Consult for lump removal = heart murmur

[black_paws]

Emmy (9 yrs 10 mnths) has a lump on her left hind quarter.
In October 2012 I took her to the vet to have it checked and an in-house diagnosis of lipoma was given. Over the next two years it has grown enough to make me concerned and considering its removal before it affected her mobility. Our current primary vet wasn’t comfortable doing the procedure indicating it was below the muscle and suggested that the “traveling surgeon” (someone that visits the local clinics/hospitals) would be bettersuited for the case. I was not comfortable with that idea. Fortunatelywe live in proximity to vet specialists, so I made an appointment for a consult.
Off to the appointment we went. Did the standard debriefing of medical history, then the vet started his evaluation, and then it started going downhill from there.

Vet : Has anyone ever mentioned Emmy has a heart murmur?
Me : (shocked) NO!
Vet: I’m not convinced this is the typical lipoma.
Me: Great. (mind now racing in a million directions)

Note to self…. Stop going to these appointments alone.
Unfortunately DH and I have opposite work schedules and trying to orchestrate appointments and time off is not an easy task.

So after discussion with the vet and with DH we are moving forward to at least get some answers. Appointment with the cardiologist and biopsy is Thursday. All we really want to know is…

1. How severe is the heart murmur?
2. What is the lump?

We at least need to know what is going on so we can have a plan in place, no radical treatment, just a plan.

Now I just need to avoid googling heart murmur and all the other medical terms that came my way today, and just wait for the results.

[Berna]

No input but sending good thoughts for Emmy.

[dynamicgang]

They will probably do an echocardiogram. This is one of the times I hope you have pet insurance. Maybe the cardiologist will give the all clear without costing you an arm and a leg.

[POPTOP]

Not what you wanted to hear. Sending tons of mojo.

[3ChocMom]

Sending good thoughts! Try not to panic, not all heart murmurs are severe enough to cause major issues. Did the vet tell you what grade the heart murmur is?