July 1, 2013 Surgery follow up day

This morning we go back to the vet to have all the incisions checked.  The eye looks really good.  No more crusties or eye boogers.   I lifted his lip the other day and the gum looks good.  You can see where the skin was stretched to cover the gap and will take a while to relax or grow.  Dr. Mike is very happy with the healing.

his eye is healing well

Unfortunatley the bad news is still coming.  The tumor is malignant.  Glamis has Gingival Hemangiosarcoma.  In reading the patholgy report, the tumor had ulcerated which is probably why he was bleeding so much.... This type of cancer is very vascular... ''frequently forming small irregular anastomosing, interconnected blood filled vascular type channels"   The report also said it was a deep tumor and complete excision cannot be guaranteed.  So we will have to keep a close eye on his mouth for potential regrowth.

...'This cancer is normally associated with the tongue and tend to be locally agressive and have a high risk for eventual wide spread metastasis.'...  'prognosis should be guarded for hemangiosarcomas developing at other sites of the oral cavity'.   With all that being reviewed, we discuss the next step.  Chest and belly x-rays are suggested as well as a belly ultrasound.  Then possible meeting with an oncologist.  Before we go any further, I ask Dr. Mike to take a look at the lump on his side.  I just found it last week but is has grown.   I am hoping it is a fatty tumor but it doesn't really feel like one.  One look and everything shifts.  Best case scenario, it is a blood blister.  Worst case, it is an extension of the cancer in his mouth.  Worst, worst case scenario - I have yet another dog with a cancer anomaly by having two completely different cancers at the same time.  Needle biopsy is generally pointless as they are so blood filled.  Getting a tissue sample is very difficult.

Time for more decisions.  Dr. Mike feels we should remove it to confirm it's identity.  It is relatively small - about the size of a  blueberry and should be fairly easy to remove.  He has time tomorrow or I can take some time to digest everything and schedule for next week.  It is another of those wait or act choices.  I ask Glamis what he would like.  This would be the second surgery in 12 days.  He just grins and wags his tail. Yes, I agree surgery tomorrow.  Once again, I want answers, quickly, so the next step can be taken.

My heart is heavy that we are going through this again so soon and what seems to be very suddenly.