Scheduled our dog for surgery

[radfringe]

our "going on 8-years" Airedale developed a humongous fatty tumor on her right front shoulder area

we spotted it about 2 weeks ago after returning from the groomers, where we had her shaved down -- quick visit to the vet confirmed that it was a fatty tumor

it's not painful, although it is a bit unsightly - however she seems a bit "hobbled" by it when she walks - so we decided to have it removed

surgery is scheduled for April 7, she'll have blood work done prior to the operation to make sure she can stand the surgry...

meanwhile..... question for DUers with similar situations

- any known treatment or suggestions to prevent more fatty tumors from developing?

[Quetzal]

1. Hope the operation goes alright

doesn't seem like something serious.

[radfringe]

2. not serious

but sometimes these fatty tumors develop into cancer

one of my parent's dogs had fatty tumors, small ones, and one or more developed into cancer or were a precursor to the eventual cancer

[Widgetsfriend]

3. Hi. I responded to your initial post, thinking it might be a....

lipoma. Three of our dogs have had these tumors. The first dog only had one; we had it removed. None recurred. The second dog, a golden retriever mix, had a few; doctors kept saying they were harmless and we didn't need to do anything about them. Eventually he was debilitated by them. They were pushing into the muscles of his rear legs and toward the end of his life, he could barely walk. I decided to be more aggressive if any of my other dogs developed them and now, our springer spaniel is getting them. So far, she's been in twice to have them removed. While she has them in several spots, I have decided to have any that are in troublesome spots removed. This past Friday she had two removed from her left front armpit, plus a cyst on her side (I just don't like cysts) and a big wart on the back of her head that the vet said could become quite large. I feel bad about putting her through this surgery, but after watching our beloved Shadow go through the agony he did, I have to put aside the squeamishness and do what is right. One thing to know; the site from which the cysts and limpomas have been removed may become quite swollen as the now empty cavities can become fluid-filled. It looks alarming but is actually normal and nothing to worry about. Your dog should be on a two-week round of antibiotics after the surgery, though. Good luck. I think if your dog's limpoma is large, it is absolutely the right thing to have it removed. Especially if already seems to be bothersome. Also, once dogs get these things, chances are good there will be more. Just be diligent about getting any possibly troublesome ones removed. Good luck. I'll be sending prayers.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. I'll be thinking of you and hoping it goes well. I don't know of anything

that will keep them from recurring. But I am sure someone will be able to help you out. Poor little thing!

:hug: Laura