THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. XLIV. 
No. 517. 
JANUARY, 1871. 
Fourth Series. 
No. 193. 
Communications and Cases. 
A CYSTIC TUMOUR IN THE LUMBAR REGION 
OF A DOG. 
By Messrs. Gowing and Son, M.R.C.Y.S., Camden Town. 
A spaniel dog, twelve years old, was brought for examina- 
tion in reference to a tumour, which was situated in the left 
lumbar region, embracing at its base a space of about four 
inches. 
On manipulation the morbid growth felt somewhat firm 
and irregular ; the upper part was soft and fluctuating ; this 
was punctured with an exploring needle, and a cream-like 
fluid escaped ; when the sac was partially emptied, from the 
flaccid condition of the skin, the irregular surface of the 
tumour could be easily felt. 
It was explained to the owner that it would be possible to 
remove the tumour, and the poor old dog was put under the 
operation of the scalpel. An incision was made through the 
skin three and a half inches in length ; the integument was 
then reflected back, and the morbid growth separated from 
its cellular connection. The dissection was tedious and some- 
what difficult. At the part approaching the lumbar spine, 
the tumour was closely attached to the muscles, and one or 
two vessels had to be secured. The poor old fellow bore the 
operation well, excepting that he seemed faint. As the dog 
will not bear up well under much loss of blood, a stimulant 
was given to him in the shape of brandy-and- water ; sutures 
were passed through the divided integument ; the animal soon 
rallied, and is now progressing satisfactorily. 
[The tumour presented several peculiar features ; its walls 
were principally composed of white fibrous tissue, intermixed 
with a few fine fibres of yellow elastic tissue. Besides the 
cyst which Mr. Gowing punctured, there was another of 
XLIV. 1 
