Gina:
My vet was not really saying one way or the other,
but he did say cancer that appears in this fashion is "VERY RARE" in young
dogs. I have a strong gut feeling about things and when we took Bud to his
first vet and diagnosed it as arthritis I knew in my gut it was cancer but
refused to accept it, until the vet(our current vet) very gently confirmed it
was osteosarcoma. I just have that underlying fear of loosing another to
that drasted C word. This time my strong gut feeling is he will be fine
and it is not cancer.
This vet said it could be exactly what you
said, a grass seed, piece of stick (stick dog you know), he just would not rule
out the C word. He is the best vet and I am glad to have him. He
really knows animals and has a real talent that cannot be measured.
Hunter is feeling really well, other than he needs
to allow a little bit more room going through a door or walking around a corner,
he is finding it a challenge to be sneaky at counter surfing since the collar
hits the edge of the cabinets and gives him away every time. He really
wants to play fetch but gets upset that we are only throwing it about 8 feet
away. Launch it baby!!!! He is not happy unless it is at least 50-60
feet out there!! Hmm who does that sound like????
Thanks for helping with this matter, now I am
waiting for the impending coat blow due to the anesthesia.
Yippee!!
Carol
P.S. Did I tell you how much he weighs????
59.6lbs!!!! He is not fat, you can feel all of his ribs. He is a big
boy if he stands on his hind legs he can almost put his front feet on my
shoulders. I am only 5'3" though.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 7:00
AM
Subject: Re: Craet-Hunter's lump
At 06:40 PM 11/8/00 -0800, you wrote:
Hunter had surgery today on a lump on his neck,
this is the perfect time for him to be in his crate.
Carol,
I remember you telling me (sort of my
mind has not been clear for months due to Rocky) that Hunter had a lump and
didn't we think it was from rooting in the yard or possibly an imbedded grass
seed? Or was it just that I suggested such? See the fog in my
mind???
Anyway, I know your concerned as I am too! But I
would not worry bunches. There are many little things this could
be. For instance a grass seed or some other foreign material could be at
the root in capsulated causing the lump. A swollen salivary gland is as
well a possibility as well as a clogged oil gland, or a histo sistoma
<sp>. All of which are just things that happen, things that
are not any thing to worry about beyond oh crud and the wallet.
I think your thoughts are on cancer, did the vet say he thought the
tissue was in any way suspicious? Did he give you any reason for alarm
or did he say let's biopsy just to be on the safe side? Most vet's these
days do like to send off tissue removed even if they can positively identify
the cells. Vet medicine is getting really good and our pet's are being
treated like humans more and more. I applaud this care in vet medicine
and respect the vet's who do go the extra mile looking. You're vet as we
have discussed is a very concerned individual who keeps his education up and
has some very progressive idea's. A good vet!
Just
for what it's worth and an attempt to make you feel better and be able to wait
for the biopsy with more ease, not trying to minimize your concern at
all: Hunter is only 7 months old and the chances that he has some form
of cancer are extremely rare. I am willing to bet that this is simply a
"shit happens thing". Please call your vet and tell him again how
alarmed you are and ask him for a better explanation. As well usually
with in 24 hours of sending off for a biopsy a preliminary report of cell
findings is avail to the vet. Perhaps you can get a preliminary answer
now and report back to us please.
Of course we all send our best
thoughts out to you and Hunter, we always do that mushrooming eating bird
crazy boy! I am so glad he likes his crate!
Gina
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