[tovaxin_lab_rat]

My lab, Holly, is having major surgery in the morning. She has a very large lipoma on her left side that's about the size of two grapefruits side by side. It just keeps getting larger and its time for it to be removed.

It's starting to interfere with her hind leg movement and it's intramuscular, which is dangerous. It's so big that it's starting to sag and we think it's interferring with her eating. She's lost a lot of weight over the past couple of months.

Tomorrow morning she goes under to have it removed and the recovery period is about 6 weeks. She's not going to be a happy lab for a few days. It's going to be hard keeping her down.

These are usually benign so we aren't worried about it being malignant, just that it may be more involved than on face value.

[MSacorn]

Cheryl
All the best to Holly. I'm sure her surgery will go well. Keeping her down as she recovers sounds doable What an adorable pup. Give her a big hug and a scratch in her fav place.

BTW, I love the new avatar.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Av8rgirl

My lab, Holly, is having major surgery in the morning. She has a very large lipoma on her left side that's about the size of two grapefruits side by side. It just keeps getting larger and its time for it to be removed.

It's starting to interfere with her hind leg movement and it's intramuscular, which is dangerous. It's so big that it's starting to sag and we think it's interferring with her eating. She's lost a lot of weight over the past couple of months.

Tomorrow morning she goes under to have it removed and the recovery period is about 6 weeks. She's not going to be a happy lab for a few days. It's going to be hard keeping her down.

These are usually benign so we aren't worried about it being malignant, just that it may be more involved than on face value.

Awwwww, Cheryl she's a lovely pup! I'll be thinking of her today. We have a chocolate lab named Dylan who is 6 years old. He had 2 kidney stones removed 2 years ago. He actually did quite well except for the cone they put on his muzzle afterwards to make sure he wouldn't lick his wound the first 2 days. He was acting terribly irritated afterwards until we realised it was the cone rather than the surgery that had him so irritated so we removed it and he did fine.

Hugs to both you and Holly for a good outcome and an easy surgery today. Let us know the results of her frozen section as soon as you hear. I'm sure it will be benign.

All the best,
Chris

[Erin524]

Hope she does/did? ok in her surgery.

My dog, TinyMonsters (he died in March 2006) had a huge lipoma on his right side right next to a kidney. I think the lipoma was about the size of a marble shooter.

I dont think he had any problems with it, but he did die of kidney failure. We never had a necropsy done (suspicious that he'd been poisoned, but his bloodtests didnt reveal anything) This was about a year before the poisoned Chinese dog food problem started. (who's to say it didnt start earlier than was reported?)

I sometimes wonder if his lipoma went bad or something (generally they're a benign condition and dont cause the dog problems unless they're in a weird location)

My aunt's pug, Pudge, has a big lipoma in her right front "armpit". It's a bit disturbing to feel it there, but she doesnt seem to have a problem with it. (she is getting arthritis from injuries she got from being run over by a minivan, attacked by 3 separate dogs...two of the dogs were together, but one of the dogs was a repeat offender, and she's been bit by a black widow spider at least once) She's a great dog, and hopefully her lipoma wont cause her any problems as she gets older (she's 10)

TinyMonsters and Pudge were the best of friends. Pudge was really protective of Tiny. (yeah, weird that the little dog would jump up to protect the big guy, you'd think it'd been the big dog protecting the little dog...but Tiny was a big wuss) So, I'm hoping that Pudge sticks around with my aunt for a long long time. That little pug is my dog surrogate. I borrow her sometimes when I feel the need for to toss a toy goose across the room for a dog to go chasing after it. (gave her the toy goose for Xmas. She pretty much plays with it exclusively now)

[Riverwild]

Originally Posted by Av8rgirl

My lab, Holly, is having major surgery in the morning. She has a very large lipoma on her left side that's about the size of two grapefruits side by side. It just keeps getting larger and its time for it to be removed.

It's starting to interfere with her hind leg movement and it's intramuscular, which is dangerous. It's so big that it's starting to sag and we think it's interferring with her eating. She's lost a lot of weight over the past couple of months.

Tomorrow morning she goes under to have it removed and the recovery period is about 6 weeks. She's not going to be a happy lab for a few days. It's going to be hard keeping her down.

These are usually benign so we aren't worried about it being malignant, just that it may be more involved than on face value.

OK, I'm doing the horrible babytalking puppy thing while looking at her pic... Poor Holly!

I bet the vet puts one of those cones on her after the surgery to keep her from disturbing the surgery site. That should actually help to quiet her a bit. I know after a few hours with it on my Newfie just laid there and glared at me for DAYS!!

I had to move everything breakable when the Smokey had it on. He was barreling into everything! That's why he was glaring! It was soooo beneath his dignity and he was embarrassed when he knocked into stuff!

Let us know how it goes, Cheryl and Holly!

[Jappy]

Originally Posted by Av8rgirl

My lab, Holly, is having major surgery in the morning. She has a very large lipoma on her left side that's about the size of two grapefruits side by side. It just keeps getting larger and its time for it to be removed.

It's starting to interfere with her hind leg movement and it's intramuscular, which is dangerous. It's so big that it's starting to sag and we think it's interferring with her eating. She's lost a lot of weight over the past couple of months.

Tomorrow morning she goes under to have it removed and the recovery period is about 6 weeks. She's not going to be a happy lab for a few days. It's going to be hard keeping her down.

These are usually benign so we aren't worried about it being malignant, just that it may be more involved than on face value.

Cheryl and to Holly : I am sure everything is going to be all right. Mine and Sage (my puppy) thoughts and wishes are with you.

Keep us up to date on her progress. Sage is going the 23rd of Jan. to be fixed. That has me worried also. Surgery is surgery. We are just mothers worried about our children.

People that don't have pets cannot understand how we pet lovers think about our pets. They are family.


Joyce and Sage

[SallyC]

Awwwwwwwww, dammit. I hate when our babies have to have an operation. Try to stay calm, Cheryl.

She is adorable..

Sending Hugs and kisses....Oh, and a hug for you too, Cheryl..

[HSPCraig]

Hi Cheryl,

I'm a sucker for dogs and especially when they are ill. We treat our two dogs like members of the family including letting them sleep in bed with us.

I'm sorry to hear that your Holly is going to have to go through surgery but better now then later. Is your vet confident he can remove all of it without causing residual damage to the muscles? I'm sure he will Rx something to keep Holly sedated for the first couple of days which should make things easier on you. Are you at home all day to take care of her?

Keep us informed on Holly's progress and the surgery. You and Holly will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[ewizabeth]

Poor poor Holly! I hope the surgery went ok Cheryl. Give the poor baby a gentle hug from me.

[DM]

Hi Cheryl!!! How's Holly? Did she have the surgery yet?? She is so pretty. I too, am a poochie lover. My two doxies send smoochies and kisses to her.

Take care Cheryl and let us know how she's doing!