Phew!!!!

Sebaceous cyst….   

come on… say it with me now…….

sebaceousssssssssssssssssssssssssss cyst!!!!

Apparently.. that is what Wilson has…   it is “above” the skin… and not below the skin like the masticized tumour he had was…   Dr. Hill said that if it was the same type of growth, it would be under the skin.  To keep an eye on it for a week or two and see if it changes.,..

But because it was 3/4″ away from the incision of his M*A*S*H operation, yes.. it freaked me out…   My one side of me was saying.. “NO.. get rid of it.. he can’t have any more bumps like that because what it it will spread to his liver.. his spleen?  Take it off NOW!!!!”  And the other part of me said… “Chick….  calm down… not all lumps and bumps are cancerous, and some are fairly innocent and do not warrant immediate surgery!!”   So.. he basically drew me a drawing of lumps and bumps.. lol

I have to remind myself that not every lump or bump on your dog will be a tumor.

I found this info….  Some superficial bumps are due simply to plugged oil glands in the skin, called sebaceous cysts. Skin cysts can be composed of dead cells or even sweat or clear fluid; these often rupture on their own, heal, and are never seen again. Others become chronically irritated or infected, and should be removed and then checked by a pathologist just to be sure of what they are. Some breeds, especially the Cocker Spaniel, are prone to developing sebaceous cysts. 

 And yes, the sebaceous glands in the skin do occasionally develop into tumors called sebaceous adenomas.  According to Richard Dubielzig, DVM, of the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine, “Probably the most commonly biopsied lump from dog skin is a sebaceous adenoma. This does not mean it is the most commonly occurring growth, just that it is most commonly biopsied.” Fortunately this type of skin growth rarely presents trouble after being surgically removed. 

 So how are you to know which lumps and bumps are dangerous and which can be left alone? Truthfully, you are really only guessing without getting the pathologist involved. Most veterinarians take a conservative approach to the common lipomas and remove them if they are growing rapidly or are located in a sensitive area.  

Did I over-react?  I don’t think so… we all know once we deal with this stupid cancer shit… we tend to possible be more on guard with our future four legged kids..   AND… since he has already had a mass removed.. I guess I am going to be more on guard with him in the future.  What doesn it hurt?  Free vet visits for checkups of lumps and bumps..  an hour or two off work to run for an appointment ocassionally…   no problems.. I can handle that.

Thank you all for your calm words, keep my sanity, and over the cyberspace hugs and prayers… they really do work!!

I know.. I will worry about something when there is something to worry about….. but.. that doens’t mean I can’t FREAK OUT in the meantime… !!!!

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bark atcha later!

Author: Christine

I'm Canadian eh? living in Southwestern Ontario. My crew consists of my sweetie Fred, my son (25yrs) and my daughter (22yrs) as well as our 4 legged kids, Maggie (12yrs) and Wilson (1year). Franklin was my sweet boy who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2012. His leg was amputated on December 4, 2012. He was the cutest tripawd on this planet. He was happy every day. His tail was always wagging. Lung Mets took him from us on May 15, 2013. Rainbow bridge became a happier place with his arrival. We miss him terribly everyday. We lost our kitty in September 2012. Diesel, who was 18 1/2 years old when he passed at home, was (and still is) the Godfather. He is missed terribly by all. They are curled up together sleeping at the bridge under the stars, happy to be sleeping buddies again.

8 thoughts on “Phew!!!!”

  1. YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

    We all understand “over reacting” perfectly!! I’ve had dogs through the years with those “under the skin lumps” and that’s all they ever were! That was great info. you posted.

    That PICTURE!!!!!! If that isn’t the sweetest thing in the world!!!

    Okay Wilson, and Maggie too, no more worrying your mom!!! Santa will be watching so no more naughty scares, okay? Okay!!

    Love to you all!

    Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

  2. GREAT NEWS!!!! This reminds me of something I went through w/Shelby several months before her cancer diagnosis… she had a black spot on her ear and I had it removed and while we were waiting for the lab results, the vet had said the C word. I was petrified. It came back to be nothing but still that feeling stuck with me.

    Like you – I will look at EVERY little thing on Jasper – always and be as prepped as we can be…

    So happy Wilson is great and on the mend! Lots of love!

  3. That’s wonderful news!!! I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious but I do understand the paranoia of expecting something to go wrong with our precious one’s health.

    From the pic Mr. Wilson is just chillin out like he knows there’s nothing going on. Oh to be a pup!

    HUGS
    Sahana and her Angel Leland

  4. Yay Yay & More Yay. Lumps & bumps is what we get to check out all the time. Better to be proactive then reactive. Don’t feel bad I think every time the vet tells me something or takes a long time to come back into the room its going to be the nasty “c” word. Not paranoia just with what we have gone through normal. (or as normal as we can be)

    I love this picture of Mr Wilson. 🙂

    Hugs
    Michelle & Angel Sassy

  5. What a relief for sure….those lumps and bumps can forever drive us insane…..So glad Wilson is ok and I love this sweet pic of him.

    Love,
    Bonnie & Angel Polly

  6. B-9 B-9 B-9 B-9….thats exactly what we like to hear!!!!
    Woohoo Wilson!!! Lets hear it for sebaceous cysts! I have one of those too. Totally understand your mama freakin’ out ’cause my mama does too every time she finds a lump on one of us.

    No more lumps!
    xoxox,
    Codie Rae and the OP

  7. AWESOME! This is a relief Christine, I’m so hoppy for you guys!!!

    Wyatt had an impacted hair follicle earlier this year. We too panicked, paid $800 to have it removed only to be told it was basically a ZIT! Well, way better than cancer of course! But an $800 hair follicle….ugh!

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