Please don't let it be what I think it is...

[Giselle]

Ivy started bleeding today, and I found this growth on her:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/LSophie/jan31.jpg

I've never seen this before. I don't understand how I could have missed this, but it obviously sprang up VERY quickly.

I'm so scared. Does anybody have any idea? :(

[Karen]

Could be many things, an infected bug bite, some irritation from some other source, an ingrown hair that got infected ... anything. Don't worry too much, just get that baby to the vet. I hope it isn't sore!

[Kfamr]

Kiara has had this before where (I assume) she's bumped herself. It went away on it's own in a few days. Hope it's the same case for Ivy.

[dukedogsmom]

I do hope it's nothing serious. I know how worried you must be.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Could just be a cyst from an infected bite or scratch. A trip to the vets will ease your fears

[wolf_Q]

Nebo had a bump that looked exactly like that on his leg when he was about 4-5 months old. His appeared very quickly as well. I had it removed when he was neutered. It was non-cancerous, if I remember right it was some sort of cyst...somewhat common on young dogs, especially on the legs. Hope that is all it is for Ivy too!

[loveallfurryfriends]

Sending good vibes your way.

[chocolatepuppy]

Pawsitive thoughts headed Ivy's way. Hopefully it is not serious.

[caseysmom]

Sophie, I am not sure what you are afraid that is but she is way too young and I am sure it is not serious.

[ramanth]

Chipper had a bump like that on his leg recently. It ended up going away on it's own very quickly.

[Giselle]

Thanks for the advice, everybody. It doesn't look anything like the mast cell tumors I've seen so far, and I'm really glad to hear about everybody else's experiences with bumps like this. I'm really hoping it's some type of cyst or some other innocuous thing. We're watching it for a few days and if there's no improvement she's going to the vet.

I don't know why I was so scared. I've just seen so many greyhounds go down with osteosarcoma, so cancer just scares the cr@p out of me.

[finn's mom]

Every time I see one of these (seems like there's been at least two others on here besides myself that have posted photos of bumps like that), I think it looks just like what Finn had. A hystiocytoma (button tumor). Non cancerous and usually goes away easily and on it's own. I hope that's the case this time as well!

[K9soul]

How unnerving Sophie. I'm afraid after Raven I'm super paranoid about everything, but I do truly believe it looks like what Kari mentioned, a hystiocytoma. Look at the photo on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histiocytoma_(dog) It really looks like it doesn't it? I'd just do what you are doing, watch it closely. Raven's cancer changed FAST and grew daily. I think it will be quickly obvious if it seems like anything more ominous.

[Giselle]

Thank you, guys. Members on another forum also immediately suggested histiocytoma as well. I checked the growth today, and maybe I'm being naive, but it doesn't look nearly as rounded or 'swollen' as it did the days before. It sort of looks like it's shrinking around the edges, so we'll be giving it time to heal on its own. As soon as I see any growth, though, I'll be whisking her off to the vet.

Can you tell how RELIEVED I am?? :rolleyes:

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh no, Sophie, I'm just seeing this thread. Been busy the past few days.
I will hope it starts going away on it's own and our little Ivy will be just fine! :)

[shepgirl]

Maybe just a hematoma, especially if you think it's smaller. But I would definitely have it checked anyway.

[Giselle]

It doesn't look or feel like hematomas I've seen before, though. Plus, if I remember correctly, hematomas result from blood that pools from broken blood vessels, and I don't know that could happen on a bony little leg =P I could be wrong, though.

Anyways, it started bleeding again today. I'll be making an appointment with the vet as soon as they open on Monday. *sigh* All my fears are coming back...

[kallisto4529]

Positive thoughts and prayers for Ivy, any news yet???

[anna_66]

Have you gotten any new yet?

[Giselle]

The receptionists have been a little odd at the clinic. I called yesterday to ask about something, but then they told me to call back again today to make an appointment. I tried making one then, but he hung up on me...This was supposedly under normal business hours, too. :confused: Whatever; I'm guessing it was somebody new or somebody had a bad day.

I came home too late today, though, so I have to make an appointment tomorrow. The bump on her leg hasn't grown at all, if that's any consolation (it's not really).

[Pawsitive Thinking]

That's no way to treat people :mad:

I hope you manage to get an appointment soon - how is she in herself?

[Giselle]

This clinic is p!ssing me off. I called today to make an appointment. They told me they'll call me back tomorrow to set that up...What?! :mad: It's getting so ridiculous!

Ivy is being her crazy old self, and the bump is still itself, all red and angry looking. Even if it is a cyst, I think she scraped off the top layer of skin and it doesn't look pretty, so I want her to see the whitecoats soon!!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Poor Ivy. :( Is there another clinic you can take her to? This place doesn't sound like a place to trust anyway. I hope you get her in soon.

[bckrazy]

Oh no! Get better soon, Ivy... =,( poor girl. It does look exactly like a hystiocytoma, but it's a good idea to take her in just to be safe.

Sheesh. Those receptionists sound pretty lame. You should definitely tell your Vet! What if you had an emergency?

[Catlady711]

Two days in a row and you can't even get an appointment time?? I mean I could understand it if they didn't have anything available right away and had to schedule you for next week or something, but to not even let you make an appointment??? That doesn't make any sense!!

Honestly I'd be looking for another vet if it was me. I mean if that's how they're gonna be what will they do if you have an emergency or something?

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I think I'd be inclined to take her somewhere else - poor girl

[loveallfurryfriends]

I can't understand why you were not able to schedule an appt. Even if they were not able to see you that day, you should've been able to @ least schedule something. Find another vet if you can. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you and Ivy, sending good vibes too!!

[Giselle]

Ugh, the thing is that the vet himself is a very nice guy and very competent. The only problem is that they apparently won't allow you to make an appointment outside of their practice hours (which is, inconveniently, 9-5). So, if you call at 6 or even 5:30, they'll answer you but won't provide you with any service. Really, really frustrating.

Anyways, I did manage to squeeze her into a Saturday morning appointment, so we'll see how that goes!

[Catlady711]

If it's after hours I'm surprised they even have people answering the phone. Around here everyone has a machine that gives an outgoing message only of the hours of business and the number for the after hours ER place. Are you able to make a quick call during a lunch time or something that is during the business hours?

Glad to hear you got a Sat. appt anyways. Keep us posted to what they say.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Good luck with the appointment

[dukedogsmom]

I hope everything goes well. I didn't realize how lucky I am. My vet is an emergency 24hr one and there's someone there answering the phone at all times. Sorry you've had such an experience just trying to get an appointment.

[Giselle]

If it's after hours I'm surprised they even have people answering the phone.
As am I!

On a more sober note, I took Ivy to the park to let her burn off some energy. DUMB DUMB DUMB idea. She hit the bump on a branch or something, and it started bleeding again. Ughhhhh. I feel like crap :( I really hope that doesn't have any adverse affects.

[Taz_Zoee]

Just checking in to see how our little Ivy girl is doing. Not sure if you've been to the vet yet or not. I hope she is okay!! :)

[Taz_Zoee]

Hey Sophie, just wondering what happened at the vet this morning.
I know you are a busy girl, please check in when you can. :)

[Giselle]

We took her to the vet today. It's some type of cyst, but not a histiocytoma in the sense that it won't go away by itself. Sooooo, we have to make another appointment to surgically remove the cyst and she'll be fine :) It is in an area with little extra skin, so they'll probably have to keep her for two nights.

I'm not sure which will be more stressful - making the appointment or handing Ivy over for two nights :p

[K9karen]

I'm not sure which will be more stressful - making the appointment or handing Ivy over for two nights :p


I totally understand that! I'm just glad it's nothing serious and that Ivy will be as good as new. Hugs to all.

[Taz_Zoee]

OH, thank goodness it's nothing more serious. Although, I do think not having her home for TWO nights is serious (at least to me). But you like and trust your vet which is good. So you know she's in good hands. :)
Give her some hugs for me please (oh, and Giselle too:)).

[Catlady711]

Two nights for a cyst removal? I didn't think it looked that big in the pix.

Glad it turned out to only be a cyst and not any of the things you were worried about. It's always good to find out things aren't as bad as you feared. Hope the surgery goes just fine, everything heals good, and Ivy is back home with you again healthy and happy.

[Giselle]

They said possibly two nights because there's so little extra skin there. They said one night would probably do it, but I should be prepared for two nights just to ensure that she won't pop her sutures :)

[Catlady711]

They said possibly two nights because there's so little extra skin there. They said one night would probably do it, but I should be prepared for two nights just to ensure that she won't pop her sutures :)

Ah ok. I misread your post as the area having a little extra skin, not as having only a little skin. My mistake.

Yeah if they have to 'stretch' the skin to get it to close then keeping her an extra night is probably a very good idea.

I hope all goes well with her and keep us posted.

[chocolatepuppy]

Thank goodness, not too serious! Ivy will be all better in no time. It's very hard to leave them, but you'll both will make it through. :)

[wolf_Q]

I'm happy to hear that its nothing serious! It sounds like the same thing that Nebo had, his had to be surgically removed too. I would have a really hard time leaving my dogs for two nights...they've never even stayed overnight at a vet. :o Good luck to Ivy, and you too!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

She will soon be back home and as good as new :)

[Giselle]

Thanks, guys :)

We're dropping her off at the vet tomorrow morning. He said he's gotten a lot of emergencies lately so he may have to bump her surgery to Thursday, but he'll most likely get her done tomorrow. It's a little odd :confused: He's not a very formal person and the clinic practices aren't very "orthodox", but the quality of care is all I really care about.

ETA: I dropped Ivy off at the clinic this morning. She'll be staying overnight and we'll be picking her up tomorrow. It's so quiet at home =(

[bckrazy]

Is poor little Ivyyy alright, Sophie?

I'm glad it was benign, but it sucks that she had to go through surgery to get it removed. I hope she's feeling better!

[Giselle]

Hehe, poor little Ivy is being big, pain-in-the-rear Ivy :D

I think she's healing very quickly and it's getting all itchy because she keeps trying to lick it. She killed her e-collar and ripped off her bandages despite all the Yuk-2e gel I lathered onto her. Soooo, now she's completely nekkid and I'm just watching her =) I just want to get the sutures off her and go running!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Hehe, poor little Ivy is being big, pain-in-the-rear Ivy :D

I think she's healing very quickly and it's getting all itchy because she keeps trying to lick it. She killed her e-collar and ripped off her bandages despite all the Yuk-2e gel I lathered onto her. Soooo, now she's completely nekkid and I'm just watching her =) I just want to get the sutures off her and go running!


Yup! definitely on the mend :D