Worried about Murphy

[BetsyNoodle]

I am asking for prayers this morning for my sweet boy, Murphy. Yesterday evening we noticed he had a hairless, nontender growth on his hind leg near the nail. He has an appt. for 4:15 this afternoon, but until we know what it is, I am somewhat of a nervous wreck. I always tell people try not to worry until you know you have something to worry about, but I can't seem to heed my own advice.

Melissa

[pkcrossley]

thinking good thoughts for you. of course it is hardest to keep calm. but whatever it is you probably got to it early, and you did the right thing calling the vet right away. all that counts.

[Hillscreek]

Worst thing is the waiting. Good luck for your vet visit. Good to call and get it seen to right away.

[jo_]

Sending positive thoughts to you and Murphy. Try not to worry (I know...much easier said then done). I've found numerous strange growths over the last couple of years on both of our furballs and they've always turned out to be nothing serious. Please keep us posted.

[Fudgie]

Praying for your little Murphy right now, and for strength for you.

[hheldorfer]

I felt the same way when we found a strange mole on Buffy. Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way. Please let us know what the vet says.

[kjwarnold]

Thinking of you and Murphy.

[BetsyNoodle]

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement -- it means so much to my husband and me. The vet carefully examined Murphy's foot and said it is definitely a tumor. He said he didn't want to waste any time doing a fine needle aspiration, so our boy is scheduled for surgery this Thursday morning. The vet was telling me how Mast Cell is the most common tumor in canines and giving me the odds and whatnot...and I just went numb.

At the same time, we have some veterinary surgical specialists just an hour away who work with veterinary oncologists. I am going to call one tomorrow morning and see if a specialty surgeon might be better since the tumor is on Murphy's "toe". I worry that our "general" vet who is scheduled to do the surgery won't be able to get clean margins; my dear husband just wants it off asap. I know some of you have been through this before. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I won't cry around Murphy because it upsets him; so I am sitting here feeling like someone punched me in the stomach.

[Hawkeye]

I am sorry to hear it is a tumor. I'm not really familiar with this, but I think I would make an appointment with the specialist for a second opinion.

Sending you and Murphy big

Please keep us posted.

[bradl]

Oh man. You jumped on it promptly so here's hoping that regardless of who does the surgery, it's one and done with clean margins and all desired outcomes met.

[Islander]

Sending tons of positive energy to Murphy.

[hheldorfer]

I'm very sorry to hear that news but try to stay positive. I know there are a lot of "ifs" involved but keep your head up, stay strong for Murphy and know that we're all thinking of you and praying for the best possible outcome.

[Hillscreek]

Angus and me thinking good thoughts for you and Murphy. Catching it so quickly is good. Get it out soon and completely.

Keep us posted

[Lynn in TN]

Praying for you all. I am sure Murphy will be fine. Keep your chin up!

[Sam I Am]

Thinking good thoughts..I know it's tough, I would react the same way. Please know that every one on this site is rooting for Murphy.

[pkcrossley]

all the words the doctors are giving you are scary and induce a kind of paralysis. you are keeping moving and that is the right thing. your vet's approach sounds like the standard approach, but i do think that if you have access to an oncologist (many people don't) and the opportunity to ask for a consultation, it probably is best; oncologists tend to be on top of the latest procedures, and the field of oncology changes fast. mast cell and squamous cell are very common, and there are comparatively few unknowns in terms of protocols and outcomes. you will most likely get good information to be able to make sound decisions. with any luck you will find that you got onto this early and that murphy's chances of a full recovery are excellent. at this point the odds are in your favor. i hope you get that kind of news.

[Ivy & Lucy's Mom]

Keeping you and Murphy in my thoughts and prayers. I agree with pkcrossley, I would see an oncologist asap. It does sound like you found this early, so that is a great sign.

[remltr]

Betsy would you be comfortable posting a picture of what this is? I would like to know for future reference if you don't mind.

I sure hope that Murphy is going to be fine.

Thank you,

Dave

[BetsyNoodle]

Thank each and everyone of you so much for the good wishes and prayers for Murphy.

pk, I did feel paralyzed. I have decided to call the surgical specialist tomorrow morning. My fear is that this tumor is located in such an odd place (and is fast growing) it won't be easy to remove if it has infiltrated. A specialist might be able to do it in one surgery, whereas the generalist is already talking about two if he can't get clean margins in the first surgery.

Again, with gratitude,

Melissa and George

[BetsyNoodle]

Dave, I don't mind at all. I was just thinking I should photograph it before the surgery in case anyone else with a Cairn ever find's themselves in our shoes. I was so panicked last night I stayed up until 1:00AM and still had so much difficulty finding photos of a tumor that resembled Murphy's. Unfortunately, the picture I found was a small mast cell tumor on a larger dog's ear. I hope and pray the smaller size and catching it so soon will make a difference. But, mast cell tumors terrify me.

I will have my husband take it tomorrow with his camera, as mine is not holding a charge.

Edited June 6, 2012 by BetsyNoodle

[_whits_]

I am so sorry to hear this news. Addie and I have Murphy in our prayers.

I think it's a good idea to go to a specialist, especially if you can get into one right away. However, if you have to wait a number of weeks, I'd be worried the tumor would spread more. If it were my dog, I'd want to strike a good balance between getting it out as soon as possible and getting it out as cleanly and completely as possible.

Edited June 6, 2012 by _whits_

[naden]

Best wishes Melissa and George, and especially for Murphy

[BetsyNoodle]

Whits, my husband and I talked about it this morning. It is such a fast growing tumor if we have to wait more than a few days, we definitely want it removed asap (especially if it is a mast cell). I called this morning and my vet told me if pathology shows it is a mast cell he will refer us to the specialists and forgo doing a second surgery. I am calling the specialty clinic in a few minutes.

Thank you, Naden, for your support. It is very much appreciated.

[sanford]

Along with you, I'm hoping that the specialist will see Murphy right away. Will keep our fingers crossed and we'll keep Murphy in our thoughts and hope for a good outcome!

[beccadiane374]

Oh, no...sending prayers & hugs for you & Murphy...keep us updated.