Comments | vet_tech: Primary lung tumor.... in my dog. = (

ajb92504 in vet_tech

Primary lung tumor.... in my dog. = (

Apr 04, 2011 22:26

( Read more... )

Comments 6

poisondove April 5 2011, 06:53:46 UTC

Well its not convienent but the pathologist is right that you can't really say without a bigger chunk (I assume the sample was a BAL?). I suspect they saw questionable cells they think are carcinoma cells...so that would really make cysts and granumolomas (which can be just as bad if they are fungal or something nasty) less likely ( ... )

laminacourt April 5 2011, 22:27:43 UTC

"While that isn't an option or even the best thing for him, it is possible that his signs decreased not b/c the antibiotics would affect a tumor but rather would help lower the probable bacterial secondary infection likely caused by the tumour preventing proper mucus/gunge clear out. So, antibiotics might be a mode of just settling down any bugs associated and perhaps helped to settle some inflammation/irritation at the site."

Exactly what I was going to say. Hopefully it's nothing too bad :( How old is your guy?

ajb92504 April 7 2011, 03:39:18 UTC

Yeah I suppose it could be settling a secondary infection.
We don't know his exact age, as he was an adult stray when we got him 5 years ago. So he's probably at least 7 or so.

ajb92504 April 7 2011, 03:33:08 UTC

We haven't done a BAL, although the thought did cross my mind. The diagnosis is coming just from the radiographs.
If we went the surgical route, we would have to go to a larger hospital (probably U of Minn) because we don't have the capabilities at our clinic to do thoracic surgery. I'm reluctant to do that due to our tight budget and the fact that he is perfectly normal otherwise.
Good point about the abx just treating secondary infection.

allthingsshiny April 5 2011, 18:38:45 UTC

I wouldn't take a diagnosis of malignancy based on a radiograph alone. I second the above - what about going in and cutting it out? if it's not a tumor, you'll find out. If it is a primary tumor, you'll be rid of the bulk of it and you'll know what you're dealing with.

ajb92504 April 7 2011, 03:45:28 UTC

I'm reluctant to do surgery because he is doing perfectly fine otherwise, and also we would have to go to a larger hospital (probably U of Minn)and our budget is extremely tight. We may consider it more if he starts worstening.