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

[GreyhoundGirl]

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 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.

[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!!!

[GreyhoundGirl]

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!!!

Phew, that's a relief,

lymph nodes ?
Thanks everyone, for your help

[Dorothy39]

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

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