Poor Tango had to go into the vets on Tuesday to have a tumour removed from the skin on her abdomen. The needle biopsy results had suggested that it was a plasma cytoma so it needed to come off so come off it did. Whilst she was under the general, she also had x rays taken of her shoulder joint, which has a lump on it. We were concerned it may also be a tumour...but the good news is that it isn't. The vets think that she has had a break at some point, that hasn't been treated and so arthritis has developed and new bone has grown over the injury site, bless her. She already takes Cod Liver Oil and we will now start her on Glucosamine and possibly in the future Green Lipped Mussel.
The tumour is now in Cambridge being analysed in great detail for the Flat Coated Retriever tumour survey. I can't thank the lady who spoke to me on the phone about sorting out where the tumour went and how it went there, enough. She remembered me from the last time I needed a form and was supportive, helpful and kind. I think the tumour survey is a fantastic thing. We are lucky as a breed to have it happening for our dogs (although the tip side of that is that we need it of course). My vets are amazed by it and think it is brilliant as apparently not enough research happens in vet medicine, according to them. On a personal level it is amazing to be able to chat to someone with so much experience of Flat Coat lumps and bumps when you are going through what is such a worrying time.
Tango is now feeling better and is having to be kept calm...not easy. The vet is pleased with the wound and the horrible bruise on her neck (pictured) has now gone, they had trouble taking the bloods they needed apparently. The results should be back from Cambridge at some point next week...and the stitches are out next Friday. We have everything crossed it is benign.
