Belated quick update: Max had his operation and got a clean report afterward. He is his old frisky self. We apparently just need to watch for possible recurrence of the tumor or swellings in lymph glands. He doesn't seem to harbor any grudges from the ordeal. If anything, he's more affectionate.

Sorry to hear that Tom. Hope everything goes well for you and Max.

Quick update: Further tests Thursday, since apparently they did find purple cells. Chances are Max will be looking at surgery next week, then wearing one of those cones for a while, which always remind me of Queen Elizabeth I.

Here's a possibly useful thing to know: even if a bump has granular cells, it can still be innocuous. The key, according to the specialist we saw today, is their color. If they're pink, it's ok. If they're purple, it's a big problem. The specialist took a look and thinks they're pink. She's getting a dog lab to offer a 2nd opinion. In a day or two, we should know for sure.

Thanks all - I'm going to weigh what the specialists tell us in light of your advice. I fully expect Max will live several more years, and that he'll enjoy them more for benefiting from your help. - t.

I have little to add to Jeneane's thoughts. I have an oldster, Maggie, who had a big lump removed from her side a few years ago. The effects of the surgery were such that now as she approaches 16 and the growth has reappeared, we won't have it done again. I wonder if you can get a fairly non-invasive biopsy done to know whether you should go further in snout lump removal?

Tom--I'm sorry to hear about the good friend, but all is not glum. I believe the benign tumors (which our old mix had about everywhere by the time she was 11, and which my sister's old hound mix has had since age 9) are more common than the "bad" kinds. Lots of vets will try to talk you into surgery. I never did--I was always of the mind that surgery does old dogs more harm--unless they're the kind of dogs that love animal hospitals--than conservative options.

In my experience, most dogs eventually develop masses like this, some at a younger age than others, but mostly by the time they're "old" in dog years. The location and potential difficulties in sutering in this case would lead me to let nature take it's course. But a second opinion will at least put your mind at rest that you are making the best decision.

Enjoy your old friend. Sometimes this kind of thing is the wakeup call we need to spend the time we have in the moment with these creature friends who--by some unkind stroke of fate--don't live as long as most of their human companions.

Of course, the same holds true for the humans in our lives. Live, love, enjoy, hold, pet--all we have is today.

keep us posted.

Kate, I do indeed recall Odin's (and your) difficulties, and it's splendid to see him looking so well. We're fortunate to have a very good group of vets nearby, and they have been helpful in pointing to a specialist with whom, this morning, I made a date for a 2nd opinion on Monday. I think your term "conservative action" is about right - and that's what I was looking for in hoping to tap into people's reflections on their actual experiences, as opposed to some veterinary expertise. Thanks very much for all the thoughts! - Tom

Edited by author 09-27-2002 08:01 PM
Tom! I am sorry to read your bad bump news. As you may know, we have had our own adventure of the mystery mass. (Actually, more than once.) My best advice: talk to someone who has done *lots* of the kind of operation Max may need. Your vet (who I am sure is great) may know a specialist who would be right for a surgical second opinion. For us, the vets at UC Davis Small Animal Hospital were great -- they've seen it all. And our consulting surgeon there had done hundreds of operations like the one Odin had had. Other than that — conservative action, close monitoring and *lots* of love while the decisions are being made. And, remember it isn't always the worst possible thing.
All our best to you and to Max.

P.S. Vets often try to arrest tumor growth with prednisone. This super-powerful steroid has all kinds of side effects -- it made Odin a ravenous counter-surfer for the first time in his life. (Not even avocados were safe.) He got better, but it took us a long time to correct his new bad habit. It was a problem I was happy to have.

Kate

pps: <----- not bald, New Orleans accent

All input from bald men with east European accents in wheelchairs singing "Memory" or "The Rum Tum Tugger" while petting white cats will be scrutinized with extra Ashcroftian care. Thanks for the tip, Kent!

Weigh the advice that you’re receiving with care --- there are certain well-known cat lovers among us whose intentions might be questionable.

Any thoughts most welcome.