Histiocytoma?

Re: Histiocytoma?

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:58:11 GMT

we had a 12 month old dog in a few months ago for removal of a hairless patch of skin on her belly. she had been spayed and the patch was over her umbilicus where you would usually expect a small bald bit. me and the vet were amazed that the owners had even noticed it let alone wanted removal and histo!! the patch of skin looked normal and was the size of a 5p. sent it off- mast cell tumour!!

i wouldn't have even worried if it was one of my dogs as it just looked like a hairless patch- tbh i don't think i would have noticed it!!

me and the vet are a lot more cautious now and get things in a lot sooner for removal and always recc histo.

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:44:20 GMT

Thanks so much for your input everyone, i really appreciate hearing about your experiences, even though it has scared me a little! I'm on my lunch atm, think i'll have a word with another vet when i go back and see what she suggests. He is insured so there is no issue there. I just don't want to come across as a paranoid owner!

Re: Histiocytoma?

dinkyd — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:14:23 GMT

Have to admit at my previous practice if it was a mass that came up quickly ie with the space of a few weeks- even in the very young dogs it was routine to remove and send for histo as said you can never be certain.Anyway we are all putting squits up you - not my intention at all - just be careful. Sounds as if you are being just that.

Re: Histiocytoma?

Fiona Leathers — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:12:03 GMT

We once had an 8 month old Lab come in for a histiocytoma removal on her shoulder. The owner's last dog, a GSD, had mast cell tumours so they wanted to snd it off for histology just to make sure and it came back a mast cell tumour. Out of all animals, I would have siad not to send it off because of the age etc but it changed my outlook on lumps and I would now advise send them off!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Avril Louise Jackson RVN — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:35:37 GMT

[quote user="Vicky C"]

Not sure this is in the right section, oh well. While i was on holiday my dog was looked after by my nurse colleague. She noticed a tiny lump to the side of his anus. The vet had a look and said it's a histiocytoma, that they can appear in dogs Jacks age (2) and it will disappear in a few weeks.

Was just wondering if anyone has had experience of them? It doesn't seem to bother him so i'm not worried about it, just curious.

[/quote]

Histiocytomas are the usual case at such a young age but histiocytomas can "mimic" mast cell tumours which are of a much more significant health issue. I urge you to get a biopsy, FNA or excsional, doubt its a lipoma at such a young age and if appropriate weight for his age.

While your vet is reassuring you its a harmless histiocytoma, there are exceptions to the law of averages. I found that out when I lost a springer at 17 months old due to melanoma. i was absolutely devastated and although there was nothing I could have done (the vet was convinced it was a stick injury as ir originated in her mouth) I now believe that all lumps are potential dangers and shouldn't be taken lightly. Even some lipomas get out of hand when the lipoma is heavier than the dog!!!

Get it checked for peace of mind at least. Noone can diagnose a lump just from obs. It prob is histiocytoma. But it's wrong to give a non-scientific diagnosis.

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:03:35 GMT

Haha bless him!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Sal the 1st — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:01:10 GMT

The only animal i have ever seen that has been happy in a buster collar is my Morris - esp when he discovered he could use the collar as a sort of shovel for his food and then just a little flip and it was in his mouth!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:58:33 GMT

The way he looks at me makes me feel like the most horrid mean mummy in the world!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:56:03 GMT

aw poor Jack its such a pity the way they look so sullen when faced with a buster collar.............. I just wish they knew it was for their own good!!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:57:06 GMT

In fact i don't think i'd stay still if anyone tried to FNA me anywhere!!! Keep those needles away from me thank you very much!

Jack is a sulking boy atm...he's sporting a buster collar thanks to doing something to his tail which has made him chew it!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:13:42 GMT

nor me lol!!!!

hope Jack is ok though xx

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:31:15 GMT

Not me!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Sal the 1st — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:23:45 GMT

conscious FNA right by his bum - now how many of you would sit still for that?

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 09:58:28 GMT

I'm going to keep a VERY close eye on it...really really hope it goes away!

Re: Histiocytoma?

dinkyd — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:48:18 GMT

Have to say any young dogs with lumps that have quickly appeared - i have always seen them be removed and sent for histology - even suspected hystiocytomas- def keep an eye on it tho xx

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:47:31 GMT

They've been whipped off! Got him from dogs trust in oct so his op was a few days before i got him.

Re: Histiocytoma?

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:43:05 GMT

Has he been castrated vick?? As anal adonoma is a DD is he has not had his nuts off!

But also I'm only a nurse and cant diagnose lol

Re: Histiocytoma?

Vicky RVN — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:41:30 GMT

To be honest i don't know if he did an FNA. I totally trust him 100% (he's always been fantastic with my animals) so he would have done whatever he felt necessary. He is an excitable SBT so a conscious FNA would prob be out of the question!

Re: Histiocytoma?

Freckle — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:34:33 GMT

no experience really, but have been taught that gold standard for a mass would be fnab, and tx as neccesary - would he let you fnab concious? if so i would be inclined to do so, just to be safe.

i am only a svn tho - not qual yet, but if my pooch had a mass i would want fnab! just to be sure might turn out to be a lipoma as has happened to me, but at least i could rest easy that it wasnt something sinister

Re: Histiocytoma?

Nick Shackleton — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:32:10 GMT

Vicky not to doubt yourvet but how you tell what a mass is just by looking at it? Or did they take a sample and look at it microscopically?