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Joseph | 5 years ago
Small Lump On Dogs Ear. My Dog Is Around 10 Years Old At This Point, He Is …

Small lump on dogs ear.

My dog is around 10 years old at this point, he is a King Charles spaniel x Patterdale and has never had any major health problems. He is an extremely active and energetic dog but has a small hard red lump on his ear.

I probably noticed it a few weeks ago, as far as I can tell it hasnā€™t changed in size. He quite often gets thorns stuck in his skin as he likes to dive into absolutely anything to retrieve his ball, so maybe it could be an infected thorn wound? Even so, I will most likely be taking him to the vet but would like some other opinions first.

(It doesnā€™t seem to be giving him any discomfort)

2 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I donā€™t think that you need to rush to the vets office but I do think it should be seen by them. It is utterly impossible to diagnose any limp or bump via a photo. And honestly even in person I usually have to say that the only way we know for sure what it is is with biopsy. It is small so your vet might also ok the watch and wait scenario. But if I do this with my clients I always preface it with the following:
    I measure the mass with a ruler. And I tell the client to measure it at least weekly so monitor growth. I also give a ā€œreturn for recheckā€ instruction if it grows by 20% or more. And I further go on to say ā€œremove if it gets ____ bigā€. So it doesnā€™t grow too big to allow surgical excision.
    I hope this helps. Let us know what happens. Also ask your vet if they think it might be a histiocytoma. Iā€™ve seen lots of them. Good luck.

    1. Joseph Post author

      Hi, thanks for the advice!
      As I havenā€™t noticed much (if any) growth, Iā€™ll give it about a week or so to see if it does grow or shrink. And if it stays the same or increases in size I will take him to the vet. Like you said, itā€™s very difficult to tell what it it just by a photo or without a biopsy, but I did do some googling and it does look similar in appearance to a Histiocytoma. Even so, he will most likely go to the vet.

      Thanks for the advice!

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Paige | 5 years ago
Facial Swelling In Puppy

My puppy has a lump on the right side of her face. My dog sitter pointed it out to me when I picked her up from daycare today. It is soft and tender to the touch. She does not like when I try and touch it and I am unable to look inside of her mouth. It seems like it is really bothering her. She is eating and drinking normally this evening, but created herself and seems like she is in pain. I made her a vet appointment for tomorrow afternoon but is this something I should be seeking more immediate attention for?

3 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning-
    Sorry that your pup has an issue. I think if it is worse this morning that you should give a call to the vet and see if they can push your appointment up. And I would definitely note any changes…. more swelling, warm to touch, lethargy, change in appetite, etc. also try to think back and maybe even ask your dog sitter for help- see if you can pinpoint when it first appeared and what it could possibly be connected to. For instance, could it be a spider bite or some other bite? Or has phoā€™s mouth been tender lately? Could it be a tooth abscess? Anything to help your vet narrow down the possibilities to get the right treatment. Best of luck to you!!!????????

  2. Paige Post author

    Hey! – We took our girl to her appointment yesterday and the vet said that everything seems normal (temperature, eating habits, energy level, etc.) so we were directed to just keep an eye on it for now. There isn’t any point of origin around the lump so the vet speculated that it could possibly be a hematoma from playing rough with other bigger dogs at daycare. It doesn’t appear to have changed in size, but Norma’s (our puppy) disposition seems just slightly off. She vomited a little bit this morning as well, but she did also get a Lyme’s vaccine yesterday so there are a lot of factors at play. She’s staying home from daycare today and my partner is keeping a close eye on her. Thanks so much for your response and for checking in!! šŸ™‚

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Yvonne Phipps Yeager | 5 years ago
For 20 Something Years, My Male & Female (a Year Older) Older Cats Who Were Neutered & …

For 20 something years, my male & female (a year older) older cats who were neutered & spayed for about 17 years. My female cat has now started to do number 2 on the floor over in the corner floor areas around the litter box. I don’t get it? Why now after All these years? How can I stop this? If I get another litter box, he will have to use it as well. And I can’t keep them in a room apart (that would be cruel) – they’ve had the run of the house for 26 years. I’d appreciate the help. Oh! The only real thing that has changed has been that our dog died (we took him outside to potty ). I’m wondering what’s going on & how to stop this? Thank you.

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  1. Sarah

    When my petā€™s behavior suddenly changes to some this big completely out of the norm, I try to find what has changed either in the environment (like the dog passing away- so sorry about ????that) or I try to find out what has changed with them. The latter takes an appointment to the vet. I would make an appointment and let your vet know everything that is going on and let the run some tests to make sure kitty is ok. Best of luck.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    I have found that in a huge number of cases there is some difficulty getting into the box and posturing to defecate due to painful old cat joints. So maybe try a very low sided box (or even a cookie sheet) to see if this helps. Also the box should be kept very clean and new litter places in it every week. In some cases I also offer a different kind of litter. Maybe even play sand (plain play box sand, or pitting soil) to see if this helps them Reacclimate to the box. Also make sure your vet checks for things like anal sac issues (had one last week in a cat) and urinary issues. I hope this helps. Please let us know what happens.

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
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Josephine | 5 years ago
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Hi, I have a 16 yr old shih tzu that has had brain tumour surgery but had complication of regrowth of a cyst several times and went for fine needle cyst drainage quite a few times. She has degraded to the point of being totally non-ambulatory except for some head movements. She has to have her urine and stools expressed everytime and she has to be handfed. But she still eats very very well. I need advise on what my pet needs at this point and whether is there any reason/last wish that is making her hang on so dearly to her life despite her quality of life and body already failing her? Shes like a family. i am torn between keeping her alive and letting her go if shes suffering but my love for her and our bonds is muddling my thoughts and decisions. I have taken care of her intensely for almost a year now from prior surgery to post surgery and she had so many complications, cyst regowth several times, loss n regain limbs ability, pneumonia, anemia. She always pulled through but now shes at a stage where shes really just hanging onto her dear life i feel, lying the whole day, only able to move her head during mealtimes when she is hungry. I have spent over 30 thousand dollars this while for her medications and procedures and vet visits, she even goes for rehab/pt/accupuncture and hyperbaric which are very costly. It has gotten to a point that I am spending more than I earned every month on her rehab (even though she cannot move, she still does ultrasound therapy on her severely arthritic joints and some accupuncture to relieve any pain from not moving everyday and her mountain of medications and supplements. I really cannot imagine life without her, she is my pillar of hope and support in my dark and depressed life and family full of issues. Now my pillar is crumbling. I still take care of her, i dont care about my finances, i stopped going out except to work, i bring her everywhere whenever i can in a dog pram she just lies motionless. Its amazing how she would wake and eat so very very well and finish all her big plate of food every day twice a day but lies motionless and tired after that. Its amazing how she would use her whatever remaining energy to poop when i try to rub and stimulate her anus once everyday without fail. She would be so tired after all that. It kills me to see her like this. Before that she can move n walk or at least drag ard the hse n look happy still so its ok worth all these. I wake up 3 4 times every night to help her drink water eat snacks she would wake from hunger and pant everynight even now maybe from prednisolone. But now shes just motionless and heart murmur has reached grade 5 or 6 and anemic and totally cannot move at all but still eats super well and pee poo normal with help express. A part of me feels like euthanasing her to end her misery and my own heartache seeing her suffer yet i cant bring myself to do it thinking that she would be reallly gone and that i might have done it wrong because shes still wants to be ard and live that is why she is hanging on so dearly. Please advice me..please. i am so loss and torn between choices its killing me every moment im awake.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    hello,
    this question was answered elsewhere. I applaud you for your dedication and devotion to your pup. You have gone above and beyond. i wish you well,

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
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Carla | 5 years ago
Hi. I Have A 7 Months Female Husky And She Has Jaundice Symtoms. I’m Really Stress …

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  1. Sarah

    If you suspect jaundice or some type of liver disease, you need to get to gather vet right away.

    1. Carla Post author

      However, i just need something that i can lessen her pain. šŸ™ or additional treatment not only for medicine

      1. Sarah

        I understand that, but the only way to get treatment is for a vet to assess her situation and give a proper and full diagnosis. Please get to a vet right away to get help for your dog.

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Suz | 5 years ago
Shoulder Hematoma/seroma In An Adult Dog, After Microchipping

Hello animal lovers! I am seeking advice about a shoulder hematoma/seroma in an adult dog, resulting after microchipping.
I recently adopted a wonderful shelter dog. The problem started when she had to be microchipped, she was uncooperative and the technician had to do 2 insertion attempts, over the left shoulder. She bled from the injection sites for a few hours, but seemed ok otherwise.
Two days later, she jumped down out of our tall cargo van, started limping within minutes, wincing in pain, and had obvious swelling on the shoulder where the microchip was placed.
We took her to the vet, where they sedated her and placed a drain for a hematoma. The vet said there was a lot of inflammation, blood and clots. She prescribed an anti-inflammatory, no antibiotics. There was a lot of drainage the first few days, then less and less. The microchip came out, I found it on her bed one morning.
They removed the drain on day 8 with almost no fluid drainage present.
Within 36 hours of drain removal, the drain holes are well scabbed over and I can see and feel a small pocket of fluid (feels like a tiny waterbed) where the hematoma was. It is not growing, even with short walks and normal backyard activity. Her behavior is totally normal, no signs of pain or infection.
After researching, this seems to fit the bill for a seroma. I would prefer to watch and wait as long as she is acting normally instead of return to the vet for diagnosis and more possible interventions…
My questions are:
Does this sound like a seroma?
Could the hematoma have returned?
Should I go to the vet to have fluid drawn to confirm? Does it sound appropriate for me to decline another drain or aspiration as long as she is behaving normally?
Is attempting to place another microchip advisable?
Is it reasonable to assume that these are complications from a poorly done microchipping?
Any insights appreciated, thank you very much!

4 Responses

Comments

  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Iā€™m glad to hear that things have resolved and seem to be doing well. I always think it is best to talk to your vet about anything that you are worried about. It is always neat to keep the lines of communication open and healthy. Usually a seroma is just fluid clear and no blood or clots. I am not a fan of draining. It can introduce infection and keep a resolving problem an active problem. But you should discuss this with your vet. I think all pets should be microchipped. Find someone who is very comfortable doing it and try again. Best of luck. Keep us posted

    1. Suz Post author

      Hi Krista, thank you so much for your response on this awesome platform. I found pawbly through your blog post on seroma.
      Is the only way to diagnose a seroma to pull out some fluid with a syringe? Or can it be reasonably assumed via palpation?
      Thank you again. I am so grateful for this resource. (I am living in Portugal, so the language barrier can make clarity difficult at vet visits!)

  2. Sarah

    Hi there! Thank you so much for rescuing a dog. It does sound like it could be a seroma. I think if it starts to feel warm to the touch or your dog shows signs of discomfort that you should go to the vet ASAP. However- I would express the concerns and suspicions that you have shared here with them- regardless of when your next visit is. A simple discussion and quick Q and A would help get a good relationship started between patient, client and caregiver. I highly recommend micro chipping. Perhaps during your chat you can figure the best way to go about it next time? Very best of luck to you????????

    1. Suz Post author

      Thank you so much for your response, I am very grateful!

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Krista Magnifico | 5 years ago
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