I found a lump on my dogs chest..any vets out there?!

[Soph28]

I have a 6 yo female malamute x bernese mountain dog. I was just outside wrestling with her and noticed a lump on her chest. Its about the size and shape of a marble and black (like her skin). Im wondering if it might be an infected nipple maybe because of the location..? Im going to take her to the vet tomorrow but as for tonight I will be stressing until I know she will be ok!

[krystals]

It might be an abscess- my border collie has had a few because of grass seeds that get stuck in her coat - she's had a couple burst, but it's just been a week on antibiotics and keeping the area clean.

Your dog must be beautiful!!!! I've only met a few bernese mountain dogs and they've all been big huggable teddy bears. I hope she's ok. I'll be watching to see how you go tomorrow x

[Soph28]

Thanks Krystals. She seems her normal, goofy self so thats got to be a good sign I guess. And yes, she is beautiful, all 45kg of her. She has bernese features in malamute black and white and a big, fluffy malamute tail. We rescued her from an animal foster carer at 18months and she is just a beautiful soul. And excellent with our 3 year old. Couldnt ask for anything more from a dog really We also have a 1yo Basset Hound male who is the silliest dog on the earth and watching them wrestle is priceless, lol.

[angelaartsstudent]

Well...not a vet but am a Biology/Molecular Biol/Biomed student...not sure if that helps...

Is it attached or loose?

So...does it move indepentenly and can you put your fingers 'behind' it? Or, is it 'attached' and not able to be moved? THis is the main different between a fatty lump/cyst and a tumour, I believe. Also, does it feel soft and fluid filled/squishy, or is it very firm?

Vet is a GREAT idea. My Siamese had one in the same spot right next to nipple which looked totally harmless and fluid filled - like a cyst - and burst normally like a cyst....but it was breat cancer. Don't want to scare you though.

Just re-read her breed. WOAH she must be huge! Awwwwww!

And swoon swoon swoon at your Bassett!

Sorry...major tragic animal lover :-P

[Soph28]

It looks like a marble on her skin and is only attached by about 20% of the growth. It looks fluid filled, sort of soft, can move it around a little. I really hope its not breast cancer! My heart would just be broken. We lost our Husky 15 months ago to a brain anurism (sp?)...he had a seizure and died in front of me. I still cant get the image out of my mind and I almost cry at least once a day because he was my first born! Sometimes I wish I didnt care so much.

[Kazbah]

Soph, my old dog had one of these on his side for about 4-5 years - benign. Good luck.

[Soph28]

Soph, my old dog had one of these on his side for about 4-5 years - benign. Good luck.

Thank you Kazbah!!! I hope I hear those magic words at the vet this afternoon

[krystals]

good luck this afternoon! Will be thinking of you x

[Soph28]

Vet said its a bit worrying...the kind of lump it is (i forget) can be either benign or malignant so we have scheduled surgery for Friday

[Kazbah]

Hope all goes well - thinking of you

[Kazzo]

Sorry to hear your dog has a worrying lump. I am a vet nurse (on mat leave) and in a rural area so we mainly see large dogs. 90% of our surgeries are lumpectomy's. Very few actually come back from pathology with bad results. And if the vet cuts enough good tissue away from around the lump then that can be the only treatment needed. Also the majority of lumps we see are just fatty tissue that has hardened. I hope this is the case with your boy. I know this is not info that will help, I just thought it would give you some hopeful thoughts.

[Soph28]

Thanks Kazzo. The vet said the type of lump it is is a bit of a worry since its purple/ black. But, as you said, hopefully he can cut surrounding tissue out to get rid of any affected cells if its a nasty one. Im pretty worried but trying to keep calm.

[Soph28]

Puppy is home safe and sound from 'hospital'. The vet said he got all of the growth and it didnt seem to have any nasty 'tentacles' that suggest it might have infiltrated other organs if malignant so thats good news! Im getting the tissue sent off to pathology to be on the safe side though.

[Kazzo]

How is your dog now. All healed up? Did you get the results. I hope it was good news.

[Soph28]

Oh thanks Kazzo! Yes she is fine. The lump was sent off to pathology and it was pre-cancerous but the vet removed a good margin around it and the surrounding tissue was fine, as were blood tests. So its a cure! Im so grateful I have such a great vet and that I caught it early. Thankyou for caring!