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My dog's mysterious leg pain improved. Could it be a rare bone cyst?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 3 years and 6 months old | 69 lbs

My dog has been a mystery. She started limping back in July. Blasto came back negative, not an infection, did a biopsy and came back negative. Thought it was a bone cyst but surgeon said didn’t look like a normal bone cyst. By October she lost 10lbs and not using her leg at all which made surgeon think it may not have been a good biopsy n 95% sure it’s bone cancer. The end of November she gained back 10lbs and using her leg 90%. Good possibility of a rare bone cyst?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 6th, 2017

I would also consider getting another bone biopsy if the surgeon was convinced it was cancerous, but only if Maggie's condition warrants looking into this again. As long as she is doing well it is justifiable to put her through another invasive procedure such as this.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Typically when we are dealing with cancer the pet will continue to lose weight and not do well, unless of course chemo was started or prednisone to slow tumor progression. Therefore, if no medical intervention was done and your pets condition is improving, then this would lead us to believe that cancer is lower on the list of possibilities. We can't really comment on whether this is truly a bone cyst without any more specific information on the biopsy report; however, a benign condition would be more likely.
I hope that this helps and best wishes moving forward with Maggie. I hope that she continues to improve. Take care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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