My labrador has a lump

[Anonymous]

Last night I saw this big bulge behind my dog's left front leg. I touched it and it felt like a bag of fluid. He is eating and acting fine. Does anyone know what this is? And yes, I am taking him to the vet tonight but I thought that maybe someone else had had this happen? BTW, he is 9 years old and just finished a treatment of antibiotics 2 days ago. I would really appreciate some response as I am scared.

[Anonymous]

Labs (and probable other dogs, but I know labs best!) can be lumpy - particularly as they get older. Generally they are lipomas, kind of fatty deposits that are completely benign and generally don't need to be removed. But the vet will feel it and may recommend a fine needle aspiration to get some cells from it and check to make sure it's benign. I wouldn't worry too much at this point but I know it's scary feeling a lump.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to worry you more - this is just personal experience. Labs are prone to bumps but also to Mast Cell Cancer. My 7 yearl old lab has been through two bouts starting at age 4. I highly suggest you get a biopsy before opting to get the lump removed. The first time we allowed our regular vet to remove the lump and it turned out that it was cancerous he didn't get wide enough margins so she had to have a second surgery at a specialty vet. The good news is that two years after her last surgery (knock on wood) she is doing fine. There are a couple of great specialty vet hospitals in our area if you need them.

Good luck - I hope your puppy is fine.

[Anonymous]

My doggie also has lumps (lumpy!). A big one behind his front leg (like you described OP), one small one on his belly, and one small one under his chin.

He's had them for years and the good news is that they haven't grown or gotten worse. We took him to the vet. who confirmed they were non cancerous - just fat deposits which is common in older/geriatric dogs.

Our dog is old so we thought having the lumps surgically removed would be more harmful than just leaving them.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking for a great vet capable of treating serious illnesses, I highly recommend Dr. Soebel at VCA in Rockville (near Shady Grove Road). He saved our dog's life and is treating him for a chronic illness. Our previous vet had written our dog off -- but the docs at VCA are highly trained w/ specialists on staff. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

My lab has a million lumps. She is 10 1/2 and has had them for years. My vet said that older labs often just get lumpy. Let the vet look at them, but don't freak out.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks to all. I still have not taken him to the doc because the bulge moved down his leg, it is like a water bag and I called the vet and they said the weekend is soon enough. Now I am sitting on the internet and found edema as a possible explanation. Can that happen in one leg without any external trauma (like broken leg)?

[Anonymous]

It could be a blister or infection, or a hematoma, which is an area which fills up with blood and may need to be drained. Sometimes occurs after some trauma, but shouldn't be moving around the leg as you describe. One of our dogs had a huge one on the tip of her ear--go figure. My Lab (and other large breeds) have/had multiple fat lumps/lipomas, and they were like rubber in consistency but did not completely move out of place. You could move them around some but they stayed adhered to the same area of skin.

Definitely get it checked out ASAP, just to make yourself feel better. Hopefully it's nothing. If he's acting normal and not licking at it, it's not bothering him. Good luck - keep us posted!

[Anonymous]

My older dalmatian (12 years) gets these lumps all the time. Sometimes he gets a small one on his forehead (that's now gone) and currently he has a squishy golfball sized one on behind his front right leg. It doesn't hurt him and we have no intention on getting it biopsied. I figure as long as they seem otherwise healthy, getting a biopsy or worse, getting it removed (since it requires bloodwork, general anesthesia) is a much worse alternative.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Some people asked for an update so here it goes: sadly my dog died yesterday. He had been diagnosed with IMHA and was responding well to treatment. But as I find out it is a very seriuos disease with a high mortaility rate. It is just so shocking because he appeared to get better and then we found him dead in his bed after coming home from work. It hurts so much right now.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry for your loss.

A Dog's Purpose:

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him.

Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Be always grateful for each new day.

Enjoy every moment of every day!

[Anonymous]

I am so so sorry for your loss. Your post had me in tears. You sound like a very caring pet owner and I can really empathize with how hard it is to lose such a loyal friend and family member...It sounds like you did everything you could for your dog and that he went peacefully...

Wishing you peace...

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Anonymous]

I am *so* sorry that your sweet dog died. Be good to yourself and allow yourself to grieve this family member.

[Anonymous]

That is so sad OP. As your fellow dog lover (also with lumps) I send you my sympathy.

I'm sure you were a great owner and I am sure your dog was happy and loved the great life he/she had with you. Your dog has crossed the Rainbow Bridge -

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown..