Tyler's treatment

[slvrwhispr]

So. Dad took Tyler into the vet early this morning. I wasn't there, so I don't quite have the full story, and there seem to be some holes that I'm not quite sure of what's going on.

Anyway, since Tyler hadn't eaten anything the entire previous day, the vet went ahead and did the surgery immediately. They removed a softball sized mass. Dad said it was just another fatty tumor, but I'm concerned about the rapid growth -- it popped up and grew so rapidly in less than 48 hours. Dad noticed a little bump on Friday night, and by Sunday morning it was the size of a softball.

Tyler was also experiencing a lot of gagging and vomiting before the surgery which has carried over afterward as well. The vet did x-ray (I think it was an x-ray; I don't remember clearly now) his neck and saw no tumors there, and when they intubated him for the surgery they didn't notice any obstruction of his airway or his esophagus.

The vet gave my dad something to give Tyler that was supposed to work sort of like a cough suppressant to ease the gagging, but Dad didn't know what it was called. There's no clear pathology for the gagging or the vomiting, and it's sort of a wait-and-see sort of deal.

We considered toxins, but there wasn't anything abnormal in his blood stream, and we couldn't find anything around the house or yard that he could have gotten into (all cleaning supplies are in cabinets above the washer and dryer, far above his reach).

I'm stumped. The vet doesn't seem extremely concerned at this point; he seems to think that with time, he'll heal and the gagging will go away since there doesn't seem to be any obvious cause for it. I guess... we'll just wait and see, unless anybody has any insight.

[davet]

did tyour dad say it was a fatty tumor or did the vet say that...might be a missenterpitation

[slvrwhispr]

Dad said that, but I asked for clarification and he said he was certain the vet said it was a fatty tumor. But, again, that is out of my dad's mouth and not the vet's. Does that sound off to you, that a fatty tumor could grow that fast? Tyler's had a history of these things, probably four of them now he's had removed.

[davet]

i would be surprised at a fatty tumor in the location that I think you said..it could be a lipoma of the omentum but even , to me, that would be unusual...can you get a better term

[davet]

Trac i: Have you ever seen an omental lipoma ???

[slvrwhispr]

If it helps, it was located right where his back leg meets his body, left leg, at the forward most part. Right in that fold where leg meets body, it would kind of squish out the front when he was standing up.

[Traci]

Did the vet send a sample off for a histopath? If he were concerned about the type of tissue at all, he knows it should be sent to an outside lab for confirmation.

Are any lymph nodes enlarged? Is there a possibility of an infected lymph node?

Most importantly, was any bloodwork done prior to surgery? Did the vet rule out GI bacterial infection, or lymph node infection? Do you know Tyler's hydration and electrolyte status before surgery was done?

I'm thinking, IF this was a fatty tumor, it could have been infected, like pus-filled, causing a bacterial infection that may be partially responsible for the vomiting, anorexia etc. An infected lipoma also can grow quite rapidly, since it is fulling with blood or pus, do you know if the vet commented on whether or not it was filled with blood or pus? If Tyler was dehydrated prior, this too would have caused nausea and vomiting. Food allergy or insensitivity is also possible, but sounds more like a GI tract issue (infection or inflammation). If a CBC had been done, inflammation or infection might have shown up on that.

Was an xray taken prior to surgery? This would have given the vet any indication there might be an inflammatory problem going on.

This may be a long shot, but I'd also rule out a pancreatic attack, or megaesophagus, or tracheal injury. Obviously, the vet could probably rule out tracheal injury via intubation, but that's not always the case. I'm assuming thyroid nodules were checked? Has he ever had his thyroid function tested?

Any more information you can provide would be helpful...but do be sure the vet did send out a histopath and that he is continuing to rule out other problems and addressing the gagging/vomiting agressively.

[Traci]

Davet, if omentum, that would then be cystic, right? I'm assuming this lump was subcutaneous?

[slvrwhispr]

The lump was definitely sub-q. Other than that... geez, I don't have answers to ANY of those questions. Neither does my dad, who just hung up on me after asking the 4398929814th question... LOL. "Have you had his thyroid function tested?" "... I gotta go. *click*"

Traci, next time he goes to the vet (which I believe is in a week for a check-up) I'm just going to take you with me, okay?

I'll post answers when/if I find them out. He's doing better, though. Not quite romping, but he's getting around okay, eating fine, going to the bathroom fine. I'm still amazed he pulled out of it; I've never seen an animal so sick before.

[Traci]

slvrwhisper, it's entirely possible the lipoma was infected, which could indeed cause the symptoms you described prior. Any time bacteria is present, this can affect total body system functions, and that very well could be why he appeared so sick. There could also be secondary problems going on too, (like thyroid going unchecked, etc), or arthritis, etc. You mentioned more than once that he has slowed down and not quick to move around, so he could be arthritic, the vet can address that with proper medication.

I'm really glad they took him in and opted for treatment. Just goes to show you should not assume the worst!