Posted Aug 17 2010 12:29 PM by
Angie Baldwin Miya Massey
Miya Massey is a 5 1/2yr old Pug that we lovingly refer to as a poscket Pug because of her small size. Miya only weighs 9lbs. Miya has been coming to Post Pet Hospital since she was a puppy. At her annual exam in June of 2009 Dr. McReynolds noted a growth on her left front leg just below the elbow. At that time the growth was 4cm x 4cm and after a fine needle aspirate, pulling cells out of the growth, a hygroma was suspected. We recommended a padded area to rest to reduce trauma and impact. We did not recommend surgical removal at that time. Miya returned to Post Pet Hospital in March of 2010 because the growth on her elbow had grown in size, and was now the size of a golfball. We aspirated the fluid from the growth and gave the owner an estimate for removal. In May of 2010 Miya returned for us to aspirate the fluid again. At this visit we were unable to drain the growth completely and stongly recommended surgery. Within 2 1/2 wks Miya came in for removal of the growth that was now the size of a kiwi. Dr. Grossers concern at this time was closing the incision after removal and tension on the suture line due to the size of the growth and the area (the elbow) being a joint that is in constant motion. The mass ended up being 7.5cm x 7.5cm and was sent to the lab for histopathology after removal. We placed a pressure bandage in Miyas leg to keep any dead space from filling up with fluid and Miya was discharged that evening. She did remarkably well and her incision looked great at her 2 week suture removal.
The histopath report revealed a mast cell tumor which is malignant (cancerous). Miyas tumor was a grade 1-2 out of 10 and her prognosis is fair. Surgical removal can be curative but these types of tumors frequently recur and have the potential to metastasize (pass into or invade) to the lymph nodes, therefore we will be periodically evaluating Miya for any growth recurrence. Miya continues to do well and recently became a big sister to two Birman kittens!
