Weighing on my mind...

[Marty]

Winnie has had 2 bladder stone surgeries..guess you know that. She is being aggressively treated now for another UTI. Xrays were done for stones...none..but the Vet seemed to think her stomach had a pouch that could or could not be normal...as she said, Bassets are built funny, but she did say she wasn't sure it was a problem.

I have an option of repeating the xray to see if it still shows up, or taking her to Macon to a Vet who can do an utrasound...sonagram...(I am not a medical person, and apologize for not knowing).

I am leaning toward taking her to Macon...Gosh, I am mixed up.

Also, the Vet is young, but works with my regular Vet whom we have used for years...and she consults with him.....especially for Winnie!

[Traci]

Has she had full bloodwork done recently? Did your vet palpate anything unusual in the abdominal region or?

[davet]

i am not sure if Macon is where the Univ. of Ga vet school, ( my brother went there) but if it is not a big trip, it might be worthwhile and you would aliminate the middle man....

[Marty]

Yes, she just had bloodwork done last month, and no she couldn't feel anything.

Macon is not far, maybe 30-45 min to the office. I guess it's the price differential that has me in a quandry. If we opt for just the Xrays, which are cheaper, she still may need the ultrasound, or maybe she won't! Her last visit was really steep, and so was Java's, so we're breaking the bank! I just wanted to see what you might recommend...

UGA is in Athens...3 hours away.

[Traci]

If your regular vet is available, why not ask him? If he too, suspects anything unusual, then he could either suggest a new xray or or refer the ultrasound. Besides the UTI, are there any unusual or newly developing health issues or symptoms? If not, I guess you could consider the conservative route, but if you/your vet are concerned, then the ultrasound might not be a bad idea (especially if there are other health issues, new symptoms, or concerns about inflammation/mass, given her age).

[Marty]

I guess the best bet might be to go with the ultasound....God forbid it shows anything...well, we'll get through it somehow. I know age is creeping up on her.

Traci, she is in good health otherwise. On a low dose of thyroid meds...everuthing checks out well there. She is getting some lumps...most are fatty cysts and skin tags. There is one on her leg that I need to have exmined more fully. Things are getting ahead of me faster than I can deal with them. Her appetite is great...little piggy!

My Vet works and trains new Vets before they move on to start their own practice, or whatever they choose to do. Nothing is ever suggested or prescribed without him knowing and OKing it. He always pops his head in to say hello, but I am guessing he is letting her learn from Winnie. I'm OK with that....as long as I know he is having the OK for her care. Dang...I rerely see an old dog at the Vet"s, so education has to come from somewhere!

[k9Karen]

All I can add is that Angel had several bladder polyps that could not be seen on xray. Xrays are great for bones and solid masses, but do not do a good job of picking up soft tissue problems. The polyps Angel had were caught and removed before they became malignant. I was very hesitant about having the ultrasound done, and, to be honest, I initially thought the vet was just padding the bill. That is, until he showed me the picture of the polyps (they looked like little mushrooms) and was very concerned about them. Even after he performed the surgery, he said he had never seen anything like them before. I can't remember now, but I know there were at least a dozen that were cut out. She had to have about 1/2 of her bladder removed, but it doesn't take long for it to stretch back to normal.

Based on my experience, I'd opt for the ultrasound just to be safe. (And, BTW, a sonogram is the result of the ultrasound exam, and the terms are often used interchangably - that's probably why it confused you.)

[Marty]

Thanks Karen! That does make it sound like an ultrasound might be the way to go, even with the expense.

[Traci]

And if the vet palpated something or was concerned, your primary vet may have more experience...that is, if he palpated Winnie, he could probably say right away which procedure would be of most benefit, given his experience.

The multiple lumps may be concerning (not trying to scare you).....each one of them should be fully evaluated to ensure they are not something else. As you said, they may be nothing more than sebacious cysts, but in a senior dog and with any that appear on a limb, you want to be certain.