Yesterday I took my girl to vet for a checkup because I found that the wort she had on her flank on over front right leg that had come back after a month or so after it had disappeared. When the vet did an aspiration on it he said that it wasnt a wort but developed into basel cell tumor. He said it was about 5mm in diametre.

She also has a smaller one just behind her skull to.

He said that it was nothing to worry about but I had two options one to have it surgically removed or just keep an eye on it.

He said that these mainly stay on skin and generally dont spread elsewhere.

Has anybody experienced having these on their dogs ? Should I be worried. She is 14 and half. Apart from this she is in very good health strong heart
and lungs, can see well eating well etc... Being 14 I am concerned about putting her under anesthetic again.

regards
Laura

Personally I'd get it removed. Anesthesia protocols are extremely safe these days. Ask them what their protocols are; do they give a pre-med (a mild sedative and pain reliever), then an induction, and are they then maintained on gas anesthesia. This three tiered protocol is called "balanced anesthesia" and it is extremely safe. The sedative allows the doctor to not have to give as much of an induction, and in turn they will not need to use as much gas anesthesia. Also some tranquillizers have a reversal agent. Ask questions, if you don't feel comfortable with what they tell you, go get a second opinion from a different vet. Not all clinics do things the same and have the same level of care.

Thanks Brook I will investigate and ask some questions.

Here's some links

http://pethealth.petwellbeing.com/wiki/Dog_Basal_Cell_Tumor

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_dg_basal_cell_tumor#.TxH9zfnNk_g

I'm sorry to hear about Laska's tumour. That's a great post from Brooke. Did your vet express a preference between removal vs wait-and-see? I think if it was me, I would go for removal. Don't let my recent experience put you off the surgical option - the lump was in an awkward place as far as healing goes (on his buttock and so moves every time he moves) and I think that's why we've had problems.