Guest OurIndy Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I had hoped I wouldn't have to post on this forum for some time about Piper as we've only had her 6 months and she's only 4, but here we go on our first medical journey. I had been watching Piper's left hock because it was a little larger than her right (since we've had her) and I always thought it was just scar tissue/swollen from racing impact. Well on Sunday I noticed she had a scab and the enlargement looked round. So we went to the vet but they couldn't aspirate anything but blood. After the area was shaved it definitely looked more like a defined growth, but even so it's hard to tell if it's a lump or a trauma. It seemed to be irritated by the FNA attempt, getting a little larger and redder, so of course I'm thinking mast-cell tumor. The vet has it on a list of differentials, including other neoplasias (but also just plain old trauma). Since the FNA was inconclusive Piper is going in for a punch biopsy on Thursday. Keep her in your thoughts because she HATES the hospital and is generally a nervous/high energy/loud hound, not boding well for this full day visit. I feel awful making her go through the sedation, procedure, and recovery but it's obviously necessary. I'm terrified of the possibility of a Grade 2 or 3 MST... Anyone with experience with mast cell tumors (or other skin cancers) in a young hound? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions yet but she's our spunky little girl and I'm having trouble thinking about her getting sick. Thanks for reading if you've gotten this far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I wouldn't worry too much that it's a MCT--usually when those are aspirated they give off a lot of cells making for a very easy cytology. Regardless it should be checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fasave Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thinking good thoughts for cute little piper. I do have experience with skin cancers but hopefully it's not cancer. Fwiw, the skin cancers I dealt with happened at age 7 and beyond. Keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Awww, poor Piper Sending good thoughts your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Good thoughts for Piper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OurIndy Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Thanks guys. Luckily some of my friends tech at the small animal hospital so they're going to check in on her. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Hoping all is well with little miss Piper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 How'd it go? Is she home and recovering now? Gentle hugs to her, and an adult beverage to you! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OurIndy Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Thanks everyone! Piper is totally zonked...very relaxed and cozy on the couch with her brother. I am drinking a large glass of red wine. Now we wait . Histology results next week. Getting extra cuddles from her dad last night Hoping for a chase in the lobby Relaxed on the couch with Indiana post procedure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferS Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 I think I recognize that waiting room, is it Tufts? Good thoughts to all of you! Quote Forever in my heart: my girl Raspberry & my boys Quiet Man, Murphy, Ducky, Wylie & Theo www.greyhoundadventures.org & www.greyhoundamberalert.org & www.duckypaws.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OurIndy Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 Yup! Foster small animal hospital, well spotted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest OurIndy Posted August 11, 2012 Share Posted August 11, 2012 Update on Piper: The vet called with good news! The biopsy shows that the lump on Piper's leg resulted from an allergic dermatitis, probably from a insect or spider bite. Definitely not cancer. We are ECSTATIC! The vet even said that it had presented so much like a mast cell tumor that even he was really relieved with the report! So my poor girl had to go through a bit of an ordeal but I'm glad we looked into it so I wasn't left considering the worst case scenario. She also made it onto the Tufts photoblog (even though they thought her name was "Patsy") because she's so stinkin' cute! Check it out at tuftscummingsschool dot blogspot dot com, she's the last image on the entry for 8/9/12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Greyt news-knew It wasn't going t be a mct-those are just to easy to identify on cytology :-). Ps-love the pic where's she's cuddling with her daddy-so cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Ahhh, great news. I'm so happy and relieved to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Whew!! Wonderful news! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greymatters Posted August 13, 2012 Share Posted August 13, 2012 Just seeing this now - sooo glad to hear Piper is A-OK! Quote Merlin (Heathers Wizard), Mina (Where's Rebecca), and Mae the Galga - three crazy dogs in the house of M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.