wow thanks all. man it has been one hellish week and I think I just paniced- my nerves are about shot, lol.

We'll go in the morning unless I see a change. It was just scary how it popped up like that.

No, I'm not positive it wasn't there yesterday, but pretty sure. It's been since about 6 that I noticed it... and no changes, swelling, anything like that. I think in the back of my head I was thinking maybe it's bloat (probably totally irrational)- but surely he'd be in a lot of pain if it was...

Just a new "parent" freaking out I guess-- thanks for all the support! I really appreciate it-

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
Doesn't sound like bloat at all...see the link above for signs of bloat.

 Quote: Karla Armendariz

http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
Doesn't sound like bloat at all...see the link above for signs of bloat.

Agreed. Bloat is not a golf-ball size swelling.

Just a thought....have you checked him over for any wounds anywhere else besides the immediate area?

Jiggs, the BH pup that was here for a while developed an abcess on top of his head, it started out small (and I was not sure what it was at first as there was no wound right in the same area) so I waited til morning to take him in. When I went to load him it was HUGE and I was a little mystified.

When we got to the vet and gave him a small amount of sedative so that he would be easier to hold still to lance the abcess, we found a scab about 8 inches away on the lower part of his neck that was a little inflamed.

That was, what we think was the culprit as he had clear eyes (no scratches or dirt in them), ears (clean and normal) and a good dental check.

Altough it is impossible to tell over the net. If you can move it a around a relatively far distance and if it soft it is most likley just just a fat cycst. They can often shrink and grow very quickly

The vet will likely take some cells and make a smear slide and tell you what is going on.

My neighbor went through a similar experience last week. Her dog had a mast cell tumor. But they are usually in the skin and can not be moved very easily. Yours sounds like it is under the skin.

Did you take him in yet? Please let us know what the vet said!

Sorry it took a while to get back to the computer. I managed to get mild food poisoning friday night in addition to all of this.

The vet's office was able to get me in at 10am- which was really nice of them on such short notice. At first the vet thought it was a fatty lump, then she stuck a syringe in to remove some of the contents, and a light red liquid came out... she asked if it had been possible that he had been kicked, because this was basically the dog's body's way of protecting itself after some sort of blow.

Obviously it was NOT from being kicked. I told her that he spends time in the yard with his pal dixon while I"m at work, and something might have happened while I was away, but typically people don't get too close to the yard (to which she replied jokingly "I can't imagine why?"). I also mentioned that he'd fallen off the bed a few days prior and landed on that side. He tried jumping up, but there wasn't quite enough room and he slipped off. She said an impact (I have hardwood floors) like that could have caused it.

The only other possibility was a hernia... she took some xrays and said that she was 85-90% positive it wasn't a hernia because of the placement (over one of the ribs), and because she couldn't feel any kind of 'hole' in the body wall. Told me I had three options: 1) send him for an ultrasound on monday, 2) inject some dye into the liquid filled area and take another xray to see if it leaked into the intestines, or 3) I could go home and keep an eye on him.

I hope I made the right decision, but I decided that I would take him home and keep an eye on him. She basically said that if he developed any sensitivity in the area, lack of appetite, vomiting, fever, or lack of energy to bring him in asap. So far he is going full steam ahead and is chowing down like normal... She sounded pretty sure it was not a hernia, but just couldn't tell for certain from the xrays. We have a follow up visit in 2 wks for her to look at the area again and make sure things are healing.

Oh- and I'm supposed to be keeping an ice pack on it 3 times a day to keep any swelling down. I've been trying but keeping an ice pack on the energizer bunny is quite a challenge. I'm about to try ace bandaging those frozen peas to his side and letting him loose, lol.

One other thing that was odd to her was that his heart rate was way down at like 60 bpm. Said that was more common of a horse, not a dog (which she said is usually at 100 bpm) but that it may just be normal for him. Told me it was something we should take a look at when this is cleared up...

I really hope this is all gonna be ok. Meanwhile we're keeping an extra close eye on him and he's spending a little more time in his crate. I still may get the dye or ultrasound done for peace of mind, but the vet was pretty sure he'd be fine, and xrays/ultrasounds aren't cheap. That makes me sound like such a mizer

Anyway- sorry so long but that's the full report. Thanks again to everybody who lent support and answers!

I don't want to get you alarmed, but I lost a shepherd mix to hemangiosarcoma. At first I noticed she had a lump near her chest/eblow and the vet thought it was a fat lump. If the vet drained it, and grew back again. A good chance that your dog might have hemangiosarcoma.

 Quote: Lindsay Janes

I don't want to get you alarmed, but I lost a shepherd mix to hemangiosarcoma. At first I noticed she had a lump near her chest/eblow and the vet thought it was a fat lump. If the vet drained it, and grew back again. A good chance that your dog might have hemangiosarcoma.

Isn't hemangiosarcoma of the skin a dark red or blackish lump?

Yes, dermal hemangiosarcomas are typically dark or discolored. Good info here:

http://www.caninecancer.com/skincancer.html

It does sound like just a hematoma from a bump or knock, but I would get the lump checked again if it persists or seems to be getting bigger.