Tess, radiation therapy (Tessie has passed)

[StarDeb55]

Dottie, with the swollen glands, along with the growth they have found in her rectum, did the vet say anything about this possibly being lymphoma? They can't tell for sure without a needle biopsy, but with swollen peripheral nodes that is easy enough to do. I did a quick review of your thread, & I don't see where you posted how old Tess is? If they think this may be lymphoma, I can probably help you with information about that.

Debbie

[Harley PoMMom]

Debbie,

Tess is 12 y/o.

Lori

[StarDeb55]

Thanks, Lori, as I said,it was a very fast review.

Debbie

[Sammie]

Ok home. It will take a few min to put all of this in be right back and ty again for being there. Dottie

[Squirt's Mom]

Take the time you need to be sure Tess is settled in and tend to anything you need to do for her first...we will be here. I'm glad you made it home safe and sound.

Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[Buffaloe]

Dottie,

A couple of months ago, I dealt with a tumor on my female dog's anus. They are nowhere close to always cancerous. These anal area tumors are more often cancerous in females than in males but they are often benign, even in females. If non-cancerous, they are called perianal adenomas and if cancerous they are perianal carcinomas. The word "peri" just means "in the area of."

My wonderful surgeon biopsied her perianal tumor and five good smears were sent to the lab. The cytology report came back that it was completely benign. I was given the option of surgical removal or a medical treatment. I chose the medical treatment. She was on a pretty large dose of prednisone and cephlaxin (antibiotic) for two weeks. Her perianal adenoma reduced in size by 80% and I can barely even see it or feel it today. I studied these things alot and they are not all cancerous, not by a long shot.

You are doing a great job with Tess. All the best,

Ken

[Sammie]

Ken Your post almost made me cry. I am so happy to here that. The tumor is really small the E-Vet said, but her left anal glade is larger then the other three, total of 4, but still they are all large. Gave tes her first pill and its hot here. She is looking at me like what is going on. Will start on posting the lab results. Just thought I would check back ty you all XXOO Dottie

[frijole]

Dottie...you ok? Just checking to make sure. Kim

[StarDeb55]

Dottie, in light of what the ER clinic found today, I'm going to be frank, a Cushing's diagnosis is, now, highly questionable. This is why it is so important to not rely on a single diagnostic test. Even if Tess might have Cushing's, it's now on the back burner, until they can figure out what that mass is. I'm concerned about lymphoma as my 1st Cushpup, Barkley, developed lymphoma about 6 years after his original diagnosis. His symptoms were very vague, nothing specific, & any abnormalities on his labs could be explained by the pre-existing Cushing's. It took an IMS to figure out why he was getting sicker by the day. She found multiple swollen peripheral lymph nodes on exam, did an abdominal US, finding further swollen nodes that were throughout his abdomen. To make the diagnosis, she simply did a needle biopsy on one of the swollen nodes in behind his knee. This simple means that a needle was stuck in the node, taking out a small amount of material to send to Pathology for diagnosis. I really hope that Ken is right. If I were in your shoes, though, I would opt for a biopsy of one of the swollen nodes before I put Tess through a surgical biopsy of that mass in her anus/rectum.

Debbie

PS- There is also a possibility that this growth may, indeed, be a perianal adenoma due to elevated estradiol levels. Susy, (Wylie's Mom), has had an on-going problem with this type of growth on poor Wylie. In fact, Wylie had surgery within the past week to try to remove one. The elevated estradiol is what's causing this, so it may also be worthwhile to have at least an estradiol level done, if not the full adrenal panel. One other question, has Tess' been spayed?

[frijole]

It is a little after 5 pm your time so I assume you might be feeding Tess. If we don't hear from you after a bit I assume you are taking her in for IV treatment. Please give her hugs from all of us. We are here and waiting. Don't lose faith - Kim