Help, I am so worried about my girl.....:(

You have a 4 yr old Greyhound that you have recently noticed has a firm hard mass, which doesn't seem to be connected to underlying tissue. Although later you post a picture and note there are multiple lumps. The dog has been losing weight which the Vet wasn't able to diagnose. Loss of weight is common with cancer. The dog has a good appetite and high energy level, where low energy levels usually are associated with cancer. Thus mixed physical signals: Loss of weight bad, high energy good.

Since the mass is hard and not spongy it's not likely to be a fatty tumor. It could be a possible cyst depending on how long it had been there before noticed. It could be a sarcoma such as Hemangiopericytoma- slow to spread but will eventually. The only way you will know for sure is to get the dog to a Vet and have the Vet send off needle aspirates for all the lumps to a pathology lab. If it's something like Hemangiopericytoma then surgery will be required to remove it. If it turns out to be a cyst(s) then it may be as simple as aspirating them, and then treating with antibiotics, or surgical removal. If a fatty tumor then unless it impeads the motion of the dog, they are left alone.

Given your Vet charges an outlandish amount for visits, you might want to ask your local ASPCA if there is a Vet that would charge a more reasonable rate.

Dogs do not get cancer by running into things. They get injured.

A dog can get cancer at any age. I've heard of Lymphoma cases for 1 yr old dogs.

Get the needle aspirates performed, and determine the nature of the tumors.

I just noticed the picture you posted of your dog, Jenny.


I looked pretty close but could not see the 3 bumps you have indentified.

Since Jenny's Vet charges outragious fees, I'd call other Vets. in your area and inquire what is to be expected for their examination in terms of costs.


But would heed the advice given above because wishing won't make these bumps go away. Compare costs and find out whether they provide a payment plan. I would think that your parents would help out, so long as they know you will pay them back when you can.

Hugs to You and Your Jenny ;)

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Originally Posted by dragondawg

You have a 4 yr old Greyhound that you have recently noticed has a firm hard mass, which doesn't seem to be connected to underlying tissue. Although later you post a picture and note there are multiple lumps. The dog has been losing weight which the Vet wasn't able to diagnose. Loss of weight is common with cancer. The dog has a good appetite and high energy level, where low energy levels usually are associated with cancer. Thus mixed physical signals: Loss of weight bad, high energy good.

Since the mass is hard and not spongy it's not likely to be a fatty tumor. It could be a possible cyst depending on how long it had been there before noticed. It could be a sarcoma such as Hemangiopericytoma- slow to spread but will eventually. The only way you will know for sure is to get the dog to a Vet and have the Vet send off needle aspirates for all the lumps to a pathology lab. If it's something like Hemangiopericytoma then surgery will be required to remove it. If it turns out to be a cyst(s) then it may be as simple as aspirating them, and then treating with antibiotics, or surgical removal. If a fatty tumor then unless it impeads the motion of the dog, they are left alone.

Given your Vet charges an outlandish amount for visits, you might want to ask your local ASPCA if there is a Vet that would charge a more reasonable rate.

Dogs do not get cancer by running into things. They get injured.

A dog can get cancer at any age. I've heard of Lymphoma cases for 1 yr old dogs.

Get the needle aspirates performed, and determine the nature of the tumors.

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I pointed out the lumps so you would know which lumps were her bones that were always there and which was the " unidentified bump". She is very skinny and I thought some people might be confused with all the bumps, but the middle one is the only bad one. The others are her first rib and her shoulder bone.

P.S. Did you think Jennifer ran into something? I don't think she has.

Okay greyhoundGirl, I just took another look at that picture of Jenny and I did see the lump that you identified.


Like dragondawg noted, high energy levels and a good appetite are not associated with cancer .so, if your Jenny is eating well and has maintained her usual vigor, I would not jump to conclusions.


I "would" have that lump aspirated, if possible. Check( yourself) the lymph nodes located on either side of her throat. Do you feel any "raised" tissue? On the back of her legs, where other lymph nodes are, between her knee joint and her hip as well. Press firmly but not real hard , rotating around , up and down, in these areas. (That is where I found more lumps on my dog. )

All of us worry about the big "C" word, okay? BUT, not every lump is cancer .

Just remember that , okay?

You are a very responsible pet owner, and I'd bet the farm , a great person as well.
The bottom line here is, you have to make a decision as to where you will have her examined by a Vet, and , how you will pay for it.

Have Jenny seen by a Vet.

And, remember what MajesticCollies said, If you are told it is cancer, GET A SECOND OPINION!!!! So right!!!!


Stay tuned to Pet Talk as well Honey!!! and --- Keep Your Chin Up!!!!! ;)


90% of the things we worry about happening, never happen!!!


Hugs to You and Jenny!!!

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Originally Posted by Dorothy39

Okay greyhoundGirl, I just took another look at that picture of Jenny and I did see the lump that you identified.


Like dragondawg noted, high energy levels and a good appetite are not associated with cancer .so, if your Jenny is eating well and has maintained her usual vigor, I would not jump to conclusions.


I "would" have that lump aspirated, if possible. Check( yourself) the lymph nodes located on either side of her throat. Do you feel any "raised" tissue? On the back of her legs, where other lymph nodes are, between her knee joint and her hip as well. Press firmly but not real hard , rotating around , up and down, in these areas. (That is where I found more lumps on my dog. )

All of us worry about the big "C" word, okay? BUT, not every lump is cancer .

Just remember that , okay?

You are a very responsible pet owner, and I'd bet the farm , a great person as well.
The bottom line here is, you have to make a decision as to where you will have her examined by a Vet, and , how you will pay for it.

Have Jenny seen by a Vet.

And, remember what MajesticCollies said, If you are told it is cancer, GET A SECOND OPINION!!!! So right!!!!


Stay tuned to Pet Talk as well Honey!!! and --- Keep Your Chin Up!!!!! ;)


90% of the things we worry about happening, never happen!!!


Hugs to You and Jenny!!!

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Phew, that's a relief, :)

lymph nodes ? :confused:
Thanks everyone, for your help

http:// http://www.irishwolfhounds.org/immune.htm,

This site explains the canine lymphatic system--I know Jenny is greyhound/whippet mix

Thanks

I think it's getting smaller. :) I noticed it wasn't stopping the brush as much today.

:confused: What would get smaller by itself. Cancer wouldn't. Would cists?

Greyhoundgirl, I don't know.

Jenny may have simply had a reaction to a "bite" ( insect, ? bee?) :confused:

As far as cysts, no, I don't think a cyst, left un detected/treated, would go away on its own. But, I have no experience with cysts on dogs either.

Cancer? Again, a NO, lumps and bumps that are cancerous will grow, and , spread .

I am wondering about this "bump" on your Jenny!!!!

I am glad that you have noticed it is smaller! ;)

I'm really :confused: . None of my dogs have had this sort of things before. ( Phew ! ) It's an odd-ball. I'm pretty sure it IS smaller, though.... :)

Does anyone else have any ideas as to what it might be?

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Originally Posted by GreyhoundGirl

Does anyone else have any ideas as to what it might be?

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The only way to know for sure is to have a vet examine it. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a vet who is more affordable than your current one. I would take her to the vet.

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Originally Posted by GreyhoundGirl

:confused: What would get smaller by itself. Cancer wouldn't. Would cists?

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Mast cell cancer would. The hallmark of a mast cell tumor is that it changes size regularly. My Paxil has had mast cell cancer twice. The first tumor would go from the size of my fist to a the size of my thumb in the course of a day or two. The second time she had two tumors, much smaller ones, but they grew rapidly, especially once they were touched. The tumors were removed and Paxil is fine now.

The only way to know for sure is to get her to a vet and get a biopsy done asap. If it is cancer or something serious, the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to treat successfully.

I don't think it's growing and shrinking THAT fast.

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Originally Posted by GreyhoundGirl

I don't think it's growing and shrinking THAT fast.

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Doesn't matter. Paxil's tumors would stay the same size for long periods of time. Then they would grow like crazy and shrink again. They were still cancerous and life-threatening. Mast cell tumors can respond to stress and being touched. If I had left them longer, they would have gone from just under to her skin to invading her internal organs. She would no longer be with me. She got proper treatment and is thriving.

Regardless, your dog needs to see a vet. You aren't going to get an answer posting on the internet. A real, live, trained vet needs to see her and the sooner the better.

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Originally Posted by Glacier

Doesn't matter. Paxil's tumors would stay the same size for long periods of time. Then they would grow like crazy and shrink again. They were still cancerous and life-threatening. Mast cell tumors can respond to stress and being touched. If I had left them longer, they would have gone from just under to her skin to invading her internal organs. She would no longer be with me. She got proper treatment and is thriving.

Regardless, your dog needs to see a vet. You aren't going to get an answer posting on the internet. A real, live, trained vet needs to see her and the sooner the better.

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I know...... :o I've gotta see a vet. But I thought that if it were getting smaller, that it might be getting better. ( what's wrong with hopeful thinking ?! )

Does ( the part I bolded ) mean that it would be touch-sensitive? Because she'll let me touch it, pull it, squish it and try and examine it at length.