My dog has a lot of hair, so finding growths on him is extremely difficult. In ~May I found a round, soft, smooth, hairless lump on his left thigh. I've written down that it was 0.5cm in width, but the lump itself is mostly under the skin, so it doesn't protrude much and was/is difficult to measure and I may have been incorrect. The vet measured it yesterday and said it's 1.2cm. You can pinch the skin together beneath it, and you can pull the skin around with it, so it is not connected underneath to anything. We gave him Clavamax(?) for 2 weeks, and the bump is no longer red, but it's still there. It doesn't ooze, he doesn't lick or sniff it, he doesn't even recognize it's there when you touch it. As far as I know there are no other lumps on him. He has no other symptoms.
My regular vet thought it was a cyst, but I went to see someone filling in for her while she's away and they said to remove it immediately. The cost of the surgery is very high (I am now laid off and going to school full time, so I'm literally already withdrawn to the hilt), so I'm looking for a second opinion. I've attached a photo for reference. The photo was taken while it was still angry red, it is now normal skin colour.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/19793620@N00/14942242624/
Growth on thigh
Re: Growth on thigh
How old is your dog?
I would tend to agree with your primary vet that this is most likely a cyst (like a sebaceous cyst or fatty cyst/lipoma) although if this is an older dog who hasn't had bloodwork in some time or any xrays within the last few years, those are options you could choose before considering a biopsy. That said, it could also be a foreign body embedded or something else entirely.
Ask your primary vet what her opinion is on the other vet's comments. While it is true you generally want to biopsy something that is unusual or has evidence of growing or changing in size/shape/color/location etc, this may not be the case (i.e., sebaceous cyst in which generally they can be left alone if not bothersome). If the primary vet happens to have a change of opinion, maybe she could quote you a lower cost for a biopsy?
I would tend to agree with your primary vet that this is most likely a cyst (like a sebaceous cyst or fatty cyst/lipoma) although if this is an older dog who hasn't had bloodwork in some time or any xrays within the last few years, those are options you could choose before considering a biopsy. That said, it could also be a foreign body embedded or something else entirely.
Ask your primary vet what her opinion is on the other vet's comments. While it is true you generally want to biopsy something that is unusual or has evidence of growing or changing in size/shape/color/location etc, this may not be the case (i.e., sebaceous cyst in which generally they can be left alone if not bothersome). If the primary vet happens to have a change of opinion, maybe she could quote you a lower cost for a biopsy?
..........Traci
Re: Growth on thigh
He's 9 and had bloodwork done 2 years ago, but not since. No xrays ever. I'll talk to my primary vet on Monday, thank you for your guidance!Traci wrote:How old is your dog?
I would tend to agree with your primary vet that this is most likely a cyst (like a sebaceous cyst or fatty cyst/lipoma) although if this is an older dog who hasn't had bloodwork in some time or any xrays within the last few years, those are options you could choose before considering a biopsy. That said, it could also be a foreign body embedded or something else entirely.
Ask your primary vet what her opinion is on the other vet's comments. While it is true you generally want to biopsy something that is unusual or has evidence of growing or changing in size/shape/color/location etc, this may not be the case (i.e., sebaceous cyst in which generally they can be left alone if not bothersome). If the primary vet happens to have a change of opinion, maybe she could quote you a lower cost for a biopsy?
Re: Growth on thigh
I spoke with the vet just now and at first she quoted the surgery, but then when I said what about blood testing, etc. she stepped back with it. We're going to do a blood test and fine needle aspiration on the 30th and then go on from there. Thank you for your insight, it helped me to push back against $1,000 (!!!!) surgery!
Re: Growth on thigh
Hopefully, the FNA will only reveal a fatty deposit and nothing more, please keep us updated!
..........Traci
Re: Growth on thigh
After the last vet manhandled the lump, it's all but gone! I think it was a cyst afterall and it's drained. I'm so glad we didn't opt for surgery! Thanks again for your insightTraci wrote:Hopefully, the FNA will only reveal a fatty deposit and nothing more, please keep us updated!
Re: Growth on thigh
No, since the lump is gone and I had to leave town she said to just wait and watch it.Traci wrote:But, was an FNA done?
Re: Growth on thigh
Ok, but if it reoccurs, please opt for an FNA, best to play it safe.
Fatty cysts do sometimes drain, but if they do, some of them can be problematic if they get infected and may need removal. Most of the time, they are fine if left alone.
Fatty cysts do sometimes drain, but if they do, some of them can be problematic if they get infected and may need removal. Most of the time, they are fine if left alone.
..........Traci