My Holly
 

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

BTW, I love the new avatar.

:hug:

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.:hug:

All the best,
Chris

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)

OK, I'm doing the horrible babytalking puppy thing while looking at her pic...:confused: 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! :grouphug:

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. :hug:

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. :Heart:

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


Joyce and Sage :hug:

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..:D:hug:

:) 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.:hug:

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

:hug:

update when you can.

she is one beautiful dog. a big one to snuggle with.

Cheryl, Holly is one beautiful dog! I hope her surgery went well, and I hope her recovery goes smoothly. :Good-Luck:

Not Holly! Holly gonna have a boo-boo! My poor Holly dog! She may have anything she wants to eat. Give her a little bell to ring for when she wants something.

Hoping that all goods well for Holly and she feels better fast!

Poor Holly, and poor Cheryl - I know you'll be worried sick about her till she's back home with you. Luke, Chipper, and Yoda have paws crossed that everything goes smoothly. Lovely, wet, doggy smooches to you both.:grouphug:

Holly is home safe and sound with a bazillion staples in her side. She is doing ok.

Thanks everyone!

Now for the icky part. The lipoma was the size of a football! Our vet took pictures of it and it was HUGE! It took him an hour to get it out. Geez Louise it was gross! It was between two muscles layers and was only attached to the lower muscles for about 2 inches, which was good!

Holly is sleeping. She ate a little bit of food and had a little bit of water. She has her antibiotics and pain meds.

And no funny collar YET. If she doesn't leave the incision alone, she will get a collar!

Oh ewwwwwww on the size of the lipoma! That must have been sooo uncomfortable, regardless of how she handled it!! Glad to hear everything went ok! Let us know how it goes!

Now take YOUR meds and git to bed!!:p

Smoochies to our sweet Holly and FG too!

She was a brave lil trooper. Soo glad she's going to be ok, Cheryl.
They are really like kids. I worry about my older gal w/her Lymphoma, but every day she's here is a gift.

Hugs to you both. :hug::hug: Scratch her ear and under her chin for me. My doxie's like that!!

Oh she's going to feel so much better when she's all healed! You might have to hire a dog walker FG!! :hug:

Cheryl,
I'm so glad everything went well yesterday for your pup. Here's to a quick recovery for Holly. Give her an extra :hug: and treat from me.

Glad to know Baby's OK....How is Mommy?

Smooooooooches to Holly and Mommy too.http://home.earthlink.net/~sal.pal/s...tures/woof.gif

I'm glad that things went well for your pooch. My old Labrador (who looked a lot like Holly, pink nose and all) had several operations, and I was always amazed at her powers of recovery. Dogs are wonderful people...

:D Better than Most,

I am glad she's doing ok. She's up and eating, moving a little slow.

As for me! I am SICK again...:(

She had knee surgery a couple of years ago and when I went to the vet to pick her up, she practically dragged me out of the clinic. Two days later, we had her back in the clinic to replace the stitches and x-ray the knee because she had jumped over the back fence! We had to keep her sedated for the next 5 days!

She's a great dog.

Cheryl
I'm glad to hear Holly girl is home and healing. So sorry you are sick again. :(

Give her gentle hugs and keep her down as best you can. Maybe she can be your pillow and then both of you can rest.

:hug:

:) Cheryl: So happy to hear that Holly is doing good. But, not happy to hear that you are sick.

Please take care of yourself. Rest take your meds. The stress is probably what upset the body. Holly I am sure will be alright. Dogs are unbelieveable how fast they heal. I am sure Holly also feels your illness. You bought just cuddle together and love will heal.


Joyce and Sage :hug:

http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...i7868qlsv8.jpg



Is this you B4 or after the party???? :D

Feel better girlfriend.


PS: Have one for me tomorrow night.... What's that they say?? It'll either cure ya or kill ya!!!

Glad Holly is home and would you stop getting sick? You need to stay well for at least a week! Rest with Holly and feel better soon!

I'd love to be well for a week...shoot I'd love to well for a couple of days! this has been ridiculous! 3rd time since Thanksgiving! I have been in bed all day today.

:) Hi Cheryl,

As I like to tell people, "I don't mind being sick. It's being sick-sick that really gets me down." :eek:

Hope you start to feel better soon. At least you're staying in touch with us so we can all suffer right along with you.:wink:

Also, glad Holly is home and healing as well. A good time to keep her in bed with you for support and company. :hug:

Hi Cheryl. How is our Holly Girl today? Did you go to the parrtay and did you have fun? Are you up yet? Will you ever get up again?:D

I have been reading Cindy's siggy line a lot lately..:p

Holly is doing fine. Our biggest problem with her right now is keeping her from jumping over the fence!

Party was great! Had a good time, the food was wonderful! Yes, I am up! I've been up since 8:30! LOL! Although I am in bed...this dang sinus crap is driving me crazy! My head is about to explode today. I think I just might have to call the doc tomorrow...:(

Hi Cheryl~ Glad to hear Holly is ready for the sprint, but I'm concerned about you. Have you had an ENT check out your sinus prob? An MRI of your sinuses'?? Hope you can get some relief soon. Rest and lost of fluids *water, tea etc* :D

Glad you had a great time at the party..

{{{CHERYL}}}} [[[[[FG]]]]] (((((HOLLY)))))