Hi everyone I have a 12 year old yorkie, she has slipping knee cap and the other day on a visit to the vets they found a big lump in her breast . I was disgusted that I had not picked up on it sooner and neither did the vet when they saw her the week before. They have booked her back in to be seen in a week and a half, but yesterday I found another one and it si around the same size. I am really scared I am going to lose her. I have had her since she was born and her mum before her. If anyone can help prepare me for the worst and what else it may be i would be greatful. many thanks
Kerry x
2007-04-27 04:07:49 · 10 answers · asked by kerry 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
First question: is the dog spayed?
I'm afraid one of the common afflictions of older unspayed b itches is mammary tumours. They need to be surgically removed and tested for malignancy - I'm afraid they usually are malignant, which means they will regrow. I met a female german shepherd the other day with a mammary tumour the size of a melon, which had become abscessed. She's OK in herself at the moment, but the tumour is going to come back.
If the tumour hasn't spread and it is possible to remove all the cancerous cells then your dog may be fine - the trouble with mammary tumours is that they are near the lungs, so it's not much of a stretch for the cancer cells to spread to there.
Spaying is also recommended treatment, as it limits the possibility of regrowth by removing the sex hormones. B itches spayed at a young age do not get mammary tumours, but once they are older spaying does not have such an effect, but it does help.
Sorry to give you this news - I could be wrong of course, but I think it is the likely diagnosis if your dog is not spayed. Of course if she is spayed, it is more likely to be something like a mast cell tumour, or another lump that is usually benign.
Good luck,
Chalice
2007-04-27 04:18:30 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although there is nothing much I can add to the excellent answers and support already given by the wonderful people on here, I just want to tell you this. Some years ago, a little female doggie (Tashy), belonging to neighbours, had exactly the same problem as your Yorkie. Our vet removed the lumps immediately (benign cancer) and that little 'girl' lived to 19, I believe!!!
Always try to look on the positive side. I know it's easy for me to say that to you but, if Tashy was a success, your Yorkie should be no different. She's only 12; no age for a Yorkie! We all wish her 100% good health, it's still been caught in time, and may she live for many years yet.
2007-04-27 19:35:02 · answer #2 · answered by Mozey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is an old dog - and lots of old dogs get big fatty growths - my last dog had a couple on her chest/ rib area by the time she was a similar age, but they never proved a problem.
There isn't much point in preparing yourself for the worst, 'cos i don't think it's possible to. I think whenever you lose a life long furry companion it always feels like the worst thing that's ever happened - pets (generally) need more care and attention than people, as they can never tell you if they feel ill and it often comes out of the blue. Make sure you talk to your friends/ loved ones if your yorkie does go to the big kennel in the sky - most intelligent people who have lost a pet will sympathise completely.
2007-04-27 14:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by originalfinchy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lumps could be anything. I work in Breast Care (NHS) and there are many reasons why females have lumps in the breast, it isn't always the big C (applies to dogs too!). They could easily be fibroadenoma's (fibrous lumps of tissue) or cysts (fatty lumps). You didn't say if the vet indicated if they were 'fixed' or not, if they are free moving then that's a good sign. Hopefully they will be doing tests to determine what the lumps are. Fingers crossed for you - don't automatically think the worst, as I said there are more than one condition that cause breast lumps.
2007-04-27 11:15:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you dog was not spayed she may have mamary cancer.
The good news is that they can remove it and she may have time left. The surgery to remove the tumors is not to bad and many dogs live years after having it removed. It depends on if it has spread eslewhere in her body.
Or it could also be just fatty tumors. Many dogs get lumps and they are benign meaning not cancerous and they can be removed and the dog is fine. Sometimes they get more of them but they are not bad just lumpy.
I hope all goes well for your girl. She is lucky to have had such a long life with you.
2007-04-27 11:14:38 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My mom had a 14 year old poodle who had the same kinda lumps. She had breast cancer. The vet removed her bottom four breast and gave her a hysterectomy, she had to take medicine for a while, then she was fine. Abigale lived to be 19 years old. Good luck. I hope your baby gets better real soon.
2007-04-27 11:18:23 · answer #6 · answered by Cresha B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be nothing, my dog had a lump near her breast and it was nothing, she lived with it for years. Be positive because it really might be nothing.
2007-04-27 17:51:09 · answer #7 · answered by jane 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are likely mammary gland tumors. Sometimes they are benign sometimes they are cancerous. You won't know until they are removed. Twelve is not "old" for a Yorkie so keep the faith!
2007-04-27 11:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by Sally B 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It may only be a fatty cyst. Don't panic but prepare for the worse.
2007-04-27 11:12:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well at this point in the dogs life there is nothing more pleasing than throwing it in front of a semi.
2007-04-27 11:15:47 · answer #10 · answered by sub 73 2 · 0⤊ 5⤋