Tumor/Growth on Face

K

Kelsey

Forums Regular
Hi everyone- just a little bit of background on my sheltie, Henry. A year or two ago, he developed what I think was a histiocytoma on his nose. He certainly fit the parameters as a young dog (was only 2 or 3 at the time), and from everything I read, shelties are a breed that are prone to get them. I posted on this forum and received some feedback about topical castor oil treatments, so I started that, and the growth regressed and disappeared within a matter of weeks- hooray!

Now, fast forward a year or so later, and he has another one (single/solitary) on his face. He still fit the parameters as a young dog (was only 3) and breed predisposition, of course. This time, however, the castor oil and other recommendations did nothing for it, and it has continued to grow. I would post a pic, but I don't have those privileges, but it has gotten to be a decent size. Nothing has worked to shrink it. We decided that if it was still there/growing when he turned four (which was right around the corner), we would have it evaluated. He just turned four, so off to the vet we go this upcoming Friday. I assumed it was another histio and that it would disappear like the other one, but now I'm worried since it has continued to grow.

Has anyone had experiences with growths on your dog's face and what I might be looking at here? I've read about mast cell tumors and understand that the average age for onset is 6-8. He just turned four, so I'm hoping he's on the young side for anything serious. A few things worth noting: 1- the growth is ON his skin, easy to move, hairless, and I can touch my fingers together underneath it... So the only thing it seems to be attached to is his skin. 2- I don't think he has even noticed it/it doesn't seem to bother him. 3- he has always been a very itchy dog, and 4- He doesn't have any other lumps or bumps that we have noticed.

Any thoughts? Encouragements? I know I'll find out more later this week but am a bit anxious.
 
I don't have any experience with facial growths but I do have a girl who's had mast cell tumors removed. She had surgery in March and now I follow a dietary and supplement protocol to hopefully keep them from reappearing or new growths. I hope your boy's growths are nothing serious!

You mentioned that he's always been itchy. Have you considered having him tested for allergies? My 16 month-old girl is also itchy, with small bumps on her torso, and we're in the process of testing her for food sensitivities since bloodwork for environmental or seasonal allergies was all negative. Allergies can cause all sorts of things. Sometimes a dietary change will help. You may want to talk to your vet about testing him for allergies too.

Good luck and please let us know what your vet says.
 
Gavin has had 2 tumors removed. One was a mast cell (getting those early is very important) that felt like a bug bite. The other was a sarcoma that was button like, but we couldnt get it all :(
earlier is MUCH better. Now Gavin has 12-15 lipomas; i gave up on having them tested over a year ago as there are too many and he is 13. But if one started growing and getting bigger I would have it looked at.
 
Ann said:
I don't have any experience with facial growths but I do have a girl who's had mast cell tumors removed. She had surgery in March and now I follow a dietary and supplement protocol to hopefully keep them from reappearing or new growths. I hope your boy's growths are nothing serious!

You mentioned that he's always been itchy. Have you considered having him tested for allergies? My 16 month-old girl is also itchy, with small bumps on her torso, and we're in the process of testing her for food sensitivities since bloodwork for environmental or seasonal allergies was all negative. Allergies can cause all sorts of things. Sometimes a dietary change will help. You may want to talk to your vet about testing him for allergies too.

Good luck and please let us know what your vet says.
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How old is your girl?

I have no doubt that Henry has allergies and he's been to the vet for skin issues. They've prescribed apoquel in the past. He is on grain-free lamb food, and I also give him fish oil. He's no longer on the apoquel, but I give him benadryl. I've actually wondered if the growth is a reaction of some kind. He wears the seresto collar and also had vaccines back in the spring/summer.
 
Kelsey said:
How old is your girl?

I have no doubt that Henry has allergies and he's been to the vet for skin issues. They've prescribed apoquel in the past. He is on grain-free lamb food, and I also give him fish oil. He's no longer on the apoquel, but I give him benadryl. I've actually wondered if the growth is a reaction of some kind. He wears the seresto collar and also had vaccines back in the spring/summer.
Click to expand...

Checkers is 12. They found the mast cell tumors doing surgery for her gallbladder in March. Interesting that you mention Benadryl. One of the recommendations is that she gets one Benadryl daily for life, along with grain-free food and either cottage or ricotta cheese.

Flurry, my 16-month old who has the alllergies, has been tested for everything. I finally started home cooking her food at the suggestion of a canine nutritionist who said that the problem could be yeast and gave me a specific recipe to use. She's been on apoquel too. The change in food has seemed to help. Once she's off the apoquel for two weeks, I can run the food sensitivity test.
 
Well, the vent did an impression smear and said she didn't see anything bad. However, because of the location, she recommended surgery, so I'll be having it removed. I also told her about a lump I discovered on Thanksgiving Day. She checked it out and said it's most likely fatty/lipoma. She was very calm and nonchalant about all of it.
 
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