Large lump and abnormal blood test results

Hello, this is my first post, I found your site whilst looking for help for my daughter, who at the moment is distraught. Her eight year old rescue staffie developed a lump/swelling on her side about 10 days ago, quite small at the time. Over the weekend it has increased in size quite markedly, although she has shown no signs of illness or distress and is eating normally and being her usual happy, boisterous self. The lump has also become what my daughter describes as " crusty" over the last 24 hrs. The vet has worried my daughter to death by pronouncing the lump very sinister, and today she was taken in for it to be removed. Blood test before surgery showed abnormal bilirubin, raised to what the vet says is the high side of normal, a reading of 13. They have given her a small meal and are re testing to see if levels are more raised before the lump is removed. Does anyone know what this could be, we are all so worried. Thank you.

Hey! Could you post any photos of the lump? I have some experience - some being cancerous and some being fatty lumps. Vet will be your best bet however. Sorry to hear about this any lumps are always such a worry x

Hello Rachel33, thanks for your reply. I don't have a pic of the lump, my daughter says Cleo ( yes, I have adopted the dog's name as my username!) has shown no signs of being aware of it at all, it's in the middle of her side and was tiny at first but has now grown rapidly to about 3cm across. It's not a smooth lump which I believe has concerned the vet, as this probably suggests a malignancy. But do cancers grow that fast in only a few days? She appears fit and well and has had no digestive upsets of any kind, normal stools etc.

What colour is the lump? And is it shiny or scabby? My girl had a lump on her hind leg that grew within weeks - it was black and shiny, looked taut almost like it was covered in film, she ignored it for a while and then began to chew it - otherwise was no different in eating/bowel/exercise habits. Hers turned out to be a grade 6 malignant melanoma unfortunately, but we removed it quickly and it luckily hadn't spread to lungs/lymph nodes, and hasn't returned (3 years later.) Since she had had 2 more lumps of similar colour, they didn't grow as quickly - both turned out to be fatty lumps fortunately.

Best bet is to get it and all surrounding tissues excised and tested ASAP, hope it goes well xxx

How worrying for you all, I do hope its all ok xx

Thank you for your good wishes Inez Maria, they are much appreciated x
Rachel, the lump is round, and was pink, the same colour as her skin, but has since turned more red. The skin over the lump isn't like a true scab if you see what I mean, but is sloughy, a bit scaly in appearance.
Cleo is now back home and has to go back on Friday for removal, as the vet didn't risk the anaesthetic after having given her some food to re- assess her liver function. She remains full of beans, had her tea when she got home and is now sleeping her adventure off, meanwhile my daughter needs a tranquilliser and a large glass of something! x

Can imagine you're all going out of your minds the amount of times I cried with worry and Bug just carried on running around like a loon - love that about dogs, staffies in particular. Good luck for the op on Friday, and hope it's nothing serious. Keep us updated! Thoughts are with you xx

Thank you, it really helps to talk to fellow doggie nuts, Cleo is the first Staffie in the family but we have always had dogs. My last was a crazy Jack Russell who lived to 21 last year and broke my heart. I will let you know what happens on Friday, just hope we are not waiting in agony for results over the Christmas period! x

Hope all goes well on Friday and fingers crossed things aren't as bad as they seem just now. Please do let us know what happens.

Hello Rachel, Inez Maria and Ian, Cleo is back home after her surgery and recovering well, although going full on for the sympathy vote as a good Staffie should! She's obviously a bit sore, but has managed a light meal and is enjoying being fussed over. My daughter says the wound is about three times the size of the lump but of course the vet will have made sure of a wide margin in case it turns out to be nasty. She's been given some Metacam, check up on Monday. Pathology results may not be till after the Xmas break, I will post updates as soon as I know. Again, many thanks for your support, it has helped so much. XXX

Great news that Cleo is back home where she belongs. I'm sure she will milk the love and attention as well she should too bless her.

It's a wise move to get it excised as soon as possible and fingers crossed it will turn out to be harmless. Wishing you all a Happy Christmass

So glad she is home and doing ok, yes do keep us updated and we are here anytime. Xxx

So glad she's home and resting - did they say how long she's off exercise for? Last time for Bug it was 6 weeks and she went batty, though it was removed from quite an awkward place that tore when she moved fingers crossed for positive results, and we're all here if you ever need a chat/rant/cry! Stick around the forum in general too if you like it's a friendly place! Xxx

Hi everyone, Cleo is being spoiled rotten and loving it, she had a bit of a bad night last night, cried a lot, she must have been in pain but the Metacam is only prescribed once a day. She's had chicken and rice today, and a short gentle walk. Her wound is probably in the best place it could be Rachel, away from anywhere she could accidently strain, and she can't reach it to lick or scratch! She's had a rough time, in May she was attacked by another Staffie who ran across a road to get to her, out of the blue. Cleo was on her lead at the time with my daughter and her husband who had to beat it off and pick Cleo up to try to get her out of the other dogs jaws. She had her soft underbelly punctured right through the muscle several times and then the wounds got infected and broke down, weeping pus and fluid non stop for two weeks. Poor lamb, she is such a gentle, good natured dog who loves everyone. She knows she is loved by us all.

Aww poor Cleo, she really has been through it this year bless her.

I really hope for her sake and all of yours that this is the end of her troubles and she can relax and be the happy contented dog that she sounds to be. I echo Rachel's thoughts, do stick around and give us updates on her and if you feel like it, have a general chat 

Hope cleo gets well soon and heals well hope the biopsy turns out ok.

Oh Cleo hope she is soon back to normal, we do so worry about them

Hi everyone, Cleo has had her wound check, that's fine, and she is cleared to have a proper walk. She seems to know, she's raring to go! I will let you know her results soon as, in the meantime I will stick around and look further round the site. Thank you all for your advice and support, and have a great Christmas with your furry pals. Cleo will be getting a great big bone and some treats from Santa! xxx

Aww glad she can now go out for her walks, yes do let us know the results. Have a very merry xmas and do stick around x

So pleased to hear Cleo is healing well. Have a great Christmas too 

Hello all, Cleo's test results are back, the lump was benign! My daughter was in tears of relief, and Cleo was rewarded with a huge pigs trotter which she has enjoyed very much. Thank you all again for being so concerned and caring and supportive, I will stay on the forum as it is so friendly and informative. I'm also going to get my daughter to join, she is currently a member of some Staffie fan club pages on Facebook, in fact Cleo has her own Facebook page and quite a few friends, both human and doggie! Thanks for sharing in my good news, Happy New Year to everyone. xxx

What fab news I am so pleased for you all. Yes do stick around and look foward to seeing your daughter here aswell. Happy new year to you also xx

Yay brilliant news

brilliant news

Fantastic news x