Ben has some sort of tumor.

Ben the Dane has a big lump on top of his tail.  It was pea sized when we first noticed it last month, maybe 6 weeks ago.  We just thought it was a bump of some kind and forgot all about it.  But yesterday, we noticed that its much bigger, about the size of a grape, and hard.  Its not painful, which is more worriesome.

I'm waiting on the vet to open so I can call.  I'm very worried.  

Just wanted to share...that's all.  I love that dog.  I'm really concerned.  and I'm kicking myself for not mentioning it when he went in 2 weeks ago for shots, but it was just tiny, and I forgot.  

[have 2 kids]

Just wanted you to know I read this..........  let us know what the vet says.  

[1nana]

Hopefully it's just a lipoma and nothing more.

[peekawho]

Well...it will be about $1100 to find out.  He has to have a biopsy on Weds.  Since he's a senior, he had to have the preop blood and urine.  They gave me the whole breakdown on the estimate, and that's what its going to cost, pretty much all inclusive, all meds, antibiotics, pain meds etc.

D@mn.  She doesn't know what it is, but didn't think it was too....friendly looking.

[have 2 kids]

Oh, Peek-  I'm sorry to hear that.   Hope all goes well on wed.   Poor boy..
How old is he?  

[AHP84]

Oh I'm sorry Peek! I hope it's benign and he will still have plenty of fun, healthy life ahead.
Prayers and hugs to you and Ben.

[peekawho]

He'll be 6, which is getting pretty well up there for a Dane.  

A coworker of mine called this morning, and when I told her, she just shocked me to death, saying that he's so old he'll probably be dead soon, anyway so why shell out all this money on him now?

She put it a little more nicely than that, but that was the gist of it.  She wouldn't "waste" the money like that.

[AHP84]

What a snot!
At least Ben has a better home and more love with you than he would with the likes of someone like her!

[peekawho]

Her dog has a simple cherry eye that she won't fix, and bladder stones--she won't pay for surgery for that, either.  Her justification is that she's read that there are no guarantees that those problems won't come back, so she won't get the surgery.

And she's a nurse!

[have 2 kids]

OMG  -  people can be so insensitive.    We got responses along the same line with our rescue dog.  
Yes, it is a lot of money but he is a part of your family.   I really hope you find out it's benign.  Even at $1100 it will be well worth it to know he's ok.

[have 2 kids]

People like her shouldn't have pets...

[AHP84]

You can bet if that nurse had a cherry eye and bladder stones that she'd be wanting and hoping someone would pay for her surgery if that's how she had to depend on living a decent life.

[sk123]

I would have probably hit that woman (if I was slightly less inhibited, such as if I'm drinking). If I'm sober, I would have at least given her a serious lecture. Those kinds of people make me SO mad.

I'm sorry that Jake's surgery will cost so much. From talking to you, I think I already know that you're going to go through with it. For me, it would be well worth it to spend $1100 or even more. And I really, really hope that it's benign and nothing. Please keep us posted.

[peekawho]

Thanks, you guys!  I'll keep everyone posted.  I hope its not bad news.  I'll be a basket case.  Total basket case.

[1nana]

How dare she!

I just hexed her with a needle in the eye and another in the bladder.

She won't be coming to work this week!

[AHP84]

Lol!

[Me967]

Sorry to hear Ben is having issues.  It seems like an awful lot of money but I know I would be doing the same thing as you.  As for your co worker (sorry for being so blunt) hmmmm...well lets just say people like that should not be allowed to have animals.  Hopefully she has her dog on a special food if nothing else.  

Anyhow, back to Ben.  Best of wishes to you that the results come back benign and everything works out fine.  Six is up in years but there has been quite a few that have lived to be 12.  He has had a lot of love and great care.  Danes have a lot of issues with there tails; but, even if it is an issue from what I understand it is one of the most curable.  Hoping it's nothing.  Wishing for the Best of wishes.  Will be praying for him.  Take care;  Amy

[Happy2girls]

I'm wishing you the best.

Forget about your co-worker....some people are just a$$es.  

[peekawho]

I thought Mr. Peek would be upset about the $$...but not at all.  

[peekawho]

Update:

Ben had his surgery yesterday, and despite a complication requiring resuturing, he's doing great this morning, eating, drinking, and doing other "business" as usual.

He doesn't much like the inflatable collar, but that's life.  I have to watch him to be sure he doesn't like the suture line too much.

[AHP84]

Did you give him his ice cream and cookies? :-)

[peekawho]

I gave him some frozen plain yogurt before bed, which he loved!

[AHP84]

Awwwww!