It has been 8 months since Cruella was diagnosed with cancer. She developed peritonitis after the large malignant tumor in her abdomen was removed in March, and she nearly died. Thanks to Boyd’s Creek Animal Hospital and the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, she made a miraculous recovery. Since that time, her oncology visits have gone very well. Her body has been cancer free – until now.
I recently noticed a lump on the back of Cruella’s head. When I took her to Boyd’s Creek this morning for her cancer checkup, I asked them to aspirate the lump. Cruella has developed lots of benign lumps on her body, so I figured that this one was nothing to be overly concerned about. I was wrong.
Dr. Devlin called this morning to tell me that the lump is a mast cell tumor. These particular tumors often present themselves as a lump just under the skin, but they can rapidly spread through the blood and into surrounding organs. Cruella had two of them removed at the same time the abdominal tumor was removed.
Cruella underwent surgery to remove the tumor today. She also had her usual x-rays, ultrasounds, liver and spleen biopsies, and blood work to rule out cancer anywhere else in her body. I will be picking her up in about an hour, and I will get a full report of the doctor’s findings at that time.
As you all know, I am incredibly attached to my dogs. I am praying that this is an isolated tumor and that there are no other malignancies in her body. Please keep Cruella in your thoughts and prayers as well. I will post an update and photo shortly.
November 13th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
tish, i’m thinking and praying for you and cruella. my pets are my babies, too, so i truly know how you feel. cruella has been a lucky girl with a momma like you to help her through her cancer thus far!! i’ll be watching for the updates. (((HUGS)))
November 13th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
My Lulu had the same thing removed fm inside her front leg in June. It was a class 2 (not the best, but not the worst) so I have to watch her continually for new growths. The good news was that they found nothing that shows it had spread anywhere else. I am praying that Miss Cruella has the same outcome. Cuddle her close!