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Biopsy vs. ultrasound

1K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  ZenChari 
#1 ·
About 3-4 weeks ago I noticed a soft "bump" on Hagan's left flank, about the size of the palm of my (small) hand but not too obvious (almost too small for a picture); it's only noticeable looking at him from above when he's standing perfectly straight but we took him to the vet then anyway, he said he was not concerned since he's not in pain..."maybe just love handles", which I thought was weird (Hagan's not overweight and it's on just one side) but we all decided to wait and see.

Today I feel like the bump has gotten a little bigger (my husband also thinks it's nothing, just me being a nervous mom), so I called the vet anyway and requested further testing. The tech calls me back and says that the vet wants to do a needle biopsy and not an ultrasound (which was my idea) because the US "will not show anything". REALLY?

I'm very reluctant to stick my dog before doing less invasive tests first...never heard of an US not showing soft tissue masses, so I told the tech that I'll take Hagan somewhere else. Of course she calls right back and says that the vet will send a referral for an US to the specialists that I had mentioned to them before (Blue Pearl in Sandy Springs, Georgia).

My husband thinks that there's no need to rush and that this is probably nothing, so now I'm second guessing myself for doubting the vet's recommendation and for worrying too much. Please let me hear your opinions of what would you do if it was your dog. Hagan is my "special needs" fur-kid with hypothyroidism and von Willebrand's disease, so I tend to be a little overprotective sometimes. But I rather err on the side of caution and find out that it's indeed nothing. Looking forward to reading your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
 
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#2 ·
I wonder if it could be a lipoma, aka "fatty tumor"? They are generally benign, although they can be removed if they bother the dog. (My Gin had a large one removed.) A fine needle aspirate is a fast way to determine if a lump is a fatty tumor. Just like it sounds, a fine gauge needle is inserted into the mass, some tissue is pulled out, and examined under a microscope.
 
#4 ·
Thank you so much for your responses! I figured it could be a lipoma also (best case scenario, trying to think positive)...but it is the diagnostic METHOD that makes me nervous: the less invasive, the better for my vWD boy (I always worry about the potential for prolonged bleeding)! Also, it was very puzzling to hear them tell me than an ultrasound would show "nothing". :confused:
 
#5 ·
An ultrasound would show a lump, but likely not show what the lump is made of. The needle used for the biopsy isn't any larger than what's used for a vaccine, and is the least invasive means of determining what kind of cells are inside the lump.
 
#6 ·
Again, thank you for helping me think with a clearer mind (I can be a nervous wreck when it comes to Hagan). I just scheduled the biopsy for this Wednesday...so grateful for this forum! :)
 
#7 ·
I totally get your wanting to do least invasive first.

Have they run a superchem on him to see how the liver/kidneys are functioning?
 
#8 ·
I'd have it aspirated. The needle is so small it's less invasive than any kind of vaccination or microchipping etc. The great thing is your vet will most likely have an answer for you in just minutes too, unless it's suspicious and they want to send it off to a lab. It's also very inexpensive. My vet charges something like $25 for the procedure and as my guy is getting older, 8yrs, I have new lumps checked regularly.
 
#9 ·
Thank you for the reassurance! Not having to wait forever for the results is great, and it also helps to save some money (we can't insure him because of the vWD, and anytime he goes to the specialists is a ton of cash). We do trust our vet but I can get skeptical at times! ;)
 
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#10 ·
The test for bleeding at the time of surgery is more invasive than using a needle to aspirate the lump and retrieve cells for analysis. The buccal mucosa test involves nicking the inside of the mouth (often the inner lip) and check how long it takes to clot - that's the test that was always performed on my hypothyroid, vWD +ve, Liver compromised, seizure prone boy.

Get the fine needle aspirate done and know you will get results of what is there and not just "yes, there really is a lump".
 
#12 ·
My husband thinks that there's no need to rush and that this is probably nothing, so now I'm second guessing myself for doubting the vet's recommendation and for worrying too much. Please let me hear your opinions of what would you do if it was your dog. Hagan is my "special needs" fur-kid with hypothyroidism and von Willebrand's disease, so I tend to be a little overprotective sometimes. But I rather err on the side of caution and find out that it's indeed nothing. Looking forward to reading your thoughts. Thanks in advance![/QUOTE]
What ever you decision is I am hoping for the BEST results and a 'side bar' to the above quote.. I don't think there's any such thing as 'worrying too much.' Particularly when you have issues to think about.. smooches to the pooches!!
 
#13 ·
What ever you decision is I am hoping for the BEST results and a 'side bar' to the above quote.. I don't think there's any such thing as 'worrying too much.' Particularly when you have issues to think about.. smooches to the pooches!![/QUOTE]

Thank you!!! Hagan had the biopsy done yesterday (uneventfully) and all our vet found were "fat" cells...what a relief! :D
 
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