Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Any ideas? (kinda gross)

OK, this isn't going to be the prettiest of posts so look away if you want. Mom found this on my head tonight, it's on the top of my head right by my ear. It's about 1/4" wide & tall, perfectly round and looks like it's just sitting on top my head. There is a hole in the middle too but nothing is coming out. Of course now she's freaked and googling which just makes her freak more. Has anyone had one of these or have any idea what it is?? She smeared Neosporin on it because she puts Neosporin on EVERYTHING. Sigh.

Thanks. Bear who is hoping not to go to the v-e-t.

PS It's hard and I don't care when she pushes on it.

26 comments:

Rufus and Indie said...

That doesn't look nice! Your mom must very brave!

wally said...

Hi! You probably know this from your google but it could be many things. There is a small chance it is cancerous but I've had a lot of those that looked just like that (flesh/pinky/red colored, small indentation in middle and hard) and they were BENIGN FATTY TUMORS (which is what my sissy calls me--NOT FUNNY.) They are very common in labs. They sometimes come and go. They sometimes come and stay. They are harmless unless they're in a place that, say, interferes with movement or irritates the eyes or something. I've had several removed and my ma ape has decided that if I get anymore they're staying. If you go to the vet they may want to 1) wait and see 2) do a needle aspiration (try to get some tissue out for a biopsy) 3) remove for a biopsy. If you're really worried about cancer I'd do 2 or 3. #3 is several hundred, #2 is a few hundred. #1 just costs you some anxiety. Our vet always says remove 'em but he also, um, is for aggressive treatment when it costs lots of $$ so...
Good luck, my brother in fatty tumors.

wally t.

wally t.

Anonymous said...

I hope it doesn't hurt Bear! Hopefully it goes away, whatever it is.


Sniffs and licks,

Chase

the TN Bull Terrors said...

Dawgmom says it looks like some kind of cyst, she has grooming clients that have those. We know you don't want to, but you should probably go to the vetties and let him look at it.

Feather, Darla, Pappy & LizzaBella

wally said...

Here's what it looks like to me: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1592&aid=455

Especially when you said it is just sitting there (ie, it is under the skin but not attached to muscle or bone). It could also be a sebaceous cyst which is just fluid built up in a pore, also not harmful.

wally t.

Toffee said...

Hi.
My mom is a dreaded V-E-T.

A couple of questions - how old are you? - does the mass increase or decrease in size? (I think you said it has stayed the same)

She suspects that it is just a benign papilloma or a wart. If you are a youngish dog (less than 2) then it could be a histiocytoma - these disappear on their own. My mom is putting her money on it being a papilloma or wart. Any mass (even if benign) if it starts to increase in size can be a problem if it is in a bad location. Also it is a lot easier to remove a smaller mass than a bigger one = )

Recommendations are as follows:
- watch closely for change in size/texture
- if any of the above happen recommend fine needle aspirate (or if you are worried do a fine needle aspirate)
- if it stays the same size but if you are under anesthesia for any OTHER reason (eg. dentistry) get it removed at that time
By the way, it is not likely a fatty tumor (lipoma) as these are under the skin (subcutaneously). Also, my mom specialized in veterinary oncology so if you have further questions do not hesitate to ask - either through my blog or (better) via Fbook.

Hope this helps.
Toffee girl

Anonymous said...

We vote for keeping an eye on it and as long as there's no changes put off seeing the vet until your next scheduled visit. When you get older you should go to the vet annually. Our dad's motto has always been "better safe than sorry." Our vet is an old country horse doctor that doesn't go in for all the elaborate expensive stuff unless it is REALLY needed.
- TBH

Lacy said...

w00f's Kinda looks like what Joey gits but its bigger...u mite wanna check their bloggie out and c if it looks like it..

b safe,
~rocky~

Molly the Airedale said...

Our paws are crossed that it's nothing serious, Bear!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

D.K. Wall said...

First, we sympathize with the Neosporin. We think it is part of our regular coat treatments.

Rusty gets those (and at least things that look like those) as well. The vet routinely examines them and we have had a couple tested, but all are fairly routine and not a problem. No harm in having them checked though.

Chester said...

WOW! That may not be pretty but you sure had a lot of helpful ideas in how to deal with it. Good luck with it. Mom is glad to have seen this in case I ever get a similar bump. Thanks to all the vetties who also chimed in!

Woofs and bumpy slobbers,
Chester

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

I agree with the vet lady. My Auntie Penny gets several of these things and they is warts. She did have them cut off last year as one behind her ear got caught with scissors so they tooked them all off at the same time, but she has two new ones now and they is staying. She be 11.
~lickies, Ludo

Patience-please said...

Wow, how nice of Toffee's mom to help out here! We hope it just goes away, or gets all stinky - that would be fun.

wags from the whippets

Sophie Brador said...

Bear! Don't worry dude. I get those things too, and Toffee's mom is probably right (isn't she great). I will get mom to send you a picture of my cauliflower mole, which looked just like that only way grosser. We are betting it is just an aging labby sort of thing. I still think you are handsome as ever.

xo
SB

Nibbles Treats said...

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Tinkerbell, Oscar and Tucker

Clay's Mommy said...

Our cousin Daisy had something similar to this on her head many years ago. We took her to the vet and they said it was a benign cyst. They removed it and we never had troubles again. Hope this helps!

The J.A.Z. Pack

Mason Dixie said...

My mom would be freaking out too. I have a bump on my head too, I had it checked out and I am okay, just told to keep an eye on it. Hope it goes away on own. =)

Lady Kaos said...

That's weird. I have a feeling you're going to have to go to the v-e-t for that one Bear! Keep us updated!
Kaos

ThePainterPack said...

Poor baby! Looks like a nasty thing! I think just listen to the nice V-E-T lady. We tried to add Toffee as a friend, but she's private! Is she a private V-E-T!! harooo roooo rooo!!!

Mya Boo Boo

Allison Walton said...

Have woo had it fur a long time?

We hope it iz nuffing serious!

Wuv,
Gus and Waldo

Khady Lynn said...

Our mom likes to put neosporin on everything too, but we just lick it off if we can get to it.

I would definitely get the vet to check it out. Does look alot like a sebacious cyst though, so hoping it is something minor!

Holly

Anonymous said...

Hi Bear,

As a person who was fomerly owned by a lab mix, I thought I'd toss my 2 cents in. One or two of these popped up as Boo got older - I'm pretty sure that they were diagnosed as sebaceous cysts and caused her no problems. I think that Dr. Wally might have sniffed this mystery out! Good luck.

Love,

AEW

Anonymous said...

Hey Bear!! Daisy here sending barks all the way from down under (I've messaged u before about my Mum being one of those freaky Mouse lovers on the Dis boards)Anyway,me and my litter sister Holly both have things that look like those bumps on our heads and necks, I have three and Holly has 2. Uncle Scotty (the vet) says they are WARTS ewwww gross!!! We are still loving reading your blog...many barks and licks from Daisy and Holly.

FleasGang said...

Eww! Definitely hide that from the ladies, Bear :-) There sure are lots of helpful pups here sharing their experiences. We don't have anything else to add but we wanted to thank your Mom for her donation to Project Pet. You all rock!

luv
Shelly & Tommy

Sharon said...

Ew! (haha) I put neosporin on everything, too. Good job to your mom!
It looks like you've got a lot of good advise so far! Keep us updated :)

S and D

Stoodleville said...

Nothing bad can happen to The Bear Dog!

Hi Toffee, where'd your mom hide your blog?

National Canine Cancer Foundation