He has a subcutaneous lipoma low on his side.  For those who don't know what they are, they are a fatty growth that is common to older dogs.  These are not cancer.  Normally they stay small and don't need to be removed...I think just about all my older dogs have had them.  The one Max has is low on his side and it grew quickly and large, about the size of a softball. The vet said she can close her fingers almost completely on the inside of the growth which means it's not attached to anything...it's right under the skin which is a real good thing.  He has a couple of other small ones that she is not concerned about except for one that is almost into his armpit.  It may not grow any bigger but if it does it will impede his leg movement so in order to prevent a 2nd surgery she is removing it.

If you all would keep good thoughts for my boy I would greatly appreciate it.  I am calmer about it now that he has had his evaluation and the vet is very encouraging that it will be a simple operation.  They will do blood work of course before they do the surgery.  Max is 12 and in good overall health but I still worry....of all the dogs I have had in my lifetime some how this short, fluffy, crazy, annoying, loving creature had just gotten such a hold on my heart.

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Comment by Chris Payerl on August 1, 2014 at 8:56am
He is a handsome boy! How old is he? We had one of those collars for Sophie, but she was so miserable with it that we took it off. She left everything alone, even later while healing. She has had neck problems, too. They sure can make themselves look pitiful, can't they? I agree that giving pain meds for a few a while after is a good idea. We all heal best when not stressed out with pain. Love that he still has enough pep to line up for carrot treats! Ear scritches to Max.
Comment by Linda on August 1, 2014 at 8:07am

Jane....I know I would be having discomfort from that so even tho he isn't acting like he is hurting I would rather give him something to make sure he isn't.  Also with his neck problems and having to wear that collar with restricts his head movement I want to make sure he isn't hurting from that.  But as soon as go near the fridge he is right there alongside Katie looking for a carrot.  Nothing stops their appetite.  Puppy?  He is one of those big Pems but his face never seems to age unlike Katie where I can see she is getting older.

Bev...not sure when I will have the biopsy results, they said it would go out first thing this morning.  I would imagine I will have before we go back next Thursday for his post-op check up.  He's at least now figured out he can lay a bit on his good side and get part of his head all the way down to the floor...I think that makes him feel more comfortable.

Comment by Bev Levy on August 1, 2014 at 7:44am

When will you have the biopsy results? How is he doing? It is so difficult having a recuperating pup in the house, hope he is better soon!

Comment by Jane Christensen on August 1, 2014 at 7:40am

Aw Linda...he looks like almost a puppy on the pic. I understand wanting to sleep downstairs to keep him safe. I would think he might have some discomfort from the surgery and glad you gave him something for the pain. Glad he is home and on the mend!

Comment by Linda on August 1, 2014 at 7:22am

I always have problems trying to post pictures here.  Grrr!

Comment by Linda on August 1, 2014 at 7:21am

 photo maxsurg.jpg" target="_blank"><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/smidget5/media/maxsurg.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/smidget5/maxsurg.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo maxsurg.jpg"/></a>I slept on the couch last night. I could not get that damn expandable gate to stay in place to keep Max from trying to come up the stairs plus he was so restless all evening that I wanted to keep my eye on him. About 4 am I finally remembered what I did before to keep him from the stairs...the cedar chest. It's on casters and I can roll it to block the stairway. He can't actually get up the steps thanks to that collar but I don't want him even trying and risk having him fall and open up the stitches. He's more himself this morning but keeps looking at me with those big brown eyes asking me to take that damn collar off. He ate a good breakfast and I just tossed his meds in the bowl and down they went. He doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain but I gave him a half a Rimadyl just in case.

Comment by Linda on July 31, 2014 at 10:09pm

Chris....my husband built the ramp for Max because he has a calcification in his neck and he has to avoid stairs as much as possible.  The soft collar round collar makes it easy for him to eat and drink but the poor guy is not happy that he can't put his head down on the floor.  Max is a fluffy so once he coat grows back you'll never see it.  I did have him cut very short last week tho in anticipation of the surgery, just felt it would be easier on him.  I was figuring a week for the stitches but looks like it's going to be 2 weeks.  Thank goodness he is easy to give pills to tho.

Beth...I've been giving him food in small batches at a time so his tummy gets settled without dumping tons of food oni it all at once.  He is so happy to hear my hand rustle in the treat box and when I open the fridge he comes running to the kitchen for a carrot.

Comment by Jane Christensen on July 31, 2014 at 9:20pm

Glad he is home and in a couple days I bet he will be back to normal...or at least much better than he is right now! Bet he's enjoying his food:) Hopefully all tests will be fine I am sure the waiting will be difficult. Take care!

Comment by Chris Payerl on July 31, 2014 at 8:24pm
Glad to hear the patient is home and doing as well as can be expected. Be on the lookout for messing with his collar/incisions as he gets to feeling better. When the incision starts to heal, It will get itchy and then he will want to scratch at it. Ramps are great, aren't they? Sophie had a huge incision, too. She still has a bald spot on her chest that may never grow fur back again, but it doesn't show unless she rolls over for belly rubs.
Comment by Linda on July 31, 2014 at 6:44pm

Max is home, has a huge honking incision and drains.  He was staggering a bit when he first got home but he is doing better.  Gave him about half his normal dinner and he has been getting some biscuits to slowly get some food in his tummy.  I will give him some more kibble later while Katie is outside.

They are sending the large tumor out for testing.  Both vets involved in the surgery saw unusual things with it so best to have it biopsied.  It was not attached to anything but they found pockets of fluid within the fatty tissue which is not normal...so we shall see.

We go back next Thursday to have it check and then the following Thursday to have the stitches and drains out.  He hasn't fussed with the collar or tried to get it off....when we tried it on him a few days ago to make sure his collar fit right he wasn't the least bit concerned with it.  Brought him in the back way with the ramp, he can do the ramp ok but needs a little help getting his front paws up on it to start.  There will be no coming upstairs at bedtime.  I will probably sleep on the couch tonite.

Thank you all for your well wishes and sharing your stories...have to chuckle at the trial and tribulations of our vertically challenged pups.

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