Golden Rescue In Naples, Inc.

LUMPS, BUMPS, AND GOLDENS

We all know that goldens have a tendency to contract cancer. It is a known fact in the animal world that cancer is unavoidable in some breeds. We try our very best to monitor our dogs to make sure they are not exposed to harmful chemicals in the environment and harmful preservatives in dog food, but sometimes this dreaded disease hits no matter how diligent we are in caring for our dogs. Within this past month we have had three incidences of cancer affect our GRINinc family. Each at a different stage and each unique. All were cancerous lumps.

Our Lucy, the foster dog of John and Sally M., came into our organization with at least three rather large lumps on different parts of her body. Lucy was a shelter dog so we do not have a history on her, but obviously her previous owner chose to ignore these lumps...perhaps that is why she found herself in a shelter without an owner??? One never knows but can only surmise. GRINinc. wanted to make sure Lucy's lumps and bumps were taken care of so she underwent some extensive surgery. Two lumps were diagnosed as lipomas (benign fatty tumors) and the other two were diagnosed as Mast Cell Tumors (cancerous). Because the lumps were so very large, the veterinarian unfortunately could not get all of the tumor. Lucy is doing very well despite her diagnosis. However she does have cancer and it can spread to other parts of her body, so Lucy is under the watchful eye of her foster parents.

Another story is that of Curry Bear belonging to Alesia P and Douglas M. Curry has had this lump for quite a while. Alesia has been diligent about watching the lump for any changes in size and appearance. The lump was aspirated at one time and thought to be a lipoma....nothing to worry about, right? Well that’s what Alesia thought until she noticed the lump getting larger and larger. Her new veterinarian encouraged her to have it removed since it was changing in appearance. Again, an unfortunate diagnosis ... the dreaded cancer. Unlike Lucy's case, the veterinarian does feel that she got it all, but Curry Bear is being watched for any changes that may indicate that the cancer is back.

Now the third golden to be affected is my own Charlie. Charlie has had a history of Mast Cell tumors (cancer) but he has been in remission for four years now. Of course I watch him for every bump and lump. MANY times I have taken him in to have lumps checked out only to find out that they were nothing to be concerned about. Suddenly I found a new lump but I must say that it was so very tiny and rather benign looking that I put it out of my mind ...I would just watch it. I found myself visiting my vet's office to have a new GRINinc dog checked out, so I thought I would just bring my Charlie along ... just for the heck of it and have my vet just take a quick peek at this tiny lump that was probably nothing ... well to my shock this tiny little nothing of a lump is cancer. It is a Mast Cell Tumor and poor Charlie found himself under the knife again. We don't know the extent of this but, because I found it when it was very small, I pray that Charlie has beaten this and he again will be cancer free for a very long time.

The MORAL of this very long and somewhat depressing story is this: Please, please check your dogs for lumps EVERY week or twice a week and if you find anything at all take the opportunity to visit your veterinarian...IT MAY BE NOTHING...BUT IT MAY BE SOMETHING AND THE KINDEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR DOG IS TO BE PROACTIVE...about lumps and bumps and goldens.

Mary Ellen Metro

GRINinc. currently has 6 goldens in foster care.

Click on WOOF REPORT on the left menu
to see photos of our recently adopted Goldens.

Don’t forget to check our current AVAILABLE DOGS !!

WATCH FOR OUR NEXT ISSUE OF 'NEWS UPDATES'
IN MID-MARCH 2008.
WE WILL BE POSTING A 'NEWS UPDATES' ISSUE EACH MONTH
AND HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY KEEPING UP-TO-DATE
WITH THE CURRENT EVENTS IN GRINinc.!