Just what I needed...

[ostarella]

Was brushing over my little Pomeranian this morning - she's one of those dogs who absolutely hates being groomed, so it's always a hit or miss type of thing. I get a few strokes and she either takes off or bites. Anyway, this morning I noticed a lump on her side, and she actually let me examine it. A little smaller than a penny in diameter, raised up just over a quarter inch, and a mottled red. So I'm thinking it's what they call a mast cell tumor. Which can be very serious. So that means a trip to the vet next week, to have it biopsied and see what it's going to cost to have it removed if necessary. And considering the cost of surgery... I may not be going on that cruise after all. :-(  All depends on whether or not my brother and son are willing to help pay for it (she's more the family dog than just mine, having been my mother's to begin with). She's 15, so I know the question will be raised (either by the vet or by my brother) as to whether or not it's worth putting her through the surgery (if it's even cancerous). It certainly doesn't seem to be bothering her at all - she's as active and alert as my 6-year-old terrier. Okay, she's a bit senile, but...

Crap.

Comments

[odonaill.livejournal.com]

My Mum has a terrier mix that's about the same age and her whole underbelly is full of cysts. The vet says they're not cancerous and nothing to worry about, so they left her be.
She seems to be fine.
Hopefully with your pup it's nothing serious and won't need any expensive treatment so you can kick back on the cruise :-)
BTW, ( *ducks* ), I've decided NOT to go. I can't afford it with the loonie dropping against the greenback :-(
Besides, Dirk may be coming here in Oct. '09 for a con, so I'd only have to drive a half hour to see him :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping it's nothing serious. Been doing some research and it seems that there should be other signs if it's spread inside, which she hasn't had. So hopefully it's just a benign tumor (my brother's dogs got them all the time, too).

I'm sorry you can't go on the cruise - I'm starting to have doubts about the feasibility of it for myself, as well. Not only with the dog - that's going to cost, no matter what we end up doing - but there are some things popping up around the house that may not wait, as well. I guess it all depends on how early I get called back to work, and how much overtime I can get. :-( If nothing else, though, I might go down for that convention before the cruise. And hey - maybe I'll pop up for that '09 convention, cruise or not. (Is that early enough warning for you? LOL)