Help! We were stroking our 14 week old pup just now and found a large (golf ball sized) lump on her rump, just across and down from her anus really - It feels fliud like I guess, and she doesn't mind me touching it and she is passing wee's and poo's no probs...she is chewing her toy at the mo and seems fine but of course we are really worried I have rang the emergency vet line but you know what their like, cant say much over the phone - cant blame them I suppose??? She will see her vet first thing I hope - I have to call again in the morning Its only on the one side and it doesn't have a 'head' or leaking - anyone experienced this before????? I've got butterflies with worry :(
Sarah

dont worry im sure it could be any number of things. mabe shes been bitten by somthing or. infection dont worry yet :) im sure she will be fine

Thanks :) I'm waiting for the vet to open - no-one around until 9am (and I've been up most of the night)....Kids eh!

Could be she's just bumped herself (though it's a funny place to bump) Ours bumped her head as a pup and it came up in a fluid lump. The vet just drained it and she was fine. Or it could be her anal gland.

Hope all goes well
Kath.

We've been to see the vet who thinks Lana may have bumped herself or slipped causing a haematoma (well done Kath :)) She doesn't want to drain the blood in case the needle prick causes an infection - she wants to see her again tomorrow to see that she is fine in herself (which she most definately is...She hasn't stopped today!)
Thanks for the advice
Sarah :)

Glad she's OK Sarah, hope the butterflies have gone now :) Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

Kath. xx

They've only kept her in. I'm so worried - I didn't think I would be leaving my little girl there. They are doing an ultrasound to find out what it is before they attempt to drain it! Its so quiet without her pulling the place apart! I cant ring until 1...

hope everything goes ok.
Will be thinking about you both.
Regards,
Linda

It's awfully quiet without them, isn't it? :( Let us know what they say.

Sarah, they kept Bess in when they did hers as she wouldn't sit still and she was OK so try not to worry (easier said..) I think sometimes it's easier for them to concentrate on animals without having to look after us worried owners too. :) Also our dogs take their cue from us so if we worry, they do too.

I'll be thinking of you and waiting for good news. :)

Kath x

Thanks guy's - I cant believe how upset I feel - how attached we get. I'll probably embarass myself when I pick her up and see her shaven bum, I always thought I was the strong parent but I'm being a complete wuss.
Sarah.

Being a wuss is allowed in these situations :)

Kath

I got my little girl back this afternoon, complete with little bald patch. She's so shot away, she came in all sleepy then suddenly woke up and didn't stop playing until just now!! Vet is confident it is a haematoma but cannot rule out a hernia?! Has to go back in the morning to see if it is re-filling.
Thanks everyone :)
Sarah

I'm so glad she's OK Sarah. :) Lovely to hear of her playing happily, I bet you've hardly stopped cuddling her. :D

Waiting for the next installment. :)

Kath xx

Thanks Kath :) We went back today and vet say's its re-filled slightly but that it was ok because it's not as big as it was origionally, we have been allowed home now and to treat her as if nothing had happened - which means puppy party next week :D
Thanks - Sarah

whoohoo!!! That's brilliant. :) :) Give her a big hug from me for being brave, and tell her no running around and bumping herself at this party! :D

Have fun.

Kath x

I dont believe it!!! We had a check up yesterday and the lump is still very much there - but the vet said it wasn't getting bigger so lets give it a couple of weeks. Well today she has another!! They are symetrical and either side of her tail on her bum. I took her straight to the vet who openly admitted that he didn't know what it is or what has caused it. She has to have an anaesthetic on Monday so that some investigative samples can be taken :( - He is almost certain it wont be cancer in a pup of this age but I am so worried...I cant take her on Monday I will make a right idiot of myself, so Gary say's he will take her in and I will pick her up....I just cant believe my 14 week old pup needs an anaesthetic.
Sarah

Oh no, I'm sorry Sarah. :(

My other thought on my first post was an anal gland problem and if they are symetrical, on either side of her anus it would point even more to that, maybe a blockage or infection (though I think she would be off colour if infection), but I would have thought your vet would have diagnosed it though, so I'm stumped. :(

It would have to be a *very* big coincidence for two cancerous lumps to be symetrical so try not to worry too much. If they take a sample then hopefully you'll know for sure what the problem is and can then deal with it. :)

Fingers crossed. :)

Kath xx

Thanks Kath - We are all stumped! Vet said she could go to the veterinary school at Langford, Bristol if we wanted but we agreed to do some initial investigation 'in-house' first of all...It just seems so weird but I agree with you it does look like anal gland territory, however vet did check them and said they were fine?!? Its just so strange that now we have these two 'lumps' either side of her tail??? Will let you know how we get on Monday :)
Sarah.

Well, we had our op today and Lana is feeling really sorry for herself...I'm sorry for her too :( - she has stitches on her bum. The vet has taken a sample of both lumps.....I wonder if its some kind of bruising from the hard floors and patio because the lumps are right over those 'pin-bones' that are so apparent in afghans?????
She cant go to any of her classes this week :( - on a slightly brighter note she is playing with her toy's when she thinks I'm not looking!
Sarah

I bet you're glad today is over and she's back with you. :) I would have thought that bruises would be smaller swellings and come up more slowly but anythings possible. Did the vet say whether it was just fluid that came out? When do you get the results? I'm pleased that she's playing a little bit (cheeky girl :D)

Give her a hug from me please. :)
Kath.

Well Kath, when the origonal lump was drained they said it was blood...But now they are saying that they removed tissue from each lump and results will be on Friday (hopefully) - I am much happier today as Lana is pretty much back to her usual self :D - she is an amazing girl, and she gave me puppy love bites today :D - We have been out for a couple of lead walks too! Oh and I passed on your hug :D
Thanks Kath, Sarah

Hi Sarah, Glad she's back to her normal puppy self, it makes the wait easier when you can get back to playing with her. :D I suppose all lumps have surrounding tissue so chances are it will be a good result. :)

Best of luck, and thanks for the e-mail. ;) :D
Kath.

Do hope it is good news on Friday :)

Lucy
xx

Thanks guy's - You can always rely on your champdog buddy's :) - we went for a post op check today, I had a really good chat with the vet who say's that everyone at the surgery are really confused about Lana's lumps, apparently they were like a sponge inside with little pockets of fluid and tissue (I'm thinking the same as you Kath about tissue matter.) All the results could take as long as 10 days (worse case scenario) but many come in the same week so as soon as I know.... I get a lump in my throat when I see her playing at home - she is just 15 weeks and so good and so forgiving and soooo brave :)
I wouldn't change her for the world.
Sarah

Hi
I've just read your posting....
Thinking of you with crossed fingers for good news on Friday

Thanks Steph, its great to have you guy's to talk to! I think I might be boring my work colleagues!! My boss has been great though he say's he would let anyone have time off if their kids were sick :)
Sarah

Rozzer how's the little soldier doing now??? :)

Hi Steph, she's doing really well thanks :) Still no results though, I must say I'm not too happy with the vets right now!  She went clicker training the other night but she couldn't play with the boy's because of her stitches...Sorry for the delay in letting you know - I have my neice's staying with me tonight, they are 7 and 8 (and they have told me their favourite dog is a japanese akita!!!)
Sarah

Hi guy's - better late than never I guess! - When I got home this evening I had an answer phone message from the vet who said Lana's test results were in!!!  He said they were nothing to worry about and he would try me tomorrow - I tried to call back but they had gone for the night, unfortunately.  So I will speak to him tomorrow to find out exactly what it is but in the meantime a weight has been lifted from my shoulders...You guy's have been great - A big thankyou :D
Sarah X

Hi  Sarah, :)
Sorry, I missed your post last night. Oh I'm so glad it sounds like good news. Make sure and tell us what the vet says after you've rung  him. 

Hugs
Kath xx

Hi Kath :) - Vet said it was a haematoma!?  A little bit weird though that a second vet said she is worried about Lana's blood clotting abilities???  I say weird because its the first time haemaphillia (sp?) has been mentioned - and the first vet said "nothing to worry about", surely she would have bled profusely when they cut her lumps??  (She has three stitches in each!) - Vet say's just to be sure we will have her in for the morning on Monday to do some blood clotting tests - I replied that we would discuss it at home and get back to her, then the vet told me that I really didn't have a choice!!!  We are seeing the vet that did her op tomorrow to have her stitches out so I will discuss this with him, but I have to be honest while I would never compromise when it comes to my dog's health I just feel a bit unhappy with the vets right now - she's been through a hell of alot for such a young girl and I am considering a second opinion with a vet I know and trust - thing is she is based the opposite side of Bristol to me!  In the meantime Lana is very very well and the bumps are virtually gone

Hi,
Haematomas and haemophilia are not the same thing! Haematoma is the medical name for a blood blister.
:)

I know, which is why I am so surprised by the mention of haemophilia all of a sudden - the lump was always a suspected haematoma but when a second came up the vet wanted to take samples just to be sure, poor Lana was knocked out and very sore for a couple of days after which was distressing for all.  Then the results were much later than the vet's said they would be but eventually showed that it was a haematoma after all and there was no need to worry - Phew I thought and very relieved - Until the second vet at the same practice decides that she will do more tests (clotting tests) and wants Lana in for the whole morning to do it - Now I have to be honest I dont truly believe my dog is haemophiliac, I am very confused!!
Sarah :)

How confusing - and worrying, too. :( Keep us up to date, won't you?

Your right JG - very confusing and a bit weird...I'm no expert but I just dont think she is haemophiliac.  The day after her op she bled a bit from her stitches when she sat on my foot - there was a smear of blood on my trainer and I could see her wound was weeping a bit but it soon stopped - the vet once mentioned that she castrated an afghan who nearly bled to death during his op - I wonder if she is thinking that its a 'breed thing' and thats why the haematoma got so big because it wouldn't clot properly (it was almost the size of a tennis ball!!!) Who knows but I will find out tomorrow - All I know is that my little girl is fine right now and the bumps are almost gone....Oh and she has a boyfriend at training classes, he is a rottweiler called BJ :D
Keep you updated!  Sarah

Hi Rozzer, I'm pleased Lana is feeling better.  The Afghan Hound is not the healthiest breed at the moment, they are suffering from many debilitating and unpleasant conditions.  There is a lot of research going into it at present, but if I were you I WOULD discuss this with somebody who is well up in this research.  I'm not saying Lana does have anything to worry about, but its worth knowing.  Search for Sue L, on this board, she has Afghans and has had her fair share of problems with them, not least with one at present who has been a very sick dog with multiple problems.  E-mail her, she will give you info and can put you in touch with the right people.
Dawn.

Hi Sarah,
certainly does sound weird. Out of interest I've just put "Haemophilia Afghan hound" into a Google search and only 8 pages came up. I don't think any had the words in the same sentence either so it doesn't sound like a breed thing. I've also read that females are the carriers but it usually only manifests itself in the males which would account for her not bleeding excessively but then why did the vet suspect it? I suppose the only way is to discuss it properly with the vet before Lana has any tests.  Let us know what they say! :)

Glad Lana's fine though. :) Ooh a boyfriend eh? She doesn't waste any time. :D :D

Kath xx

OK - slightly wiser now!!  We went to the vets tonight and I explained I was confused we had a really long chat and as you mention Kath I told the vet I believed only females carried the condition - anyway this vet agreed that the other vet was a bit dramatic and the thinking behind it is why did she bleed in the first place?  Sure she probably bumped herself but she could possibly be bleeding internally - BUT its not haemaphilia as such!!!!  Just a milder form...Vet said he could just take her blood and get it tested but regardless of the result it wouldn't mean medication, just the knowledge that she has an increased risk of bleeding, say, during surgery.  I asked why the other vet wanted her in for the morning to do this test??  He said she wants to cut Lana's lip and time how long it takes to stop bleeding :( - My baby!!!  He also mentioned that there was no great urgency and so I agreed that we would give her a couple of weeks to settle as she has been through alot lately - She is sooo forgiving and she is still really keen to visit the vet, bless her :)  So I feel alot happier today, I'm convinced these are bruises caused by her playing and tumbling as any affie owner would probably agree these are very mischievous and crazy pup's :D
Thanks for all the advice guy's :D
Sarah X

That sounds more promising! What a relief!

And don't be too horrified at the cut-and-time test. That's very similar to the test my sort-of-nephew had in France before a routine operation. It seems to be standard practice with people there!

Hi Sarah,
glad the vet explained it all. :) Well at least if you get her tested you'll know for sure and if she has got a mild form you can keep an extra eye on her if she bumps herself ( not that you wouldn't anyway, but y'know what I mean :) ) and like you say, if she ever needs surgery.

Aaww poor Lana, what a time she's had, good job she still likes the vet. ;)  Give her a really BIG special hug from me. :)   and one for you too for being a brave mummy. :D

Kath.xx

Thanks everyone :) - Lana has JUST gone to sleep she hasn't stopped all night!  So Kath, I will pass that hug on when she's awake :D
Hope to meet some of you at crufts this year, its my first time!!!
Sarah X