Large lump on Border Collie's ribs

[Count-A-Strong]

Found a large, orange sized lump on the rear left ribs of my Border Collie. Managed to get him into the vets who have given me two types of antibiotics and some other meds. They did find a little nick in the skin so were hoping it's an infection rather than anything more serious. Have to take him back to vets on Tuesday. He seems fine in himself. Has anyone (Lankeela?) experienced anything similar?
I've done all the google research but was just after a bit of personal experience.

[divegirl]

Hi, sounds nasty for your poor dog, is the lump a moveable one or is it attached to anything?

Lisa x

[Count-A-Strong]

Not sure divegirl, feels pretty immovable ( which I know isn't good) but the vet seemed hopeful as it has appeared suddenly. She did say it could be an infected mass of tissue.

[divegirl]

Awww....not brilliant but I'm no expert! But the sudden appearance is a good sign especially if there is an injury there. I've seen some huge lumps come up on my dogs from the most minor scratches so fingers crossed that is what it is.
Please keep us posted.

Lisa x

[Count-A-Strong]

Lisa, I will. Thanks for your concern. He's very special to me.

[Count-A-Strong]

And the thing about large lumps from small scratches is reassuring.

[Sqad]

CAS I am no vet, but I agree totally with divegirl´s reasoning...........it sounds like an abscess.

[Count-A-Strong]

Cheers sqad thanks for your input.

[Sqad]

CAS...one of our cats had a bl00dy great swelling in its neck and it wouldnt let me get near him. He sat underneath some bushes for 4days, no food or water that we noticed,the lump burst and he popped straight back into routine.

I thought that it was a snake bite or rat bite that had become infected.

[ethandron]

ooh, sqad, are you diversifying now and getting into animal illnesses?

[boxtops]

Sqad, one of my cats had similar some years back - the vet suggested that it was a bite from another cat, they are pretty toxic!

[Count-A-Strong]

Urgh! Nasty squad ( but reassuring) The vet did try to drain it but there was nothing there ( not a good sign again, I know) but she did say it could be some infected swollen tissue.

[Sqad]

eth....you know me baby!!!!!

CAS....no, because it cant be drained, all that means is that there is no pus there.....yet.

It could even resolve.....without drainage.

[ethandron]

sqad,
oh i do ron, ron ron, i do ron ron :o)

[Sqad]

eth...you are one cheeky "brod" ;-)

[Count-A-Strong]

Yes, that would be the best news. He's on synuxol, antirobe and metacam ( if they mean owt to you)

[lankeela]

One of mine was at the vets on Wednesday with a lump on his neck, it started as a wart like thing but he scratched the top off and it has become infected and full of pus.
He's also on antibiotics, to bring down the infection so we can then check the warty thing to see if its anything sinister. You can sort of grab it and pick it up so doesn't look like its growing inwards. Infections can quickly cause swelling, and the first two medications are antibiotics and anti inflammatories, but not sure why he has given metacam, as thats usually used for joint or mobility problems and should not be given long term as it can have side effects. Did he tell you to bathe it with warm salt water? Thats always good for infected sites.

[Sqad]

lankeela.....I think that metacam is given for pain relief as it is a NSAID.

[Count-A-Strong]

Hi Lankeela, thanks for your input and I hope your BC is fine. Mine has been running around in fields of maize stubble over Christmas so I'm hoping that one of these has caused the lump. Strange about the metacam. Could have done without it if it's unnecessary as the bill was £60 !

[Count-A-Strong]

No mention of bathing it but he's going back on Tuesday.

[lankeela]

My dog is a thirteen year old Lancashire Heeler. Metacam is also an anti inflammatory so presumably given to bring down the swelling. One of my greyhounds had antirobe when she had a gum infection, as its often used for mouths and bad teeth.
My bill was £46, but what can you do? Could have been worse, could have been a Christmas day callout! Could have been a seed or stalk lodged in his side from the field, hope he's soon back to normal.