I have not experienced the fatty tumor but have had canine dental problems with which to deal. I was lucky that my vet office has a pet Dental specialist. My only recommendation would be to ensure they have a dental specialist. Sounds like they do. If your pouch is generally healthy otherwise, it should recover w/o much ado

ETA. Once a teeth removal was not to be as tooth fell on its own during cleaning/scheduled dental extraction. I was not charged for the extraction part. I might clarify the extraction vs falling out in advance. If nothing else, to let them know you are doing research separately and not just taking their word @ face value.

I had a cat once with a fatty type cyst on it’s ear that was removed but never a dog with a fatty tumor. Even though everything reflects that it’s healthy, did your Vet discuss the risks of how your dogs age could influence the outcome? If it were me, I’d probably take my dog to a specialist for a second opinion. Not so much to hear that there are issues with your Vet’s diagnosis or treatment plan, but sometimes a second pair of eyes will have a different approach or opinion that can offer some additional insight.

Thanks for the advice,

I did discuss dogs age and my concern about the outcome. I specifically asked if my dog would be able to resume a "normal, happy" dog life and do "normal happy dog things" which are very important to me. Of course, the process due to her age is an issue and I fully realize that.

The vet practice has three other vets (two have examined her) and they are very well respected in the area. That being said, I am consulting with another vet, possibly two just to get counsel.

Practice does specialize in tooth extraction and from what I know so far the fatty tumor (which is about the size of a large grapefruit) is easily dealt with. Recovery will probably take two weeks.

I am very aware that dogs time with me is limited due to her age. Assuming all goes well, I will have her for a few more precious years.

Mike

My nine year old dog Rocky (my picture) just had a tooth extraction 2 weeks ago. It was a large molar that broke and they had to drill out one of the roots. He has a history of seizures, so I was very concerned about him and his recovery. But he came through it all really well, no problems or complications ... and no seizures.

Good luck, keep thinking positive thoughts!

My pit-bull mix had a fatty tumor removed with an uneventful recovery. It seems that you are getting lots of reassurance and guidance from the veterinary specialists so I would rely on their counsel.

My miniature schnauzer had a fatty tumor removed while he was under for surgery for the removal of bladder crystals. It was a "while we have him on the table anyway" kind of deal and he did fine with it all. He was around 9 or 10 at the time.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

Has anyone experienced a re-growth on their dogs after fatty tumor was removed?

The info. and advise I'm getting is mixed. Some indicates yes, some no.

Thanks again,

Mike

Mine only had a tooth extracted but whined and cried for hours after. You would think someone was torturing him.

I called the veterinary hospital and they told me that it's a side effect of the anesthesia in some dogs. After he ate (kibble softened with water) he was much better.

Let us know how it goes, Mike. I believe it will go well for your "pup."

Thanks Socks,

I did consult with an alternate vet and she told me that things should go well in a hospital setting.

Dog is scheduled for a liver ultra sound and EGK on 1/3. If that goes well surgery will happen 1/18.

My main goal here is to give my dog a few more comfortable years so she can do normal dog things. This is the fourth time I've been down this road dealing with a senior dog and I have always strived to make sure they are able to have that.

Thanks again,

Mike

Best wishes for both of you!

Mike, Riley did not experience a recurrence but the vet said that it was unlikely if all of the tumor was removed within the margins. Darn, I wish I’d known that both procedures could be done simultaneously-I scheduled dental work the following week!

Lipomas ("fatty tumors") are extremely common in dogs. Periodontal disease, which often leads to teeth that require extraction, is also extremely common in dogs.

You do not need multiple opinions or specialists. The bad teeth are undoubtedly pretty painful for your dog and they need to come out. Most people do not realize that pets experience just as much pain from bad teeth and gums as humans would if they had the same condition. Bad teeth can be horribly painful. Pets just hide the pain that would have humans crying, taking pain pills, and begging the dentist to get them in ASAP. Your dog will be healthier, happier, and much more comfortable once the bad teeth are gone. She will actually have a better life and be more able and willing to do the things dogs normally enjoy doing once the painful teeth are gone and her mouth is clean and healthy. Your dog is not comfortable with infected teeth...

Veterinarians perform this type of routine dentistry on a regular basis. You'd need a specialist for something like a root canal. This is not a root canal.

So far as the lipoma, you say it's getting progressively bigger. These things can grow to enormous sizes and can even end up affecting mobility, depending on their location. If it's not too big already, why would not not get it removed if your veterinarian feels comfortable doing so? It's probably just going to keep getting bigger and your dog is just going to keep getting older and she might eventually develop problems that make her not so great of a candidate for anesthesia.

If it were my dog, I'd get the mouth fixed. All pets deserve a healthy and pain-free mouth and dental disease can and does affect other areas of the body. If she were doing fine under anesthesia, I'd definitely let them continue with the anesthesia and remove the lipoma. That way, there's only one anesthetic induction and one anesthetic recovery.

Vets anesthetize 12-year old dogs routinely. They do dentistry and remove lumps from older dogs routinely. They remove lipomas on a regular basis. It's nothing out of the ordinary. If your dog's bloodwork is good, her EKG is good and her heart sounds good, she is a good candidate for anesthesia.

Both procedures cannot always be done at the same time. It depends on a variety of factors. If your vet thinks both can be done at the same time, then I'd just be happy about that.

Thanks Veggiegardnr for confirming what I have been told by three vets.

I agree with everything you stated. Very well put.

Both extractions and lipomas will be done at the same time assuming EKG and liver ultra sound indicate no issues that will prevent. I've been told to expet a two week recovery period.

The whole process seems like it will be a shock to her system although In general terms she is a physically healthy dog with a lot of stamina. Mentally she is a mess (she's on 2mg Alprazolam and 40 mg Prozac daily (long story she was abused).

Thanks again,

Mike

What a beautiful dog! :-)

Aw what a sweet picture. My childhood dog had a fatty tumor on the base of her tail removed when she was around 11 or 12 years old. She recovered fine, but the tumor did end up growing back afterwards.

Given that Kai has very large teeth and needs a medication that I know has to taste awful, any tip for getting it in her would be appreciated. She is impossible to pill even when she does not have pain in here mouth.

I'm cooking for her since she can't have hard dog food. I'm mixing meds with what might be a combination of: Parmesan cheese, tuna, chicken, beef, cooked eggs, bread, pasta, chicken or beef stock, hot dogs and lots of cheese whiz. Its mostly successful but somewhat time consuming.

Thanks,

Mike

One of my bulldogs will not swallow pills no matter what I try to hide it in. Neither pill pockets, cheese, cold cuts, chicken, peanut butter, etc worked. He would just eat everything around the pill and spit it out.

A friend taught me a trick. Take a little bit of vanilla ice cream and stick the pill inside. It's so cold, they don't have time to think and just swallow. It's the only thing that works for him. Genius idea.

Is it a pill? If so, try pill pockets. They should have them at your local pet store.

Can you stick them in mini meatballs or hot dog chunks? You can get baby food meat and combine with rice to make a meatball to hide the pill.

My pup loves cheese, especially the Kraft slices. They are soft and yummy. I make small 3 cheese balls, one with the pill. Give the first cheese ball-treat to get things rolling, give the second which has the treat, and before the dog realizes it has something in it, offer the third one. My dog swallows the second one fast so he can get to the third. Works for us; was suggested by the Comfortis rep in the vet's office.

My current dog cannot tolerate dairy but room-temp Kraft saved lots of grief for my past ones. It becomes soft and pliable-perfect texture to fashion a pill-burrito.

Hello everyone,

Thanks again for all of the response. I tried what was new (had high hopes for the ice cream, not to be).

I called the vet, we are trying to move the surgery to an earlier date, get a liquid form of med. Main problem is the tooth pain, I can't open her mouth, she's not hungry.

Thanks for the hints, I will keep them in mind for another time.

Mike

Poor girl, she’s very pretty Mike. She may be hungry but it’s probably too sore. Have you tried giving her the medication with some soft canned food? My dog used to get pretty skittish when it came to giving her pills. I tried all kinds of people food, cheese, chicken, hamburger but she always managed to get the food down without the pill intact. Same with the pill pockets. As a last ditch effort, I stuck the pill into a spoon of the soft pate’ type of dog food and that did the trick. I made it so it was the size of a small ball of cookie dough and not stuck to the spoon and there was no effort for her to take it, she just swallowed it whole. The pate’ is sticky enough to hold on to the pill and she’s never the wiser. Now all I have to do is say medicine time and she’s in her spot ready and waiting. (It’s so easy when their food driven lol) :c) I hope it works out.