skin problems work in progress
For the purposes if this site I have broken it down into lumps, sores and itching.
lumps
Lumps can take the form of:
All new, unexplained lumps should be investigated by your vet. The chances are, particularly if your dog is over 7 years old, it will be a harmless fatty lump, however it is vital to get an expert opinion on each new lump as liposarcoma (cancerous) can initially appear much the same as fatty lumps. Your vet will be able to tell, usually from a simple examination, if it is anything to worry to about. The options for further investigation if they deem it necessary, are needle biopsy, ultrasound scan or lumpectomy.
- Fatty Lumps
- Warts
- Sebaceous cysts
- Bites
- Histiocytoma
- Cancer
All new, unexplained lumps should be investigated by your vet. The chances are, particularly if your dog is over 7 years old, it will be a harmless fatty lump, however it is vital to get an expert opinion on each new lump as liposarcoma (cancerous) can initially appear much the same as fatty lumps. Your vet will be able to tell, usually from a simple examination, if it is anything to worry to about. The options for further investigation if they deem it necessary, are needle biopsy, ultrasound scan or lumpectomy.
FATTY LUMPS: These are usually soft masses located just beneath the surface of the skin with limited mobility, i.e. they appear to be stuck the underside of your dog's skin. Unless it becomes large enough to inhibit movement there will be no need for any medical intervention at all. My own vet calls fatty lumps a canine form of cellulite, unpleasant to look at but not posing any danger at all.
WARTS (PAPILLOMA): Another common sign of old age, papillomas are wart like growths that are usually benign. Unless they bleed prolifically they will require no intervention.
SEBACEOUS CYSTS: Hair follicles that have become blocked with sebum.These cysts produce a dome-shaped swelling up to an inch or more in size beneath the skin, though most are smaller. They may need to be drained or excised, although often the advice is to leave well alone. If infected they can lead to an abcess.
BITES: Often characterised by a rapidly appearing red bump with visible puncture wounds. Can often be mistaken for grass seed impregnation. Will usually respond well to Piriton (chlorphenamine maleate).
HISTIOCYTOMA: Histiocytomas are rapidly growing tumors found in dogs 1 to 3 years of age. They occur anywhere on the body. These benign tumors are dome-shaped, raised, hairless surface growths that are not painful. Because of their appearance, they are often called button tumors.
CANCER:
WARTS (PAPILLOMA): Another common sign of old age, papillomas are wart like growths that are usually benign. Unless they bleed prolifically they will require no intervention.
SEBACEOUS CYSTS: Hair follicles that have become blocked with sebum.These cysts produce a dome-shaped swelling up to an inch or more in size beneath the skin, though most are smaller. They may need to be drained or excised, although often the advice is to leave well alone. If infected they can lead to an abcess.
BITES: Often characterised by a rapidly appearing red bump with visible puncture wounds. Can often be mistaken for grass seed impregnation. Will usually respond well to Piriton (chlorphenamine maleate).
HISTIOCYTOMA: Histiocytomas are rapidly growing tumors found in dogs 1 to 3 years of age. They occur anywhere on the body. These benign tumors are dome-shaped, raised, hairless surface growths that are not painful. Because of their appearance, they are often called button tumors.
CANCER:
sores
Sores can be hotspots, grazes abcesses
itching
fleas allergies