Just found out Yoda has a HYSTIO CYTOMA :..(

[YodalovesHB]

I did not know much about these at first. The best description/definition can be found here http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/dise...istiocytom.htm. Good news is, Yoda is getting neutered & having the mass removed, all in one shot, and he's going to be A-okay. The estimate the vet gave me for both procedures was not as bad I had thought. I feel so bad whenever I see this growth underneath his collar It practically appeared over night, I swear! The definition of the Hystio Cytoma that I found on this site, is extremely accurate, and exactly what's going on with Yoda. The growth is about the size of a nickel or a quarter, it's a raised bump, and if you squeeze the skin, it feels like a cushiony ball. No puss comes out. At first, the Vet, and I, both thought it was an insect/spider bite, that he had just scratched way too much, and became irritated, and large . He DOES like to have it scratched though, but she says that they can be slightly itchy. He closes his eyes, and shakes his leg when you scratch it for him. Pray for Yoda that his surgery goes well. He is too cute to be having this thing! It looks like he's growing a third eye or something! Another good thing is: the growth is in a very furry area of his body (right under the neck/collar), so he will have his fur grow right over it, and you'll never be able to tell!

[Bayoucorgi]

Thank you for sharing about the lump. It's so scary when we encounter something we don't know about. My old dog had these too. These and lipomas are benign bumps. Good luck and hopes of a quick recovery.

[Jespah]

All the best for Yoda - he will be fine and we will keep him in our thoughts. Let us know when the surgery is, and how he is doing.

[Chip's Mom]

Digger had them also with fatty tumors to boot. Keep us posted on how everything goes. When is the surgery?

[Michael Romanos]

The thing that Yoda has must be related to what vets call in NZ a fatty tissue - they are non malignant and often get bigger and bigger if not removed surgically.

[LittlePonzo]

Good luck Yoda...We know you'll feel better soon!

[milles2]

Good luck to Yoda w/ his surgery. Hope he recovers quickly.

I'll never forget picking Tuck up from his surgery, I think they should have kept him a bit longer. His eyes were glassy, he was so happy to ee me, wanted to go home, but had this look on his face as if to say... "woa! what happened?".

Poor baby!

[YodalovesHB]

Well, Yoda is almost 5 months old. I would like to wait to that point, to go have the surgery done. The vet told me he's ready to be neutered since the balls have dropped, which I was surprised, b/c I thought I would have to wait much longer. Since he is a small dog, it will take very little anesthesia to do both the surgeries at once she said, rather than take him in two separate times. He is ready for both things to be done, so it works out well. I'm set on taking him on 1/24. It will be his 5 month birthday then... I don't know if he's going to be too happy with his bday present of "surgery" though!

[YodalovesHB]

<---- Here's a new picture too! (the camera flash got his eyes though!)

[YodalovesHB]

Yoda had his surgery today. He's getting used to walking around with his E-collar. It was tough for him at first, b/c he wouldn't lift his head high enough when walking, and he'd get stuck. He seems to be doing very well after having the mass removal + neutering. I'm sooo relieved that the hystio cytoma has been removed from him. It was hard for me to even look at anymore! It went from looking like a mosquito bite, to, becoming red, raised, and hairless-looking. It was just getting worse and worse, and growing aggressively. I would come to tears whenever I looked at it, b/c it was growing out of control, and became covered an area the size of a quarter, and felt like a ball. Anyways, it's long gone, and I just pray it never comes back. He has to wear the E-collar for almost 2 weeks! Poor thing... but he is such a good boy about it.

[Michael Romanos]

Good on Yoda for being so brave - don't ever tell him he can't now father a child but let's hope that he'll be lump free for ever and the only lump he'll see is the lump in your throat whenever he smiles at you.

[Fluffypants]

What a brave boy. He'll get used to the E-collar, and will be so happy when he realizes that that nasty bump is gone. Hang in there. My prescription is . . . extra treats and snuggles for both of you.

Keep us posted on the recovery.