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Rufus has developed a large lump under his chin

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happycath

happycath

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Well it's off to the vets again at 6.30 this evening, this time with Rufus!

I took him in last week along with Bob ( RIP :( ) to be checked for signs of developing a URI - thankfully he seems to be clear of that, but while we were there the vet discovered a rather large lump or swelling under his chin.
The vet was not too concerned - he had a good feel of the outside and looked inside his mouth for signs of damage from the inside out, he noted that the lump was central to his jaw (and therefore not related to the lymph nodes on each side?). It feels warm and firm, although not actually hard if that makes sense. I don't believe it is causing him any pain as he will let me touch it (I am checking it regularly) and he seems to be eating and drinking as normal - nearly had my hand off for some coriander last night...!
His behaviour is not normal at the moment anyway as he is lonely following Bob's death, so he is quite sedentary overall. But he was popcorning around on his lonesome last night so I don't think the lack of movement is entirely, if at all, related to feeling unwell.

It must have come up very quickly indeed because he had had a bath a few days before during which I would have felt it, and he also enjoys a good chin tickle quite often! I'm certain I would have felt it if it had been there any longer than a couple of days.

The vet recommended that I just monitor it and come back if I was worried. He was reluctant to start lancing it etc straight away. I am worried and not taking any chances - so we're going back tonight!

I will keep you all updated on what the vet diagnoses and the treatment plan etc. Once we know later what we're dealing with I'd really appreciate some advice!

Thanks all x
 
Of crikey, poor you and poor Rufus! I hope the lump is nothing too sinister and that Mr Vet can sort it out later. Sending gentle hugs to your gorgeous boy xx
 
HUGS!

I hope that you can find out what it is and deal with it.
 
Thanks for the virtual hugs!

So the vet (Jim) had a very good feel of the lump and has diagnosed either an abcess or a tumour - he can't be sure without having a look under the skin... His instinct tells him it's an abcess but I think he wants to prepare me for the worst after everything we've been through in the last fortnight.
So Rufus is booked in for Monday to be put under GA and have his lump investigated/removed. If it is an abcess it will be drained & flushed out there and then. If it turns out to be a tumour which is easily removable then it will be removed. If it appears to have grown around other important veins etc then the vet is going to call me to discuss, worst case scenario - we may have to consider letting him go.

My intuition is telling me it's an abcess (I'm really hoping it is) - it grew very quickly, and he is otherwise well in himself. He was a bit quiet after the vet visit, didn't tuck into his veggies straight away, but he livened up as the evening went on.

Dearie me, these bad things always happen in runs don't they? We're planning to give Rufus extra attention and fuss and floor time this week, I know I'm clutching at straws but I'm hoping he'll recover better if he's got a bit of a zest for life! And if the worst happens, at least he'll have had a good week.
 
Keeping everything crossed that it turns out to be a straightforward abscess - they do like to scare us don't they!
 
Oh poor Rufus. Hope he gets through it all okay. Yoshi has a lump under his chin too, the vet did send an aspirate to the lab but they couldn't find anything conclusive which is why she wants to do a biopsy now.
Hope all goes well, I understand how worrying it can all be.
x
 
Thanks all :)
Rufus went in for his op first thing this morning, I'm waiting for a call to see how it all went. The more time passes without hearing anything the better I feel because the vet was going to call me straight away to discuss options if it was a difficult tumour. So fingers crossed for an abcess.... (never thought I'd say that sentence...!)
Last night and this morning he was still fine in himself, the lump doesn't seem to have bothered him whatever it is. He's eating as normal, veering between dashing about and sleeping as normal, and it doesn't seem too painful as he'll let me touch it without any bother.
I gave the veterinary nurse (lovely lady) some green beans to offer him when he comes round because they're his favourite!
x
 
Update

:)
I just spoke to a nurse at the vet - it was an abcess!
They've cleaned it all up, everything went smoothly, he has woken up and is now up and about.
They're keeping him in overnight tonight (should this ring alarm bells?) so that they can give him another injection first thing tomorrow, so I'm ringing for an update in the morning. Hopefully he can come home tomorrow :)

I'm going to get some white or cream fleece on the way home so I can keep a close eye on any nasty weeping or anything and make sure he is nice and clean. The abcess was right under his chin so I'm concerned that it could get infected quite easily when it comes into contact with dirty fleece etc.

Any advice on wound care? I'm sure I'll be given advice by the vet when I pick my little guy up, but any advice from those of you who've been there would be very helpful!

Thanks for all your good thoughts xxxxxxxx
 
furryfriends (Excellent Adventure Sanctuary) said:
Has it been removed, or lanced and drained? If it has been lanced and drained you will need to keep the wound open and flush it. If this is the case they should show you what you need to do.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure - the nurse I spoke to was looking back over Rufus' notes as she was talking to me (I had to ask whether it turned out to be an abcess or not) so she hasn't been involved in the op I don't think, she is a kennel nurse. I'll find out when I collect him. You're right, I'm sure they will show me anything I need to know. Thanks x
 
They should show you and discuss everything when you pick him up in the morning. Sometimes if we are busy and not involved in a case we dont always know much about their history. Nothing to worry about with him staying in, we often do so with rabbits and guinea pigs to give them extra injections and get them eating too. Some ownes (although I'm sure your happy to) arent so happy about syringe feeding at home also.

x.
 
Thanks for the reassurance Abi-nurse :)

I'm going to pick up Rufus this afternoon, the vet just wants to give him one more antibiotic injection this morning. He is bright and eating well apparently :)
I managed to speak to Jim (Rufus' vet & the one who actually performed the operation) when I phoned earlier so I got a few more details - they were hoping to remove the entire abcess 'capsule' but it was too firmly attached at the back so they removed as much as possible and flushed out what remained very thoroughly. In his words it was a 'very nasty abcess'. He is going to give me some oral antibiotics to continue at home, I presume baytril.
He also said to bring him back in after the weekend for a check up, or sooner if I am concerned.

Can't help wondering/worrying about reoccurences if the capsule wasn't fully removed, but fingers crossed my little Mr will continue to eat like it's going out of fashion, take his meds like a good boy and be on the road to recovery :)
 
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