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Black tick like growths

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fizzed

Well-Known Member
As my girl gets older she is getting more and more smallish black rubbery textured tick like growths. She has one large one which I brought to the attention of my vet last year. She told me she had more serious health issues (like the sever muscle wastage/& DM symptoms she has ) and I should not worry about them - but I do. Anyone else have these on their dogues ? I remember that one internet search I did seemed to indicate a cancer type growth but have never seen anyone else complain about anything similar.
 
DennasMom

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Pics would help...
I would work on boosting the pup's immune system in defense of her other issues, that should help with the bumps as well. Good food, reasonable exercise, probiotics, maybe an herbal supplement? Not sure what all your vet has you doing already... could be a reaction to a treatment of some sort?

You could always request a biopsy, just in case. I know our vet glossed over some issues with our last pup to keep our costs down... I will push harder for more tests in the future...
 
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musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Yes, pics would help. Isn't your girl about 8 years old? What is DM? Is she eating, drinking, pottying and walking ok?
 
Boxergirl

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
DM is Degenerative Myelopathy. It's a progressive disease of the spinal cord. My Leo had it. It's heartbreaking. Walking is one of the first things affected, and potty issues follow and the disease progresses.

Fizzed, pics would definitely be helpful. The growths sound similar to mast cell tumors, but your vet should be the one to diagnose that. Has your dog been diagnosed with DM? Is that why the vet wasn't concerned about the growths?
 
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musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Thanks Boxergirl! I remember now fizzed posting about the DM. My Siberian Husky had DM and I had to put him down. :(
 
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fizzed

Well-Known Member
thanks Deb for the links - her growths are similar to these pictures but are a little more bulbous and are I cannot think of a better way of describing them as looking like ticks. At one stage I was convinced they were ticks but the largest has been in place for 18 months now and when I visited vet over them in June 2012 she told me they were the least of her problems. However, she also told me Fizzy would only be walking on 'those legs for another 6 months' and here we are over a year later and she is still out for 40 min walk each day. So my faith in her judgement is very limited to say the least.
 
Sadies Mom

Sadies Mom

Well-Known Member
I would ask the vet to do a fine needle aspiration of them. Just tell them that it would make you feel better if you knew exactly what it is.
 
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musicdeb

Well-Known Member
fizzed said:
thanks Deb for the links - her growths are similar to these pictures but are a little more bulbous and are I cannot think of a better way of describing them as looking like ticks. At one stage I was convinced they were ticks but the largest has been in place for 18 months now and when I visited vet over them in June 2012 she told me they were the least of her problems. However, she also told me Fizzy would only be walking on 'those legs for another 6 months' and here we are over a year later and she is still out for 40 min walk each day. So my faith in her judgement is very limited to say the least.
Click to expand...
Is there another vet to take her to since this vet doesn't seem to be reliable in her judgements? Good for Fizzy taking 40 min walks each day. Titan only does about 20-30. WTG Fizzy!
 
Boxergirl

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, but I think I'd be looking for a new vet. IMO, those lumps need to be taken seriously. I would look for a vet that will treat the whole dog and look past the DM. DM is progressive and many dogs live a relatively happy and active life for quite a while. I can't imagine why the vet didn't at least do a needle aspirate. Best of luck and I'd sure love to see more pics of Fizzy - you know, to put a face to the good wishes coming your way.
 
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fizzed

Well-Known Member
Going to another vet is the most sensible way forward however there are only 2 vets where I live and I have alienated myself from the other one because I refuse to booster vacs my dogs every year so I am not welcome there. I know that anaesthetic and DDBs are not always a good idea too as well but I am also quite aware that growths such as I fear these are - are also bad news. 2013-09-12 16.35.56.jpgHere she is - taken a few minutes ago - she has the backend that would look skinny on a chicken but I love her to bits and want to keep her as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
 
Boxergirl

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
She's beautiful. Absolutley beautiful. Maybe demand a little more with your current vet then. Insist on a needle biopsy. It may be that surgery isn't the best course of action. Boxers are prone to mast cell tumors and this looks very similar to some that my boxers have had. Many boxer owners use a regimen of benadryl and tagamet. Here's a link with some info. Maybe it will be helpful to you.
http://www.bavariasboxers.com/cancer.htm
 
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fizzed

Well-Known Member
Thanks Boxergirl, The particular vet was pregnant last time I went in - couple of months back - so I am hoping she may not be around for a while and I can see someone else at the practice.
 
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musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Fizzy is adorable! I want to crawl up on the couch with her and snuggle. :) Let's hope the pregnant vet delivered and is gone. :)

Please keep us posted on Miss Fizzy.
 
Sadies Mom

Sadies Mom

Well-Known Member
I had a lab with mast cell tumors. If it is that or until you know what it is, but not mess with them. The do release histamine and could make the pup feel really bad. You can try a anti-histamine over the counter meds. I noticed a lump on her muzzle as well in the last picture, does it look like the other once? Fizzy looks like a super sweet heart. Give her tons of hugs:eek:
 
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