Animal lovers please help. My Beagle had a tumor and I am scared to death

[pointblank]

I had both of my beagles at the vet yesterday for a teeth cleaning and while they were sedated I asked the vet to remove a skin tag from my 6 year old female's lip and what I thought was a mole from the chest area of my 4 year old male.

The female's skin tag was no problem, but the vet had to completely put the male down and do deeper surgery because it turned out his was a tumor...According to the vet it was on one of his nipples and he recommended a biopsy because it was close or attached to his breast tissue. He was also concerned because it was dark colored.

As you can probably imagine, I am devastated. The biopsy takes a week and I am looking for some kind of comfort or reassurance. The vet pretty much said he has a 50/50 chance of it being cancerous or not and if cancerous he has a 50/50 shot of it being "bad"...like a year to live. So basically 1 in 4 odds its bad cancer.

I am especially upset becasue I had him at the same vet last year for his annual and forgot to mention it, but did mention my female's skin tag and the vet shrugged it off. So I didn't worry about the male...besides it looked like a mole. It was maybe a quarter of a centimeter in diameter, round and black on the surface, but I saw it after it was removed and it was a bit bigger under the skin. I kind of feel like the vet should have caught the thing during the exam too. I figure its been there about a year.

He appears healthy, is very active and is my best friend. No weight loss or anything. I don't think I could go on without him.

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on this subject? Google is no help.

Thanks

Steve

GUS

[wartrace]

1. Bump up for your Beagle, he is beautiful.

I have no experience with that issue but I thought I would bump it to the top of the list. I will send kind vibes to the guy, I hope he will be by your side for years to come.

BTW- what's his name?

[Bryn]

2. I don't blame you for being scared

Keep us informed on how he is doing. He is so beautiful. I hope someone here will come forward and help you with more information.

[flvegan]

3. Well, the beagle had it last year, yes?

So he's already a year in with it. Therefore, if it is "bad" cancer, it seems the one year theory may be bollocks.

I'm no vet though, so don't take that as advice. Just looking at the info given, and trying to reassure.

Great looking dog, btw.

[bigwillq]

4. I love beagles.

I hope you're boy is ok. :hug:

[Pool Hall Ace]

5. Gus is so handsome!

I wish I could say something reassuring. Perhaps one of our resident vets could chime in (was this also posted to the Pets group?).

:pals:

[begin_within]

6. Awww... I'm in love with that dog just from one picture and your message.

So cute!

[livetohike]

7. Kick for pointblank

:kick:

[JoDog]

8. He's eating and acting normally

I'm not a vet (just a dog owner and lover), but those are usually good signs.

What is Gus's age? Is he a senior dog?

Don't kick yourself too much for not getting it bio'ed earlier. If he's a young dog, you had no reason to suspect it was cancer. Hound dogs tend to get a lot of benign moles (the late Joe, a beagle/basset mix had a few, none cancerous). Take this as a lesson for the future, nothing more.

[Corgigal]

9. Just went through all of this just last month

send you more information in a PM. Let me know if I can do anything for you and the pup.

[pointblank]

12. I sent you a reply IM Corgigal

:-)

[pointblank]

10. Thanks everyone for your support and replies

I haven't had time to get back DU since I posted this...I waited around for about an hour after I posted and had to get offline and couldn't get back until now.

Good news! the vet just called and said it was a Cutaneous Hemangioma, benign in nature. Apparently they are caused by direct sunlight and can reappear, so I have to watch him, but are harmless.

I can't express the relief I feel.

Thanks to all again.

BTW, Gus is 4 on March 15th, so I will break out the birthay hat and throw him a big party this year.

[Fleshdancer]

11. YAY!!!!

I'm so glad to hear this! :hug:

[Sheltiemama]

13. Extra cake for Gus!

I'm so happy for you. He's a doll.

[Pool Hall Ace]

14. Woohoo! That's great news!

Please give Gus some head scritchies from me!

[pointblank]

15. Thanks for the compliments....Gus is honored

In order to prevent my beagle girl from getting jealous, I must post a pic of her now:


ANNIE

[BrklynLiberal]

16. So glad to read the good news...and you have two gorgeous Beagles.

May they be with you for a long time and stay healthy and happy.