Chewy has a small lump

[bustermom]

Hi Chewy!

Buster here - my mom says that you're going to the doc to have a bump looked at. I just wanted to let you know that I still have stitches from a biopsy that was done last week on my leg so I know how you feel. Mom says the doc called to say the bump is nothing to worry about and then she gave me some peanut butter!! I hope you get peanut butter too!! Hang on, there's some peanut butter left on my nose - I'll wipe it on the monitor so you can smell it while you read this. *smear smear smear smear*

 

[bustermom]

Re: bumps why remove

Originally posted by CharlieLima
why does everyone feel that need to remove the bump? Am I taking too much of a risk with my pride and joy? But remember, the vet told me it was nothing? Are they just trying to make money?

Personally, I think the best thing to do is have a biopsy done of anything suspicious. This usually doesn't involve a vet stay, and is done with a local anesthetic. Then, based on the results of the biopsy, you can decide whether or not to remove the lump.

If it's one of your dog's first bumps, or if you as an owner don't have a lot of experience identifying the various flavors of bumps and lumps, then a vet visit is a good idea. If the vet is confident that it's nothing to worry about, then I prolly wouldn't worry either, esp. since I trust my vet. He's seen a lot more bumps than I have and is better able to identify them as dangerous/non-dangerous. But if he's not sure, or you're not comfortable taking the wait and see approach, then a biopsy is the next logical step.

You just have to be a little more careful with Boxers, given their predisposition towards tumors and cancers. And if your boxer has ever had a lump come back as cancerous, then it's a wise idea to get all future lumps biopsied.

 

[Chewy's Mom]

*lick lick lick lick* Thanks for the peanut butter, Buster. It's my favorite thing in the whole world. -Chewy

Bustermom, well said about getting bumps and lumps biopsied and/or removed. Chewy has never had a bump like this, and I don't know a dangerous one from a harmless one. He didn't exactly come from a reputable breeder (shhh, Chewy doesn't know that), so I'm always worried about his health. It's more than likely nothing, but I'm not taking any chances.

 

[Pogo]

I was watching a thing on Animal Planet and this dog has a lump the size of a bb on his hip. And it hurts me to say this but that dog of the cancerous infection. Get it looked at immediately! Your precious chewy is in danger

 

[Roxanna]

Elmo had a lump removed and the doctor said that he sees boxers with them all the time. He only charged me $25.00 for the removal. Now the lump is gone but he has a scar and bald spot.

It could very well be harmless but I know what you mean about the "every bump/lump gets checked out" policy. I'm the same way.

 

[avts1977]

We had Cheyenne's last lump aspirated (not sure if this is the same as a biopsy or if they are different - there was no anesthesia used, though).

The vet pretty much stuck a needle in the lump and tried to get some of the fluid out. Then she looked at it under a microscope. I had Cheyenne's lump and a lump on Winston done at the same time.

She said Winston's didn't look strange at all, but in one of the slides of Cheyenne's, there were two cells that had two nuclei (so it was in the process of dividing). She said it was rare to see one cell dividing, so the fact that she saw two caused her some concern, so we went ahead and had it removed.

But it was very inexpensive and it took about a half hour to do them both. Well . . . add a little more time in for that since Winston was bouncing around and it was hard to get fluid out of the lump! :rolleyes:

I just think it's better to be safe than sorry later. And it's not expensive to have her come in and check. I know it turned out to be benign, but I afraid that it'll be the one that I DIDN'T check that will turn out to be cancerous.

 

[Roxanna]

Monique,

What did the Vet say? Did Chewy have an appointment for today? I hope everything is okay. Still sending those vibes out:
~.~.~.~.~

 

[adeinert]

Monique,
I would do the same thing and get it checked out. It is also my policy to know about every bump on my boxer. Like my vet says, they call cancer - boxer lumps because our breed is known for it. Jilly had a lump removed when she was less than two. In fact, it showed up last year right after her first birthday, Jagger was loosing a battle to cancer of the lungs and bones and Jilly was put off for a few weeks. Turns out Jilly's lump was a common, non-cancerous lump and I am so happy it is off and I found out.
You can be relieved when you find out too. I hear a lot of boxers get mast cells tumors that can be removed and not spread.
Can't wait to read your good news. Mine also have unknown pasts and I want to do whatever necessary to keep them in top health.
Best wishes, Ashlie, Jillian, Tulley, and Lily

 

[jaimie]

My girls have had bumps removed and aspirated, they have turned out negative but any new ones we find we get them checked out! Brit had a bunch on her gums, my old vet said it had abnormal cells in it, well they wanted $600 and change to take it out, I got a second opinion and my new vet did it for $120! And it wasn't cancer, but she had an infection in her gums which were causing her to have hypertrophic gums and stinky breath (yep-when doesn't she have that). It also moved her teeth around so she needed to have the lumps removed anyway and have medicine applied 2x's a day to her gums. They have come back, the vet already looked at them and they look fine, so we just get them checked when she goes in to make sure. Baylee had a huge lump removed from her paw that had "suspicious" cells in it (she had it for 2 years and we kept an eye on it but it started growing and we decided to get it taken care of at our new vets. That was also negative, thank goodness it was a fiberous tumor wrapped around her muscles and stuff in her paw. The way I look at it, why not get it looked at if it ends up being cancer the chances of you catching it early and getting it taken care of are pretty good! (when you find it and have it checked right away). My vet is very good about going over my girls bodies looking for new lumps etc.. since Boxers are more prone to cancers than a lot of other dogs. Monique-Brit and Bay send lots of slobbery kisses and drooly bubbles to Chewy. OK, Stella too! :D

 

[DixieDiana]

Hi there!

Been thinking about Chewy and wondered if you found out anything from the Vet.
I sure hope everything is alright.
You and Chewy are in my thoughts and prayers!!

Please keep us posted!