Opie Has Some Sort Of Tumor

[tydyelady]

Within the past month we have noticed a lump on Opie's side on his ribs. We took him to the vet right away, she felt it and basically wanted us to watch it for a few weeks. Well, it did not go away, did not get bigger (as in longer), but did get puffier. So we went back to the vet on Friday, she did a bunch of needle aspirations, and just called us that it is some sort of tumor, cells were abnormal, but can't tell what type of cancer it is. We are scheduled for an xray on Monday, 3 views, to see if there is anything in the chest cavity, lungs, etc. Also being set up with an appt. with an oncologist, to determine type of cancer, etc., and course of action.

 

Right now my head is spinning as we don't have all the information, so don't know exactly what we are dealing with, etc. All I know is something is wrong with my beautiful boy, and the "C" word is making its way into our house.

 

Not even sure what I am asking from everyone, except that some support, some what comes next, some how do I deal with this.

 

I feel like I am treading water in a pool and gasping for breath and don't have anything to hold on to.

 

What should I expect, anticipate, do???? Do I send the xrays to OSU to get another opinion? I just can't believe this is happening,. I am shocked, angry, and frightened in no particular order.

[beledi]

I just read your post. I hope it is not cancer. I would get a 2nd opinion, but I would not wait too long. I am sending prayers. Please keep us posted. Hugs to you. We are here for you. A lot of us have been touched by this horrid disease. Once you get results you can decide on a course of action.

[Guest kkaiser104]

How old is Opie? Good thoughts coming your way!

[tydyelady]

Opie is 9 1/2. The vet read me the report over the phone, but of course my heart stopped, and I wasn't comprehending anything. I did get abnormal cells, some sort of cancer, but could not tell what type, and she rattled off all the various types of cancers.

Is it common for osteo to be on a rib, or would another type of cancer be more common there?

I am just so confused and scared.

[greyhead]

Can you get the vet to email you a copy of the report sooner than Monday? (It is really hard to keep track of fast-flying technical names when you're hearing them for the first time about someone you love.)

 

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and Opie. Skip and I will be joining everyone else in hoping and praying that it's a non-cancerous tumor after all.

[a_daerr]

Ugh... and they're sure it's not some type of cyst? Is it hard to the touch? This may sort of explain his recent weird behavior with your bird.

Either way, I hope Opie is okay. Sending you good thoughts for a manageable diagnosis and treatment.

[Guest Heehoo]

I'm so sorry. I'm praying for you to have strength thru this and that is is B9!!! It could be a benighn tumor that can be removed with surgery. I hate this for you & your pup.

[JohnF]

How frightening for you. If only the vet had said something to the effect of: "It looks like a benign fatty lump or Lipoma but we need to make absolutely sure it isn't malignant" you would have been more able to handle the sequence of investigations. Try to look at it in the sense that the more investigation work they carry out the better you will be able to deal with what it actually is without the emotionally destructive second-guessing that comes from incomplete diagnoses.

Hoping to read some better news about your dog here soon.

[Charlies_Dad]

I would suggest getting the information to OSU for a second opinion/advice. Yes Osteo can unfortunately develop on a rib although it is less common than a leg. Hoping whatever it is, it is treatable and you will find OSU very helpful.

 

Good thoughts for Opie and you.

[tbhounds]

Just remember abnormal cells can be benign cells too--doesn't always mean malignancy.

[galgrey]

Just remember abnormal cells can be benign cells too--doesn't always mean malignancy.

 

This is true. In 2009 my vet was pretty sure my galgo had mast cell cancer but when the biopsy came back it wasn't. It was some sort of bizarre fungal infection. So abnormal doesn't always mean malignant. Sending good thoughts for Opie and for you.

[greytpups]

I don't have any advice, but wanted you to know we're thinking about you and Opie and hoping it's something easily treatable.

[DesiRayMom]

Deep breath.....don't panic yet. (Although I know I would be, anyway.)

 

Prayers for Opie......strength for you.

[Guest mld]

Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way!

[tydyelady]

Thank you all, it was nice to wake up to all your kind words. We slept in with Opie, and are going to take him to his greyhound group. I am trying so hard not to panic, but its so difficult. And he is just so normal - no pain, no loss of appetite, no loss of energy. I was just trying so hard to remember the exact words the vet said. She had left me a message, and then left her cel;# to call her back. She called me back @ 7:30 last night. Once I heard abnormal cells, and then something like appearing to be some sort of sarcoma but unable to determine exactly what, (something like that), I couldn't breathe and the room started to spin. Abnormal, "appearing:, all so vague but with hints of the worst. So yes xrays ASAP, Monday, and I have been told that there is an excellent canine oncologist near me that knows greyhounds, and yes I will get an opinion from OSU -

BUT- now to get through today and tomorrow and get the xrays taken to have some at least better, more concrete answers. She did mention a biopsy in our conversation too I think, but after the xrays.

I will keep every one posted when I know more. Its hard to even wrap my head around this, and not knowing exactly what type of cancer they even suspect is so frightening.

[duncan41]

I hope that this is the worst of it. It's always hard to comprehend anything when there's even a hint of trouble, so I always ask for copies of all test results, no matter how many times the same tests were run. It makes it so much easier to have them to take to a consultation, research on your own or post here for others to see and respond.

Sending prayers for Opie.

[Batmom]

Sending hugs for yourself and best thoughts for your pupper.

[vjgrey]

Try not to panic until you have a definite diagnosis - although I know that's much easier said than done.

 

Absolutely send the x-rays and lab reports to OSU for a second opinion and/or recommendation. I'm also really glad to hear you have a good oncologist nearby. We wound up paying a fortune for Gabe's oncologist, although we live in an area where pretty much everything costs a fortune. It was worth every single penny, though. He and his staff were phenomenal - with Gabe and with us - and it made such a huge difference in our anxiety levels.

[Guest Downtownhoundz]

Oh no, not Opie !!!!! :beatheart Sending many good thought s and prayers your way

[macoduck]

As best you can, for the rest of tonight, just be Opie's mom. Not the woman who wonders about the big C. Not the woman who is about to launch into action every resource to save her dog. Opie loves you. Tonight just love him back.

Edited November 25, 2012 by macoduck

[krissn333]

Try not to worry until you can get more concrete information.

 

Ace had little tumors on her thighs-they were removed and came back as malignant sarcomas. But, the vet feels he got good margins and we haven't had a recurrence.

 

It might be just as simple as removing the tumor with good margins. There might not be anything to worry about as far as xrays are concerned.

[tydyelady]

We took Opie to his greyhound playgroup, and his St Bernard friend showed up too. He had fun, we drove around in the car to run some errands, he had a nap with DH on the couch under a blanket. He will be getting some extra turkey tonight, and we are just loving him and trying to be normal until we get the xrays tomorrow.

I am trying to breath normally and carry on and not worry - save that for when we know more information. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe.

[GreyPoopon]

 

I hope it's not cancer.

[tydyelady]

I just posted this update on Facebook, and will repost here.

Well, its bad news/good news. The xrays have been sent to the radiologist for viewing and report, but here is what we saw at my Vet's office. The bad news is that the tumor seems to be growing on the rib bone. The good news (I hope this is true) is that she did not see any other growths anywhere in an around the chest area. She took 4 views, including a close up of the lump. So now its more waiting - for radiologist to review and give an official report. In the meantime we also are going to the Canine oncologist specialist who happens to be right here in Renton. She also will review everything. She came recommended to me, as knowing about Greyhounds, and I see from her bio that she graduated vet school at Ohio State. (for those that do not know, Ohio State has a huge greyhound research facility, so this is a very good thing.)

Of course my question was can they cut the rib off, with the offending tumor? And that is to be determined after radiologist, and my consult with oncologist. I am clinging to hope that since it "seems" (please please please!) to be localized, that is a positive thing. So, it more waiting.

[Guest Downtownhoundz]

Keep us posted, please !