Dog - "lump" in throat area

[rjb]

Hi all, first time caller....First, let me say that I've been to the vet over this problem and will be going back. Just checking to see if anyone else has been through the same thing.

Brief description...over the past year or so, my 9 y/o beagle/bloodhound mix has developed a lump in his throat area. It comes and goes...shrinks to practically nothing (undetectable, unless you know it's there), then it comes back to the size of a golf ball.

This time, it seems to be sticking around and is larger (between the size of a golf ball and tennis ball). Also, I don't know if it's a coincidence, but he seems depressed or not feeling well over the past two weeks. He still loves going outside and gets excited about going places, but he's not running as hard as he was and he's not eating as much. He still likes to mooch for a treat, but he's not eating as much of his food.

There are also a few variables. We brought in a new puppy a few days ago, but this depressed attitude started before then. It's just been more noticeable over the past few days. Also, his nails are long and I don't know if that's affecting his desire to run hard. He also seems to have a sore toe, probably from a nail catching on something (I've been trying to trim the nails down little by little, but it's like treading water).

When I first took him to the vet for the lump problem, he did a biopsy which came back negative for cancer ("contained bacteria"). The lump shrank and came back a few times, then when I took him for his annual exam/shots, the lump was back. The vet tried some antibiotics. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but it shrank down to the smallest it ever was, almost completely gone.

Now that it's back larger than ever and showing no signs of shrinking, I'm going to set up another appointment. The last time I was in, they said they would remove it if the antibiotics didn't work.

I have two concerns. One is that he's never been under anesthesia. He was twilighted to stitch up an injury once, but never under anesthesia. It would kill me to lose this guy over something that isn't a big deal. My other concern is the possibility that it's attached to something important, like a saliva gland. I've read that that removing a saliva gland can cause problems later on.

Should an experienced vet have a better idea what this is? Can they tell if it's attached to something important before they cut him open? Is there any way of knowing if this is causing his "depression"? He's also kind of wimpy about pain, so I'd hate to put him through this if it's not going to help.

Cheers, and thanks in advance.

[hazelrunpack]

It sounds like a recurring infection--an abcess maybe... If so, it needs to be cleaned out/removed so that the infection doesn't spread. Your vet should be willing to talk with you about any risk from the anesthesia--and there are blood tests you can run ahead of time that will ensure that your dog is healthy enough to undergo the surgery. The blood panels aren't a guarantee, but they can find things that might increase the risk of surgery. It's a worry any time our dogs have to be put under for a procedure so I know how you feel

As for the nails, while your dog is under, have the vet trim them back. Then trim them faithfully every week or so to keep them under control

[rjb]

Thanks HRP,

He's scheduled to go in wednesday. Sounds like they want him to be ready to roll, no food or drink 10 PM the prev night. Now I'm going to be wondering if they're going to test first?? I will definitely be asking all the questions I asked here.

Thanks again :-)

Originally Posted by hazelrunpack

It sounds like a recurring infection--an abcess maybe... If so, it needs to be cleaned out/removed so that the infection doesn't spread. Your vet should be willing to talk with you about any risk from the anesthesia--and there are blood tests you can run ahead of time that will ensure that your dog is healthy enough to undergo the surgery. The blood panels aren't a guarantee, but they can find things that might increase the risk of surgery. It's a worry any time our dogs have to be put under for a procedure so I know how you feel

As for the nails, while your dog is under, have the vet trim them back. Then trim them faithfully every week or so to keep them under control

[Karin]

Originally Posted by rjb

Thanks HRP,

He's scheduled to go in wednesday. Sounds like they want him to be ready to roll, no food or drink 10 PM the prev night. Now I'm going to be wondering if they're going to test first?? I will definitely be asking all the questions I asked here.

Thanks again :-)

They will do the blood profile prior to surgery. It does not take too long for the result's to come back.
Do make sure he has had no food or water after 10pm, this is for good reasons as the vet will explain. (They can aspirate while sedated and this can pose a problem)
If the tests come back with elevated liver enzymes the surgery could be postponed.
Of course ask for a nail trim!, Normally they do this anyway because it helps to wake up the patient post op. (The stimulation seems to stir them awake quicker)
And like Hazel said...keep it up with the nail trims. It will be a no fuss deal.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[hazelrunpack]

for tomorrow, rjb!

[rjb]

Thanks Karin and HazelRun!

A slight change in schedule. Testing this morning (Weds AM), surgery Thursday.

They *are* doing blood testing and also wanted to to an ECG & Xrays. I was reluctant to pay an extra $400 (OUCH!) for the ECG/Xrays, but, better safe than sorry. At least we'll have those records to compare to if there are problems in the future.

And yes, when I mentioned the nails, they said it's standard procedure to do that while they're under. That'll be nice having a fresh start with those :-D

He'll come home at 1:00 PM today, then surgery tomorrow AM if his symptoms aren't coming from something else.

I will definitely post the outcome, and then some details for those who might be searching for related info in the future (that's how I ended up here!).

Thanks again!
RJ

Originally Posted by Karin

They will do the blood profile prior to surgery. It does not take too long for the result's to come back.
Do make sure he has had no food or water after 10pm, this is for good reasons as the vet will explain. (They can aspirate while sedated and this can pose a problem)
If the tests come back with elevated liver enzymes the surgery could be postponed.
Of course ask for a nail trim!, Normally they do this anyway because it helps to wake up the patient post op. (The stimulation seems to stir them awake quicker)
And like Hazel said...keep it up with the nail trims. It will be a no fuss deal.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[ScottieDog]

RJB, I saw your post and wanted to wish your little guy good luck with his surgery. My 13 year-old Scottie needed some teeth pulled and a wart on his head removed last summer. He had never been under anesthesia either and I was very worried. The blood work is always a good idea. Your guy will be so groggy and drowsy when he comes home. Mac actually fell asleep in his crate on the ride home and didn't come out for several hours. It took him a day or so to really get all the anesthesia out of his system. Sending good thoughts your way. Please give us an update.

[Karin]

Have them throw in a good ear cleaning with that nail trim too. Might as well treat him to a day at the spa!
I will look for your post tomorrow night.

Remember, no food or water...

[hazelrunpack]

Did you find out any results today, rjb, or will you not hear till tomorrow?

More for a successful surgery tomorrow!

[ScottieDog]

Sending good thoughts today.

[rjb]

Well, first off, thanks for the comments and support!

Ok, good news and bad news.

The good news (and this is stretching it): I opted to pay the extra for the ECG anesthesia screening.

The bad news: The lump is now a small problem, and a heart murmur and arhythmia is now a new problem.

Soooo, no surgery for now. It's been a lonnnnng 48 hours.

Initial ECG was on Wednesday. Doc didn't want to say much until the lab looked at the results, so I had to make do with a message relayed through his assistant "He doesn't want to do surgery on Thursday", and "there will probably be some heart medication involved" .

Needless to say, that was crushing news. Especially not knowing anything at all about this stuff.

So, Doc calls Thursday and says he's got a murmur and arhythmia and recommended going to a cardiologist for a cardio ultrasound. I said it sounds like something we need to get on right away, he agreed. He called the cardiologist, then called back with a quote and said they had a cancellation and 3:00 is open (otherwise it would probably take a week to get in). So I jumped on the 3:00 appointment.

They did a cardiac and pelvic ultrasound. The cardiac showed degeneration of the mitral valves and a ventricular arrhythmia, and we're starting treatment with Sotalol. I guess it's basically the common degeneration in older dogs.

Follow up ECG scheduled for Tuesday to see if the meds are working.

Not sure what to expect...3 mos? 3 years? No clue, but Tuesday we'll see how the meds are working. I feel better about it now. I don't know why, maybe the shock is wearing off or maybe today's visit is better than I thought it would be. At least I have an appetite now :-D

The big thing that came out of the past 48 hours is that I have few regrets. I've always spent a lot of time with him, hiking, walks, playing, "hunting" (ok, we're not really hunting and he doesn't know what he's doing, but he thinks he is, so we are :-) And of course Christmas presents every year (he loves opening them!)

The only regret is not sticking with the recommended 30 min twice a day. I don't know how anyone can keep up with that schedule and I'm not sure if getting him out more often would have made a difference, but that's all I would change. I'd say we've averaged getting out and about (30 min+) twice a week throughout his nine years (hikes, walks), and 10-30 minutes per day of regular "potty" walks.

...which reminds me...I forgot to ask about excercise! I don't know if he should take it easy until I know the meds are working, or do what we normally do. Looks like I have another phone call to make tomorrow. I'm guessing it's probably fine and he'll probably stay at a pace he's comfortable with.

Thanks again for the comments and support!
RJ

[hazelrunpack]

Maybe the lump was a good thing--the screening found the more serious problem, which might have gone on undetected for quite a while longer.

for a good result from the new meds!

[TeriM]

No point in regrets. It is obvious that your dog is very loved and that is the most important thing . Good luck with the meds, hope they work quickly for him .