Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wrote here a few months ago about Dakota winning Bingo with a B9--and his lump was the way you describe Zeus's. Dakota's is about the size of an egg. It has grown, but it is benign, just a lipoma.
Karen said a lot of important things, but the most important to me would be whether or not it would change treatment. Zeus is already getting chemo. If the lump were a cancerous tumor, what would the treatment options be? If they wouldn't change, then maybe you can let out a big breath and say you are going to be ok with not knowing. Have you considered phoning the vet and asking them hypothetically what treatment would be offered if Zeus developed a tumor now?
Zeus is not a doddering senior, but he's not a pup, either. At some point the testing and so forth probably will make him want to tell you to buzz off. But only you know Zeus and if he's at that point. If he's good with one more stick, then maybe this is the time to do it.
If you get it checked out, let us know. We'll all join in the Bingo chorus of B9.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you guys analyze things and think the same way that we do about the process. The things you have said about considering what our decision would be if it came back and was not benign are exactly what we have been weighing.
Yes, he is a "mature" dog . I just feel in my heart that we wouldn't do anything to treat it. I know that sounds crazy after all of the heroic measures we have taken to fight this OSA, but I just truly believe it would be unfair to him to heap more onto the pile. Don't get me wrong, I think he has done fabulous with the amputation and chemo and I would not change one decision that we have made. But, at some point I think we just have to decide that he is currently happy (SOOOO happy) and that we just need to let him stay that way.
Dakota Dawg, thank you so much for posting. It gives me comfort to know the size of Dakota's 'egg'. All of Zeus' past lumps have been the size of a walnut or smaller. This one seems to be twice that size, so it is comforting to hear that those big ones can still be benign!
I think we are just going to be oblivious for now. His next chemo is in two weeks and I will probably ask Dr. R to feel it and give me a guess, but probably won't do anything invasive for testing.
Thank you all again. I have been known to shed a few tears over the kindness shown to us by this community and now seems to be one of those times. You are all gems!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I'm in the B9 camp. Keeping paws and fingers crossed for Zeus. My monkeydog Matti has two HUGE lipomas. One on her chest is a little smaller than a baseball. One on her neck that is more oblong-ish feeling and about 1-1/2" wide. They are squishy and move around like they aren't really attached to anything. Never had them biopsied because the vet believes they are lipomas, too. Poor Matti is just a lumpy old dog!
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
That lump does sound like a fatty lipoma. Valentina had several of them. One was rather large. When the first one appeared I did freak out and had the biopsy done and it came out B9 so when more appeared and the vet said they seemed the same as the first one I didn't bother with the biopsy. My Doberman Emalee has one on the inside of her back leg like on the inside of her thigh. It is squishy, moveable and unconnected and her vet said it is likely a lipoma too. Anytime a new lump appears I know it can freak you out. Especially if your Dog already has cancer. I think we just sit around waiting for something to appear in apprehension. I think you are probably safe.
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