lizmo1221
Senior Member
I discovered a small lump on my dear Virgo this evening just as I was going to bed. I couldn't sleep so I decided to post on here and ask all the questions running through my head. I plan to call in the morning to hopefully get an appointment with the vet for Tues evening or Weds morning (I work all day Tuesday). I have only been to this vet once before (Dr. Renee Fleming, Guelph Animal Hospital), and it was for a simple URI. Since this is my first experience with lumps, and I am not sure of her knowledge of them, I have a few questions to ask here before going.
First, a little info. Virgo, my PEW, is about 25 months old, and never had any issues before this except for an ear infection over a year ago and a tail injury 10 months ago. For the tail injury she had an amputation of 4 vertebrae and handled the anesthesia well. I got her at about a year old, so I do not know her history before this (except that she's a tilty). She has a very good immune system, as her cagemates have gotten mites and URI's and she didn't exhibit any symptoms at all. The lump is on her left side, just under the second nipple from the bottom. It is figure 8 shaped (like its two lumps, or one lump pinched in the middle), and about the size of a pencil eraser. I have never felt lumps before, but it seems pretty hard, and is free moving. There is no marks or scabs around it. It does not seem to cause her pain when I touch/squeeze it, and she is just as active and content as ever, except for the normal slowing down associated with aging (she is bruxxing in my lap right now). This lump was not there two weeks ago when I checked her.
1) Has anyone gone to this vet specifically (or this vet office in general) for this sort of thing? If so, what are your experiences?
2) Does this sound like a mammary tumour to you guys? What are the other possibilities?
3) Should I push for/allow them to do diagnostic testing (biopsies, xrays, ultrasounds, etc) or just get a removal done? Is diagnostics worth the extra money, or will it just tell them what they already pretty much know. Will they actually affect the outcome?
4) This office does laser surgery, which has all kinds of benefits according to them, but also costs a lot extra (they would have charged me 400 plus tax for a spay!). What are people's opinions on this technique?
5) How long is surgery recovery time and how long can this wait? I leave on a trip to Newfoundland in less than three weeks (back on August 8th), and if surgery can't be done right away and/or the recovery is too long, can I leave it for a month and get it all done when I get back?
6) What are the risks of a tumour in this location, with regard to important organs or structures in the area?
7) Is there anything else that I need to know/should ask the vet when I go?
I should try to get some sleep, I work at 9am, but any and all advice and opinions are appreciated. Thanks guys.
First, a little info. Virgo, my PEW, is about 25 months old, and never had any issues before this except for an ear infection over a year ago and a tail injury 10 months ago. For the tail injury she had an amputation of 4 vertebrae and handled the anesthesia well. I got her at about a year old, so I do not know her history before this (except that she's a tilty). She has a very good immune system, as her cagemates have gotten mites and URI's and she didn't exhibit any symptoms at all. The lump is on her left side, just under the second nipple from the bottom. It is figure 8 shaped (like its two lumps, or one lump pinched in the middle), and about the size of a pencil eraser. I have never felt lumps before, but it seems pretty hard, and is free moving. There is no marks or scabs around it. It does not seem to cause her pain when I touch/squeeze it, and she is just as active and content as ever, except for the normal slowing down associated with aging (she is bruxxing in my lap right now). This lump was not there two weeks ago when I checked her.
1) Has anyone gone to this vet specifically (or this vet office in general) for this sort of thing? If so, what are your experiences?
2) Does this sound like a mammary tumour to you guys? What are the other possibilities?
3) Should I push for/allow them to do diagnostic testing (biopsies, xrays, ultrasounds, etc) or just get a removal done? Is diagnostics worth the extra money, or will it just tell them what they already pretty much know. Will they actually affect the outcome?
4) This office does laser surgery, which has all kinds of benefits according to them, but also costs a lot extra (they would have charged me 400 plus tax for a spay!). What are people's opinions on this technique?
5) How long is surgery recovery time and how long can this wait? I leave on a trip to Newfoundland in less than three weeks (back on August 8th), and if surgery can't be done right away and/or the recovery is too long, can I leave it for a month and get it all done when I get back?
6) What are the risks of a tumour in this location, with regard to important organs or structures in the area?
7) Is there anything else that I need to know/should ask the vet when I go?
I should try to get some sleep, I work at 9am, but any and all advice and opinions are appreciated. Thanks guys.