Large Benign Tumor

[pbarring]

Hello, my female Basenji named Zia, aged 12, has a very large fatty tumor on her side. Who else has experienced this large tumor (about the size of a small melon) and if so, has anyone had the tumor successfully removed? I have one vet who would be willing to remove the tumor if her health permits and another vet who would prefer to leave it alone since it doesn't seem to be too bothersome. This dog also has the canine version of Cushing's disease which makes the surgery even more "iffy."

[etzbseder]

My parents old husky had something similar, but she was 16 and overweight , so the final decision was to put her to sleep. Basenjis usually live longer than huskies, so if she's otherwise healthy, I would definitely see what a couple vets say.

[snorky998]

Oh my, that's much larger than I have dealt with. Seems to me your vet has the best interest of the dog (health issues) well in hand, though that seems awfully large for a fatty tumor.

The small fatty tumors I have dealt with (dime size) have always been left alone unless they grow or are in an area that causes possible irritation.

Good luck with this. Keep us posted. Best wishes and Basenji hugs and rooo's sent your way.

[nala121498]

I personally don't have experience, but my neighbor's 12 yo Lab had his removed. It had been there (actually several) for years, but the largest turned black and he (gulp) ate it! Apparently it was showing signs of necrosis (??dying tissue??)…in any event, it was removed and he's doing really well.
((Hugs)) and I'll keep you in my thoughts. Keep us posted.

[Quercus]

@nala121498:

I personally don't have experience, but my neighbor's 12 yo Lab had his removed. It had been there (actually several) for years, but the largest turned black and he (gulp) ate it! Apparently it was showing signs of necrosis (??dying tissue??)…in any event, it was removed and he's doing really well.
((Hugs)) and I'll keep you in my thoughts. Keep us posted.

Oh dear…why did I have to be eating my breakfast when I read that?

[Quercus]

I, also, have never experienced a fatty tumor that big. My older dog has several, but they range from pea sized to grape sized. I guess you have to evaluate whether or not the tumor is interfering with her general enjoyment of life. If she seems uncomfortable, or irritated by it, I would probably have it removed. But if it isn't threatening her health, it sounds like a personal choice for you.

[nala121498]

@Quercus:

Oh dear…why did I have to be eating my breakfast when I read that?

Sorry (insert blushing smiley)! I hadn't thought of that!

[Quercus]

@nala121498:

Sorry (insert blushing smiley)! I hadn't thought of that!

I was just kidding….I gotta really strong stomach

[BDawg]

I have two dogs. One is almost 8 and has no lumps. The other is a rescue- we don't know his true age. The vet says 4… I say 9. I think he's older than Lexi. He is COVERED in lumps. I swear I find a new one every day. Makes me really sad. When we took him into the vet for the inspection the option we were given was to have them each biopsied. Each spot cost $150. So we only had the biggest one done. It came back as just a fatty cyst. Our vet said there'd be no way to tell if it was cancerous unless we did each one... but he said chances are they are all the same. Most of his lumps are squishy and roll around under the skin; however, he has a few- especially on his chest that are not as malleable. I think those are the ones you have to be concerned with... that and if any of them grow very quickly. Miles's lumps are rather stable in size, but he is literally covered with them. They are on his sides, under his arms, on his thighs, and down his belly. My concern is that if we see this many on the outside... how many are on the inside? And at some point (if they are on the inside), will they start to interupt his body's natural ability to function? I tear up just thinking about this.

Our vet (mind you, who thinks he's 4) said he would NOT do surgery unless the lump was causing trouble. If the one under his arm pit gets bigger and started to hinder his movement, we would consider having it removed.

The size range for his lumps, however, are much smaller than a melon. They are from the size of a pea to about the size of a kumkwat. Most of them are about the size of a marble.

How long has your dog had the lump? Is it just one or are there more? Does it bother her? Does she try to scratch or bite it? Does it hinder her movement? Do you have any pics to share? Is the lump hard or soft? I hope you can find some help for her. Poor thing. Hugs...

[sharronhurlbut]

If its not cancer, is there anyway they can suck some of the "stuff" out of it without cutting it out?
don't know, but that seems less of a trama to the dog then cutting, if they can do it

[bellabasenji]

@sharronhurlbut:

If its not cancer, is there anyway they can suck some of the "stuff" out of it without cutting it out?
don't know, but that seems less of a trama to the dog then cutting, if they can do it

I don't know about dogs, but they tried that on a couple of my own cysts… Unfortunately they could not get any fluid out of either (mind you, neither were "fixed"). The doctors thought for sure they would be fluid filled, but they were definitely wrong! Ends up they surgically removed them after all. IMO you might let them try it on one or two, but if that doesn't work... consider surgical removal, only if they are bothersome. I am just speaking from personal experience, of course... not dog knowledge. The poking and prodding involved can be quite uncomfortable and half the time it is unsuccessful. BTW my cysts were not cancer, thank God! They are benign fibroid breast tumors, but it is scary when you find one and I know it would scare me if I found one on Bella... Please keep us posted about your little one.

[sharronhurlbut]

Thanks Lisa, I was just offering an opinion.
Hope all is good with you and good with this dog as well.

[bellabasenji]

@sharronhurlbut:

Thanks Lisa, I was just offering an opinion.
Hope all is good with you and good with this dog as well.

I know, Sharon, it is actually a good idea. But I felt compelled to share my story… It is hard not to think of it as if I am in the dog's position. The fortunate thing for this Basenji is that the tumor is more externally located than mine were. So maybe the procedure would not be as uncomfortable as mine (also with the cushings, it might be safer to needle biopsy the fluid - if possible).

[bellabasenji]

I like you Sharron, you make me consider all sides and possibilities of a situation. Kudos on getting a stubborn gal to think a little harder!!!:D

[wizard]

My first basenji had small fatty cysts and the vet said to leave them alone unless they were causing problems. So I would follow your vets advice (I know it looks awful to have to many but she is on the older side).

[JodyS]

My dog developed a fatty tumor in 11/2003. I was referred my my vet to the U of F vet school. It was located on her right back leg. It was as big as your dog's. They removed what they could. However because it was in her leg muscle they could not get it all. This left the possibility of it returning, which it did. It's now as big as before. Currently were (vet and I) are just watching it. It has not hindered her functioning.

[tanza]

One of the main things they looks for on fatty tumors is "is it connected"… or can you get your fingers around it... meaning it is not attached to anything.... usually when not attached to anything they are OK... just very "unsightly"....