bleeding lump on neck - YorkieTalk.com Forums

barneysmommmy · 07-02-2013, 11:14 AM

6 year old Anna went to the vet today to have a lump removed from her neck. She had the lump when we got her in May. I assumed it was some sort of bite. She had to be shaved down due to a flea infestation. Her skin is not in the best condition. She has dandruff and itches a lot for no apparent reason. She was put on an antihistamine 3 weeks ago for the itching problem. The vet looked at her bump but didn't comment at that time. It seemed to be getting a little smaller and then got big again this weekend and it started bleeding. I took her back to the vet yesterday. He said it was a tumor and would not heal on its own so he is removing it today. He also said he felt a few other tumors under her skin. He told me not to worry because it was noncancerous. However, I am still concerned. How does he know that they are not cancerous? I go in to pick her up at 3. Should I ask him to do a biopsy? He is a wonderful vet and I do not want to undermine his opinion but I am worried that he might be wrong.

chachi · 07-02-2013, 11:21 AM

Try not to worry about it untill you have a reason to worry

impish · 07-02-2013, 11:29 AM

Don't worry about undermining your dr. As an advocate for your dog (as it would be for a human) ask questions until you are satisfied! All too often patients don't question and things can go wrong. better to be safe than sorry. doctors make mistakes. and most of the time they don't and they certainly won't be upset at you asking. he/she knows you are just concerned for your pup. If you are looking for a tactful way of asking - you might say "are you doing the lab work here or did you send it out and if so what are they testing for and looking for besides cancer cells?

Maximo · 07-02-2013, 11:48 AM

I am for Anna and you. I would request pathology testing on the removed bump. To the best of my knowledge, that is the only way to be sure it is noncancerous. Doctors can look at these things during surgery and make a good guess, but the only definitive answer is through lab testing.

Best wishes for Anna and you.

barneysmommmy · 07-02-2013, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the advice. I got her back about an hour ago. She looks pitiful. She has a 3 inch slice on the side of her neck. I was shocked. The tech told me that they found several tumors when they got in there. I asked again if they were sure it was noncancerous and she said yes. But when I asked why they made such a large cut, she said that they needed enough tissue for testing. So I am relieved that they are checking it out.

Maximo · 07-02-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

Thanks for the advice. I got her back about an hour ago. She looks pitiful. She has a 3 inch slice on the side of her neck. I was shocked. The tech told me that they found several tumors when they got in there. I asked again if they were sure it was noncancerous and she said yes. But when I asked why they made such a large cut, she said that they needed enough tissue for testing. So I am relieved that they are checking it out.

Poor girl.

I'm glad they are testing. Praying for her to heal quickly and for the test results to confirm that the tumors are benign. It's hard seeing these little ones look so pitiful, but try to focus on the fact that Yorkies here have recovered from some serious things.

barneysmommmy · 07-02-2013, 01:40 PM

My husband is very upset. He feels that we should have been called before they made such a drastic cut. He also feels that the other lumps should have been left alone if they were noncancerous. I am feeling guilty. I should have had another vet's opinion.

Maximo · 07-02-2013, 02:24 PM

Don't feel guilty. The answer from another vet would very probably have been the same. Sometimes things are found when surgery is in progress and quick decisions have to be made.

It is undoubtedly difficult to see your little girl in this state, but she will heal.

barneysmommmy · 07-02-2013, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

Don't feel guilty. The answer from another vet would very probably have been the same. Sometimes things are found when surgery is in progress and quick decisions have to be made.

It is undoubtedly difficult to see your little girl in this state, but she will heal.

I appreciate your comment. My husband and I don't deal well in seeing our pets suffer. I am praying that this will be the end of the tumors and that they turn out to be harmless. Sweet little girl, as bad as she is feeling, still tries to jump up to protect me every time the door opens.

YazminD · 07-02-2013, 04:58 PM

I agree with Maximo, please don't feel guilty! As she said, a lot of times vets will have to make quick decisions that are in the best interest of your pet.
Praying Anna's tumors are benign and that she's on her way to a quick recovery.

barneysmommmy · 07-03-2013, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YazminD

I agree with Maximo, please don't feel guilty! As she said, a lot of times vets will have to make quick decisions that are in the best interest of your pet.
Praying Anna's tumors are benign and that she's on her way to a quick recovery.

Thanks so much! I am feeling a little better this morning. However, last night as I was cuddling with her, I felt a few bumps on her back and one on the back of her head. I refuse to let the vet remove these unless we have to. If they are harmless skin tumors, then I feel like we should just leave them alone. She already looks like Frankenstein. I really don't think it's anything too bad because other than the skin issues she seems to be pretty healthy.

Verbena · 07-03-2013, 06:17 AM

Your poor little girl. I agree with the ladies. The vet did what they felt is best for her when they were in. Sending good thoughts to Anna that everything comes back negative.

kimp5 · 07-05-2013, 04:29 PM

they may be histiomas. Jess has one on her chin. In young dogs they are not threatening and usually go away on their own. Its like a cyst/histamine reaction from allergy. If she is an itchy dog that's probably it.In older dogs they are more concerned. Just keep an eye on them. She may need allergy meds..

barneysmommmy · 07-05-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimp5

they may be histiomas. Jess has one on her chin. In young dogs they are not threatening and usually go away on their own. Its like a cyst/histamine reaction from allergy. If she is an itchy dog that's probably it.In older dogs they are more concerned. Just keep an eye on them. She may need allergy meds..

I am going to ask my vet when we go in to remove the stitches, exactly what kind of tumors he thinks they are. Whatever they are, apparently they grow back because the tech said he removed the skin around the area to keep them from coming back. I will ask if that is what he thinks this is. Thanks for the information. I pray that it is something simple. She is on an antihistamine for the itching but I don't give it to her every day. Maybe I should try giving it more often to see if the bumps would go away. They look and feel kind of like bb's under her skin.

barneysmommmy · 07-05-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbena

Your poor little girl. I agree with the ladies. The vet did what they felt is best for her when they were in. Sending good thoughts to Anna that everything comes back negative.

Thanks for thinking of her. She is looking better every day. Her appetite is back also.

07-02-2013, 11:14 AM	#1
barneysmommmy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,310	bleeding lump on neck 6 year old Anna went to the vet today to have a lump removed from her neck. She had the lump when we got her in May. I assumed it was some sort of bite. She had to be shaved down due to a flea infestation. Her skin is not in the best condition. She has dandruff and itches a lot for no apparent reason. She was put on an antihistamine 3 weeks ago for the itching problem. The vet looked at her bump but didn't comment at that time. It seemed to be getting a little smaller and then got big again this weekend and it started bleeding. I took her back to the vet yesterday. He said it was a tumor and would not heal on its own so he is removing it today. He also said he felt a few other tumors under her skin. He told me not to worry because it was noncancerous. However, I am still concerned. How does he know that they are not cancerous? I go in to pick her up at 3. Should I ask him to do a biopsy? He is a wonderful vet and I do not want to undermine his opinion but I am worried that he might be wrong.

07-02-2013, 11:21 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Try not to worry about it untill you have a reason to worry __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-02-2013, 11:48 AM	#4
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	I am for Anna and you. I would request pathology testing on the removed bump. To the best of my knowledge, that is the only way to be sure it is noncancerous. Doctors can look at these things during surgery and make a good guess, but the only definitive answer is through lab testing. Best wishes for Anna and you. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

07-02-2013, 02:24 PM	#8
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Don't feel guilty. The answer from another vet would very probably have been the same. Sometimes things are found when surgery is in progress and quick decisions have to be made. It is undoubtedly difficult to see your little girl in this state, but she will heal. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

07-03-2013, 06:17 AM	#12
Verbena Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: with my flying monkeys Posts: 15,620 Blog Entries: 7	Your poor little girl. I agree with the ladies. The vet did what they felt is best for her when they were in. Sending good thoughts to Anna that everything comes back negative. __________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern

07-02-2013, 11:29 AM	#3
impish Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: USA Posts: 954	Don't worry about undermining your dr. As an advocate for your dog (as it would be for a human) ask questions until you are satisfied! All too often patients don't question and things can go wrong. better to be safe than sorry. doctors make mistakes. and most of the time they don't and they certainly won't be upset at you asking. he/she knows you are just concerned for your pup. If you are looking for a tactful way of asking - you might say "are you doing the lab work here or did you send it out and if so what are they testing for and looking for besides cancer cells?

07-02-2013, 01:08 PM	#5
barneysmommmy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,310	Thanks for the advice. I got her back about an hour ago. She looks pitiful. She has a 3 inch slice on the side of her neck. I was shocked. The tech told me that they found several tumors when they got in there. I asked again if they were sure it was noncancerous and she said yes. But when I asked why they made such a large cut, she said that they needed enough tissue for testing. So I am relieved that they are checking it out.

07-02-2013, 01:40 PM	#7
barneysmommmy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,310	My husband is very upset. He feels that we should have been called before they made such a drastic cut. He also feels that the other lumps should have been left alone if they were noncancerous. I am feeling guilty. I should have had another vet's opinion.

07-02-2013, 04:58 PM	#10
YazminD My ♥, My Soul, My Love Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Akron. Ohio Posts: 2,898	I agree with Maximo, please don't feel guilty! As she said, a lot of times vets will have to make quick decisions that are in the best interest of your pet. Praying Anna's tumors are benign and that she's on her way to a quick recovery.

07-05-2013, 04:29 PM	#13
kimp5 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Boston MA Posts: 890	they may be histiomas. Jess has one on her chin. In young dogs they are not threatening and usually go away on their own. Its like a cyst/histamine reaction from allergy. If she is an itchy dog that's probably it.In older dogs they are more concerned. Just keep an eye on them. She may need allergy meds..