I don't think it should be massaged and I asked Bruce and he agrees. It could spread or irritate whatever is going on. As far as the warm compresses if it's a cystic hygrona it could make it worse.

Please keep us posted.

Yiikkess!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I'm going to remove my bad advice..sorry.

Not to worry. We are all here to learn and help folks. It just means you care. If there is some advice that may not be just right someone will catch it. I just go back to my nursing days and what we did and I just happen to have a DR. at home lol.

Schlep don't go away. Bruce was so glad to see you post and what you posted.

Cora,
First off, let me send you my deepest sympathy during your time of stress, and admiration for addressing it so responsibly. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
You mentioned how bonded Much Rocky is to you <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> and how he didn't crab or aything at the vet's; I'm so envious and also hopeful that everything turns out ok. I've had my gliders about 2 weeks, and I was wondering how long it took you to reach such a great realtionship with Rocky? It sounds like what I am hoping for with my girls... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frostyangel.gif" alt="" />

OK..................Here are some pics of the lump and some rarely seen photos of me tonight with my "Rock Rock") I love him so much. some may ask about the bonding.......time and patience is my answer and many many hours with your little furry friend.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/angelfish_37/DSCN0706.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/an...37/DSCN0708.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/an...37/DSCN0710.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/angelfish_37/DSCN0713.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/angelfish_37/DSCN0714.jpg
Rocky is just a little over 1 yr. OOP . April 30th will be our year anniversary together. Cora

Could it be related to his scent gland?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> That is so strange...I am leaning towards something with the teeth <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />...gosh, I just hope Rocky gets better soon!!!

Karin

I don't know if an experience of mine is anything similar or not but @ 6 years ago I discovered a "lump" on my Bobbie Girls chest that seemed to have appeared over night. We rushed to the vets & ended up having it surgically removed & tested. It turned out that it was just fatty tissue and Bobbie recovered quickly from her surgery. I'm hoping & praying that Rocky's lump is something as innocuous as Bobbie's was. (((((HUGS)))))

We can hope it is, but white blood cells mean the immune system is reacting to an invader of some kind to fight it. I hope at least it isn't getting any bigger.

Cora, I got home from the vet, and there was a call from you on the machine. Call back any time...I'm sorry I wasn't here, and don't want to wake you at 3 am (I think 4 your time).

How's the little guy doing now?

Well it seems to be the same. No better and no worse. He still acts fine, eating, drinking, playing, etc. Meds givin.
......................................................Cora

Those are nice pictures. Rocky certainly looks bright-eyed and healthy.

I would agree I would not massage an infected fluid collection for fear of spreading it out into other tissue planes. If a drainage tract was present and one could very gently express the fluid and pus to the outside, I would. But I wouldn't try to put the fluid under much pressure.

A fatty tumor under the skin can happen. Overfed dogs get them easily, (as do old men.) But that wouldn't feel boggy and deformable like fluid does (think water balloon). They tend to be hard - almost rubbery. And as mentioned above, they shouldn't be infiltrated with white cells.

Although he looks healthy, that mass isn't normal. Without getting some of it, it is hard to make a specific and correct diagnosis. Without an accurate diagnosis, one can't pick a proper treatment plan that would be expected to work.

Obviously the plan and decisions are up to you and your veterinarian. If he were mine, I'd go get it. As long as they are in there, take it all if it is solid tissue. If fluid, drain and culture. The good news that is that it is in an area hard to get to chew on, no E-collar needed. Nails and scratching could pose a problem while healing. In this specific situation, if it were causing him discomfort, the Neosporin with numbing activity might be helpful. I see little risk and would personally use it.

Good luck.

I take Rocky back to the vet tomorrow. The lump is the same. Other than the lump he seems fine. Cora

Hey Cora <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
You might want to take schlep's post with you and see what the vet thinks along those lines as well. At least it isn't getting any worse. If there is fluid inside, a culture might be valuable as well, even though it takes a few days for results, so if there are bacteria, you can find out exactly what kind and how to target it...let us know what he says.

OK....................I printed out shleps posts.......................thank you for your input schlep!!!!!!
I dont know what time I will be back from the vet. Guess it depends on what he does. I will post when I get back!! Wish us luck!!!..................................Cora

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> You guys will be in my thoughts.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

Poor sweetie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> hope it gets resolved soon

Rocky weighs the same............130grams. Dr. Reese is going to remove the lump next wed. at 8am. He understands how important Rocky is to me.....................I made that very clear. So its just a waiting game and continue the antibiotic til next week. ...........................Cora

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />Cora, thank you for the continued updates,
praying that the anitbiotics kick in and help relieve what ever is going on in there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

Hugs to you and Rocky. Best of luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the update.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />...Cora, we will be waiting with you...thank you for the updates!
Karin

Hugs hugs and more hugs to you and Rocky. It does remind me looking at his pictures of a spider bite I got years ago. It took MONTHS for it to go away and alot of antibiotics. I wish you lots of luck and am sending prayers out to you and Rocky. Please keep us posted!

Cora, how incredibly stressed you must be feeling! But at least now you have a viable game plan.

Sending hugs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> and prayers to you and Rocky. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

I could have swore I replied to this yesterday...but I've lost a couple posts now, the last few days, lol, so not much surprises me at this point. Keep us updated and let us know how it goes at the vet. At least you won't have to worry about an ecollar...but you'll have to watch he doesn't scratch it too much and tear it open. Thanks for the update. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

I bought Rocky a cage today since he will not be able to be left with Foamy (his cagemate) after his operation. I am so worried for him about this whole thing........................poor guy dont even know whats coming!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
........................................Cora

Everyone always seems to want to separate cage mates at surgery. I'm not so sure there wouldn't be less stress leaving them together. I would be surprised if a buddy bothered a surgical wound. I would worry more about self-mutilation from the patient. If it goes OK during an initial observation period, I'd leave them together.

Cora, I just wanted to send well-wishes to you and Rocky. Poor little guy. I hope everything goes very well Wednesday and he recovers without difficulty.

Rocky is currently on the operating table. Will update when its over.
..................................................Cora

My prayers are with both of you,,,


Carl

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> (((HUGS))) and prayers <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Thank you for letting us know..