Hallelujah! Butch's biopsy came back clean, no cancer cells at all.
When I first posted about the biopsy, nan16 commented: "I have heard that sometimes when there have been numerous infections, scar tissue eventually builds up and it looks and feels like a tumor, much like an abscess can calcify around it after a long time." She was right on the money.
Butch has had repeated infections since October, and the speculation is that there was an anal-sac rupture that kept the area infected with bacteria. For now, he's on another four-week round of antibiotics, and then we'll see.
The vet said she doesn't think surgery is an option in the near future because the tissue in the affected area is too fragile. I wonder, though, if an anal sac ruptured, won't it keep on causing infections one right after another? We go back next Tuesday to get Butch's stitches out, so I'll ask more questions then.
Thank you all so much for worrying right along with us. Your support made it a lot easier to keep a positive outlook while we waited for news.
Oh I am so happy for your news and for Butch too. The poor baby, but thank goodness. I was worried for him.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking my little dog seems to look like she has cataracts forming on her eyes. She seems to see ok though, I think she and I need to take a trip to the vet. I think they can be removed. She is I'm guessing around ten years old, I've had her for nine and I adopted her from the pound and not sure of her real age. She could be a year of two older.
Anyway, hurray! I know how relieved you are. Give Butch a big ole hug for me.
Hooray! I am so so so happy for you and Butch!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news! I don't understand why the damaged tissue doesn't dry up and fall off. (pardon the imagery.) But at least that's one less worry!
ReplyDeleteI am glad it is not cancer....
ReplyDeleteRobbin, I think cataracts are pretty common in older dogs, and I'm sure your vet can explain the options to you when you're up to dealing with one more stressful situation in your life. I gave Butch a hug from you, and he's sending you back two big licks from his (slightly slimy) tongue. (You'll probably want to watch your chin about now.)
ReplyDeleteJavagirl, thanks a bunch.
Janet, thanks. The tissue in question is in Butch's rectum, so I don't think it's gonna dry up and fall off any time soon. And if it does, I hope I don't know about it. ;-)
4th Sister, thank you. When I was most worried about Butch, I'd often think about everything you've dealt with over the last year. Even if the biopsy had indicated cancer, I'd have remained hopeful because of you.
WHEW!!!! You and Butch have been on my mind since you first posted! So glad he's OK!
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm just getting to this today because I've been thinking of you all week. I am sooooo glad it's not cancer but I'm wondering why the vet doesn't take it out if he has so many recurring infections. Waiting won't make the tissue stronger and he still might have more infections. I'm just so happy for you, I know this takes a lot of stress away for you.
ReplyDeletegive Butch a hug for us!! and one for you also, so very happy for you and he
ReplyDeletepeace and blessings
keepers
Creekhiker, Nan16 and Keepers, thanks to all of you.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late getting to this...but just wanted to say...THANK HEAVENS! I'm so happy to hear this news...as I know you were too. So now...we have to just keep figuring out ways to fight that damnable infection. Remember when we had kids? They made us take sitz baths. I am just wondering.....maybe a very small kids pool with nice hot water. Would Butch go for it? You know they seem to know when we're trying to help them.
ReplyDeleteSigh, hand to the heart, sigh again. Thank goodness. X
ReplyDelete