Dolly has a lump

[bennic]

Dolly has a lump on her right hand side. Its just behind that line of paler fur fawn puggies seem to have.

It seems to vary in size, we first noticed it back in the summer, and the vets said to monitor it for changes in size. It seems to get bigger, then get significantly smaller. Currently its about the size of a pea (which is as big as it gets).

She was at the vets yesterday due to paranoia over a potential eye scrape - 100% non-scratched eye, phew. Anyway, whilst we were there we raised our concerns over this lump again.

The vet had a feel and said she thought it felt like a cyst, she poked a needle inside and drew out a some fat. She said that she didn't think there was anything to worry about, and certainly not worth putting her under anaesthetic to remove it unless she needs anything else doing.

However, like all worried pug parents, I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience of things like this!

[FourteenLegs]

Poor Dolly! If they've drawn out fat I would relax pretty much. Imi has the same sort of thing on her leg and I had the vet draw off some cells and have them analysed to be sure that it was a lipoma (a benign, harmless fatty cyst), which it was. You could have them remove it to be completely worry free, but it's probably unnecessary. Hope all is okay!

[Snifter]

Poor Dolly. Does sound as if it is nothing to worry about but presumably the vet will analyse the cells drawn off to make sure it is just fat. I think extra treats are in order for Dolly, and a big glass of wine for mum.

[shaynapug]

I don't want to worry you.....but to me...just my opinion.....a fatty lump would not get smaller in size.

I would check into it further.

[crazypugmom]

I would have a biopsy done on it. I also don't think that fatty tumors shrink and then grow. Mast cell tumors will do that so that is one reason I would suggest getting a biopsy. The doctor can do a needle biopsy and send it out for results. Pugsly had mast cell tumors for 3 years before being diagnosed. One of them would grow and grow until it ruptured. It would be gone for a while then return again. Even after 3 yrs, they were still a grade 1, but I had wished that I would have pushed to have them biopsied.

[PugLady3]

Fatty cysts can go up & down in size. Buster's had one before in his "arm pit" (behind/under his front leg) that would vary in size. We had it removed when he went in for a dental last year.

[bennic]

Just thought I'd update this thread instead of starting a new one, but we took Dolly back to the vet on Saturday and have paid to have biopsy done on her lump. It doesn't seem to have changed in size since we last went to the vet, but she's lost a little fur around that area and Edie seems to be increasingly interested in it. Should get the results this week. Fingers crossed its nothing sinister.

When we saw the vet, she immediately said to take it off (goes to show the difference of opinion in different vets!), but I don't want to put Dolly under unless we absolutely have to.

[korine]

My Josie has had 2 mast cell tumors in the past. Both benign. It is a big boo boo to not have it surgically removed, then a biopsy done on it. Mast cell tumors leach toxins, if I'm not mistaken... and they'll show up in other places.

Josie also just had a different kind of tumor removed. This was is often caused by allergies. She had this one removed without being "put under"... the Vet just used a local, not too bad.

[puglover22]

Junior used to get MCT's and his vet removed most of them with a laser. Laser surgery is safer, less invasive, and cheaper. I'd ask if your vet can do laser surgery

[Snifter]

I hope it is nothing to worry about and I totally agree about getting it analysed rather than charging forth with surgery.