My dog needs help What do I do?

Question

I love my boys. The big one is 12 years old He is a shepheard/labrador mix, so 12 is old for him
On his back right leg between his belly and the leg there is a soft "thing" growing. It feels like a water balloon. The scarier part is, its getting bigger fast.
I am on disability and very broke. What can I do?

Answer 1

Sounds like a fatty tumor. Call around and see if there is a vet clinic in your area which offers a sliding fee scale. If he's 12 there isn't much that they will do. Our beagle had one for years...wasn't what sent her to heaven.

Answer 2

It sounds like a fatty tumor. It is usually non-cancerous, and very common as dogs grow older. However, without an exam by a vet then you cannot tell for sure. Depending on where you live a vet visit for and exam will prob be about $40-50, and they may do a fine needle aspirate which could cost about $20. A fine needle aspirate is where they stick a small needle into the tumor to find out what cells are growing in there. Then they look at it under the microscope. If they see anything abnormal, then they will give you your options at that time. The fact that the lump is growing in size, is a little troubling. Most fatty tumors do not grow large very fast, but then again it is always possible. They are also commonly refered to as a lipoma. Most people do not take them off unless they are causing a problem, or the vet seems to think that it is something other than a lipoma(fatty tumor). Most lumps that are non-cancerous do not grow more than double it's size in a year. If the lump grows more than that within 1 month, then you meed to have a vet check it asap. It could also be an abcess froma dog bite, or other wound, and that needs medical attention right away. There is nothing that you can do at home to fix any of these problems, sorry. Good luck to you. Try the link below, and do a search for lipoma.

Answer 3

This sounds like the sort of tumor many old dogs get, and is normally harmless. However, as it appears to be growing rapidly, you really do need to have a vet check it out. Usually, what they will do is stick a needle in it and aspirate the liquid out of it and then take a good look at the liquid to see if it is something serious or not. The whole procedure can be done in the vet's office and should not cost more than a regular office visit.

Because of the dog's age, chances are that even if it is somethng serious (cancerous), your option may well be to let him live with it until it starts causing him pain, and then it will be time to help him to the Rainbow Bridge (euthanasia). Since you really can't afford the vet visit, you may opt for this anyway.

Of course, I am sure there will be those who really don't like this answer, and will say that by all means, you MUST take him to the vet and have it checked out and all the other attendant things that go with a tumor of any kind on any pet, but I am willing to bet that this is a pet you have had for a long time now, perhaps even since before you became disabled, and chances are that the vet isn't going to really be able to do much of anything for him anyway. The decision is ultimately yours and yours alone.

Meanwhile, are you in a large metropolitan area? If so, check and see if there is a low cost vet or shelter who will help you with the expenses of treating your dog. Or talk to your vet and explain your situation. Sometimes vets have funds set up by other clients who have lost a dear pet and want to help others who can't afford to pay for medical treatment for their pets. You won't know if you don't ask, and if there is something like that, you may be able to help you old guy. I run a greyhound rescue, and got the surprise of my life just last week when a woman called and donated a large quantity of very expensive medication for one of our permanent fosters (can't adopt her out because she has very serious health issues). It turns out that her greyhound was on this medication and finally lost his battle. She already had paid for the medication and didn't want to see it go to waste.

Anyway, good luck, and I hope it turns out to be a benign fluid tumor. Please email me and I will give you some information regarding other medications for fleas, and heartworm prevention that can save you some $$$. my email is [e-mail]. Just mention Answers in the subject line so I know who is emailing.

Answer 4

Soft, motile lumps are usually lipomas, or fatty tumors, as they are sometimes called. The thing that concerns me though is that you say it is growing quickly. It really should be looked at. Try calling your local shelter for advice on a low-cost clinic in your area. Also look for Purina's "Pets for People" program which might assist you because of your disability. I haven't worked with them for about ten years, but I think they are still around. If those won't help, e-mail me through my profile and I'll see if I can help. Good luck!

Answer 5

Definitely take him to a vet, and see if you can work with them about setting up a payment plan. A lot of dogs that age get fatty tumors, which can be a nusciance but are not life threatening. The only way to know, though, is to see a vet.

Answer 6

It is probably a fatty cystic growth (I hope), coz my 10 yr. old Labx had one removed 1 1/2 yrs. ago. Think it's the same general location too, inner thigh of leg
I'm on fixed income also, cost $500 ($800 other vets), but I got a discount for being an animal rescuer & some local registered rescue orgs. helped a bit too ( maybe your area also has non-profit, no-kill reg. grps. that'll assist, find out)
It was benign, but must have weighted 2 lbs., (saw if afterwards in a bag, wow!) so for comfort sake wanted it removed after all the blood work was done on the senior dog.
The only thing that concerns me is that you said it's growing rapidly,.....how fast? My vet did a good job getting it all out, but informed me that my Lab had hip arthritis, so is on Metacam for that. But all this comes with age.
Usually, by a few months time a growth gets noticable, it may not be growing as fast as you think.
Pls. consult a vet. Hope this helps. It is probably a fatty cystic growth (I hope), coz my 10 yr. old Labx had one removed 1 1/2 yrs. ago. Think it's the same general location too, inner thigh of leg
I'm on fixed income also, cost $500 ($800 other vets), but I got a discount for being an animal rescuer & some local registered rescue orgs. helped a bit too ( maybe your area also has non-profit, no-kill reg. grps. that'll assist, find out)
It was benign, but must have weighted 2 lbs., (saw if afterwards in a bag, wow!) so for comfort sake wanted it removed after all the blood work was done on the senior dog.
The only thing that concerns me is that you said it's growing rapidly,.....how fast? My vet did a good job getting it all out, but informed me that my Lab had hip arthritis, so is on Metacam for that. But all this comes with age.
Usually, by a few months time a growth gets noticable, it may not be growing as fast as you think.
Pls. consult a vet. Hope this helps

Answer 7

He needs to see a vet, find one that will take payments. You could also take him to a local shelter, he would get vet care there.

Answer 8

Go to the Humane Society and explain your position.