Question:
My dog has been to her vet numerous times to have a big lump on her belly/leg checked out. Time and time again her vet said that the lump was merely a fat deposit and that it was nothing to worry about it. She even said that there was no need to have it removed unless it started to bother Jess. Taking that advice, my mom left the lump alone until today when she decided to have it removed because Jess was starting to limp (her joints have been bugging her, and the lump likely didn't help).
My brother just called to tell me how the surgery went, and he said that the vet who performed the surgery said that the lump wasn't a fat deposit at all. She said that it was a tumor! She said that she was unable to remove all of it and now they have to do more tests to see if the lump is/was cancerous.
My brother and I can't help but think that had our vet told us that it was a tumor in the first place, we could have had the lump removed much earlier and avoided any problems that we/Jess might have now.


Answer:
OMG, that is horrible! I hope that the lump was not cancerous. Did the first vet ever do a biopsy? Blood tests?


Answer:
Danielle how infuriating! Have you or your mother contacted the vet that originally said it was only a fat deposit? That is terrible.
Danielle, I hope the biopsy indicates your dog's tumour is not cancerous. I will be thinking about Jess.


Answer:
That's an outrage! I'd think a vet could tell the differece between the two (but would do I know). I'm so sad to here about your doggie, that's the worst.
I really hope everything turns out okay.


Answer:
The first vet did a bunch of tests, but I am not sure exactly what. I know that she did blood tests and my brother thinks that she took cultures from the lump.


Answer:
I just found out about the tumor from my brother who was contacted at work. I doubt that my mom knows yet because she's working and can't be contacted.
I don't know much about these things, but it does seem like a gigantic oversight on the part of the vet because mom had the lump checked out on a number of occasions.


Answer:
I agree, there should have been a biopsy.


Answer:
How awful! I truly hope it turns out to be nothing!


Answer:
I know hard to do...but don't be too worried just yet. It could still be a fatty tumor. We just saw a dog recently that had a lump removed that grew all around a leg muscle and couldn't be removed all the way. It looked suspicious but still turned out to be a benign tumor after testing. Has she had the lump a long time? Has it been growing large, fast?
My fingers are crossed for your dog!!


Answer:
Yeah, if the lump was slow growing or showed little/no signs of growth, it is more likely to be benign. A fast growing or suddenly changing growth is worrysome and that is often a sign of a cancerous tumour.