a state the soul.

They will sedate him and aspirate the tumours

I've to phone at 2pm to see what's happening........going to be a long morning...........

You dont know they are tumours!! try not to worry, probably fatty lumps.

 

[natalielongstaff]

poor sam xx

 

[fav_is_tink]

You dont know they are tumours!! try not to worry, probably fatty lumps.

The vet that we saw last Friday has said they are definetely tumours, the tests are only to confirm if they are benign or not......

Anyway I got a call at 1130 to say they'd managed to shave round the 'lumps' and aspirate without sedating him which is great....I could go straight in and collect him
They've also shaved a wee patch on his leg to take bloods so they can check liver & kidney function too.
He was a very happy boy when he got brought through so much so he widdled all over the waiting room floor
They have given me a phone appointment for 5pm [I'd have preferred a face to face consultation but hey ho got to go with procedures] They will definetely have to send it all away for citology reports which could take up to 10 days to come back but they will take a look themselves under the microscope this afternoon before they call back.
Will let you know what they say!

 

[Cinderella2006]

Hope everything goes ok

 

[Goofysmate]

hope eveything goes ok

 

[orlandothebeagle]

just thought about you guys, how is he doing?

 

[fav_is_tink]

Vet phoned us at 5.30 this evening.

The tumours are benign from 1st views under the microscope; the samples are being sent for further analyisis as expected.

However they have booked him in for surgery to remove both lumps on 17th May as they don't like 1. how fast they are growing and 2. the placement of them, especially the one on the front of his chest. They wanted him to go in next Thursday but as its my 40th birthday next Friday with my party on the Saturday and we know there is going to be a lot going on we thought it kinder to him to make it the Monday of the following week so he's allowed plenty of rest afterwards.

They are very confident that once removed all should be ok.

His blood tests for his glucose level & the liver & kidney function is exceptional for a dog of his age they said, he's 9. They said this is another reason not to delay surgery as he is a fit and healthy dog just now but who knows whats ahead if these tumours keep growing at the rate they are just now.

They feel he may need additional time in 'hospital' after the op because of where one of the tumours is situated as the have a feeling that it may require a drain in.

He'll need lots of and good aftercare [VETS words not mine we had a good laugh about that] - wound cleaning etc but that won't be a problem!

He's been in good form, we're just back from a walk, although he seemed to be taking things a bit slower this evening, but after such a stressful day for him especially having 3 nasty big needles stuck into you I'm sure we'd all feel the same.

I feel better tonight, going to have a nice cold glass of rose in the bath now cause I feel exhausted.

 

[wilma-bride]

Glad to hear that, overall, it's better news than expected. Hope his op goes well and he makes a full recovery