Just looking for some advice here as usually someone has been through or knows about most things! My best friend has a beautiful gsd spayed bitch, just turned 2 years old. About 2 months ago we noticed a swelling on the outer side of her back paw, about an inch above the nail, right on the side. We had a little giggle as it was like a bunion! Anyway as she was due her annual check up 2 weeks ago, the vet said nothing to worry about. He would see her then. Likely a cyst. Now here is where it gets a bit hazy as I am only going on what my friend is telling me what the vet told her. At her check up, he said it was early skin cancer. He sedated her, removed it and discarded it. Did not send it to a lab as "it would only tell us what we already know". That was 2 weeks ago and it has been a nightmare to get it to heal. Today she took her back up to him and he thinks it is recurring just above the scar and just to wait and see. My friend trusts him entirely but I'm far more sceptical. If this damn thing gets into her lymph glands, we're seriously in trouble. So my question is do we do as he says? Or as I want to do which is remove it and send it to the lab? Maybe a second opinion? I feel guilty as she is a very well bred dog and cost a fortune. My gsd had awful problems when I got him as a rescue and he is glowing now and they are the same age. I think she resents that a little though she would never say that. I know I probably would.

I';d be going for a second opinion myself especially in a dog so young, you want to know what it is and just because it looks like cancer doesn't mean it is.  I believe that they should always have a histology taken myself and then you can treat whatever it may be.

Same here, if our Vet removes any lumps that he doesn't recognise or know what they are, he will ring you and ask you if you want it sent to the lab.  He always recommends that you get it sent off for a diagnosis, especially as some cancers are more aggressive than others.

I'd have thought your friends vet would have given it a wide margin on excision and sent off the surrounding tissue just to make sure it hasnt metastasized. 

It could always just be abit of swelling from the wound, rather than a return of cancer, but I definately wouldn't leave it too long for a second opinion.  Hope she gets on ok. :(

I think kate,you should tell your friend to change her vet. Ihave gsd x2.dog and bitch. my bitch who is 12 yrs old had very agressive mammary cancer 2yrs ago and in dec2009 was diagnosed with anal cancer.tumour from anal gland had attached to the rectal wall. I had a referal to VRCC in laindon essex. Mammary cancer was operated on,4 samples sent off for histology and all came back clear. Anal cancer was operated on,but I was warned before the op there was the risk she cud be faecally incontinent. Sample sent off but histology indicated not enough clear margins. Next step was 3 courses of chemo. After each session when let out of car down the road for wee,was bouncing and as I call it"giving cheek". They do not lose hair as do we humans. We go back every 3 months for ct scan which was extended to 4 months on last visit.Our next appt is 29th July. My male shepherd was operated on there just over 4yrs ago had AF and infected anal glands. He has not been ill since then. I cannot speak too highly of this referral centre. Please tell your friend to look at this place on line and ask for referal. Hope she has insurance! The bitch by the way had not displayed outward signs of illness, just happened to feel small lump with mammary cancer and that she was cleaning rear end more frequently. Please teell your friend not to leave this too long.

Well after nagging her constantly, we went to my vet for serious stuff:-). He is happy its scar tissue and is a fold in the skin. Poor old Kerrie is so good. She lies down and puts up her back paw for dressings, cream and anyone to look at it. An amazing ambassador for the breed. We're delighted but obviously we will be extra vigilant. Thanks folks.