Dog Community

What Could It Be?

Posted : 8/25/2011 9:28:20 PM

Haven't been here for a while.....working crazy hours. I need some advice please. Abbie has a lump on the underside of her elbow that I noticed last night. It's about the size of a pea and it is very red, not a bug bite. it's hard on the inside and has grown since last night. I can roll it around between my fingers.... can't tell if it's bothering her though. It looks like it could burst possibly. Does anyone know what this might be? I can't get her in to the vet until Sat morning. Thanks and hope everyone is doing well!!! :)

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/25/2011 10:56:34 PM

I could simply be a little cyst or it could be something else. The vet would be best.

Sunshinegirl

Posted : 8/26/2011 8:36:35 PM

I took Abbie to the vet today and he said it's a Basal Cell Carcinoma and he gave her a shot underneath it saying that it should dissolve within a month and if it doesn't to bring her back. This thing came out of nowhere and looks nothing like skin cancer (I have had Malignant Melanoma & have Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome so I know a little bit about skin cancer).....

I've never heard of giving a shot like that to dissolve a skin cancer...... any advice is appreciated. I will keep an eye on it and if nothing changes, I may get a 2nd opinion.

calliecritturs

Posted : 8/26/2011 11:40:23 PM

Sounds like a good plan -- I've got no experience with that unfortunately. Luna's got to have something removed Monday -- it came up fast and then ruptured internally (not into my hand but it squished under the skin) but I had the vet look at it, he aspirated it and did NOT like what he saw. Infection but the remnants of it didn't go away at all fast with antibiotics so he wants it GONE. *sigh*

Why don't you call UF and ask for the email of one of the oncology vets and email them and ASK if that's sensible. I'm pretty sure they'd tell you at least if it's possible.

PawMaid

Posted : 8/27/2011 3:49:09 PM

I have a few cancer websites I keep book Marked with good information.

They suggest surgical removal. I second getting another opinion just to be on the safe . Basal cell tumors - Basal cells line the deepest layers of the skin and that is what is affected with basal cell tumors. Basal cell tumors are benign and are usually solitary,
well circumscribed, firm, hairless, elevated masses that are freely movable. They most commonly appear in older dogs and poodles are predisposed. Tumors are most
commonly located on the head, neck and shoulders and it does not metastasize. Treatment is surgical removal. Sun exposure increases the risk for basal cell tumors. Treatment Treatment for basal cell tumors in dogs is removal. Surgical removal will totally remove the mass and free your dog of further issues most of the time. Depending on how severe the growth is, this can be minor to major surgery. Check into your vet’s history of success rates for this type of procedures and if you don’t feel comfortable, ask if they have any recommendations or if they know of anyone who specializes in this field.

Thalie

Posted : 8/28/2011 8:11:56 AM

Sunshinegirl
I took Abbie to the vet today and he said it's a Basal Cell Carcinoma and he gave her a shot underneath it saying that it should dissolve within a month and if it doesn't to bring her back. This thing came out of nowhere and looks nothing like skin cancer (I have had Malignant Melanoma & have Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome so I know a little bit about skin cancer).....
I've never heard of giving a shot like that to dissolve a skin cancer...... any advice is appreciated. I will keep an eye on it and if nothing changes, I may get a 2nd opinion.

How was the diagnostic reached ? Did the vet take a sample ? The only thing I have found involving shots to fight basal cell carcinoma is the injections of interferon (see here : http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/513828 ;) but that is a series of shots, not just one. The typical treatment is surgical.

If a sample was taken, I am not sure at all that the shot (a shot of what , by the way ?) is an appropriate treatment. If no sample was taken, I am not sure at all the diagnostic is correct. Personally, I would go for a second opinion on this one.