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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be slightly concerned for DH's health as our dog keeps sniffing him?

178 replies

thethirdmrsdewinter · 23/05/2019 16:44

DH is outwardly healthy. Late-forties, fit and strong, no known current health issues. No recent changes, except that for the last month or so, our dog keeps sniffing/pawing one specific area of his abdomen.

DH first pointed this out to me - I think he thinks it's odd but unconcerning. A few times each day (and that's just when I'm there) she stands up against him and really sniffs this spot, a few inches to the left of his navel, occasionally gently pawing at it. There is nothing to be seen on the skin.

Last night when he took a shower I watched dog retrieve the t-shirt he'd just taken off, put it on the floor and sniff/paw the part of it that'd been on the bit of skin she sniffs. It made me feel uneasy, to be honest - she's never even taken a smelly gym sock from the laundry basket before now, and it seems strange to me that she's taking an interest in such a seemingly boring patch of skin.

So, am I being really stupid giving this any headspace whatsoever? Genuine question, and would actually be quite happy to be told yes, as I can worry a bit obsessively sometimes.

OP posts:
thethirdmrsdewinter · 24/05/2019 21:13

@PotteringAlong sadly not, but he did try to make an appointment with GP - the earliest appointment they could offer was 20th June. Given that he not only told me about this unprompted but was clearly a bit agitated, I think it's clear the sniffing is unnerving him a bit more than he'd let on before.

He's on board with arranging a full health screen with our insurers (Bupa), but having had a quick look into what this entails, I'm not entirely sure it would cover everything I'm worried about. It might be a start, though. They also have a phone line for policy holders who have concerns about cancer specifically, without the need for a GP referral first. Again, not sure this would be entirely appropriate, but I don't think there'd be any harm in calling and making use of a service we're paying for.

We both slept badly last night. Dog seems a little subdued, but she's very intuitive and smart (Border Collie) and always picks up on us being a bit stressed or down. Still sniffing away at the same spot.

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 24/05/2019 21:42

Take the 20th June, call every day fur a cancellation, tell them it's suspected cancer, and vet the BUPA thing booked soonest.

Sorry to use the 'c' word, but you need to push. Hopefully it'll all come back negative and all will be fine.

JustSomebodie · 24/05/2019 21:50

Surely he can get a same day appointment if he rings first thing?

thethirdmrsdewinter · 24/05/2019 22:16

@JustSomebodie at this point I don't think he feels comfortable requesting an urgent appointment. I'm not honestly sure if I would either (if I were in his shoes - obviously I want him to be seen ASAP by anybody appropriate).

OP posts:
homemadecookie · 25/05/2019 05:54

I work in a GP practice and agree that it's not suitable for an urgent appt, but I'd phone daily for cancellations. I'd also ask if there was a well man clinic he could attend beforehand and get routine bloods done. This will include full blood count which could show up raised white cells (infection) and liver function tests. If these come back abnormal he will be called in and that may allow him a quicker appointment. We have semi-urgent appt's for this reason, your surgery may do the same.

SunshineCake · 25/05/2019 06:51

Are you medically trained, homemade cookie?

OP please listen to the many other posters on this thread. Not the one saying don't rush.

BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 25/05/2019 07:15

I'm glad he's made an appointment and definitely follow up with BUPA too.

FWIW, id also feel it inappropriate to ask for an urgent appointment when I feel fit and well. Not saying that's right but I can see where he's coming from on that.

giantnannyknickers · 25/05/2019 08:01

Glad he's concerned! Dogs have an excellent sense of smell. My dog was very very connected to me throughout my pregnancy and used often just rest on my tummy listening to the heartbeat. Didn't leave my side throughout. It wasn't until 12 years later when I had my second baby they found a cancerous cyst which would have been there on my first pregnancy.

Trying81 · 25/05/2019 08:02

Our old spaniel ruined my SIL pregnancy announcement by constantly sniffing her belly when she was about to tell us. Very unusual as she’s scared of dogs so he never usually bothered with her as he’d get no attention and strokes

Current spaniel wouldn’t leave my mums foot alone after she’d had an op, was constantly trying to lick the area where the stitches were - turned out she’d got an infection in the area.

Dogs are amazing, when people doubt the abilities of trained sniffer dogs looking for blood or drugs I just think they obviously don’t have dogs themselves, as if they did they wouldn’t doubt what their noses could find

sueelleker · 25/05/2019 08:48

We've got a Sprocker.

3luckystars · 25/05/2019 09:15

I would go privately to a gp if you can or keep ringing for a gp appontment cancellation. I would take it very very seriously that the dog can sense something wrong, hopefully it's something minor.

I know a dog saved my uncle's life, it was carbon monoxide, and I have read so many times about dogs detecting something wrong.

Best of luck x

TidyDancer · 25/05/2019 09:16

This thread is amazing. Dogs are so clever. OP, I really hope your DH manages to get an appointment soon.

Alwaysawomantome · 25/05/2019 09:25

@Verastsnhope did you once send your story into a magazine or something. It sounds so familiar

Verastsnhope · 25/05/2019 09:41

@Alwaysawomsntome no but it sounds like something my sister would do ( haven’t spoken in years ) if she got paid for sending it in

MrsMozartMkII · 25/05/2019 11:06

OP - all the reports here show it's something that should really be followed up sooner rather than later.

Just remembered. I cracked a rib a few weeks ago. Went to a meeting with some people I didn't know. One of them had a dog with her and I sat next to them. The dog stayed very close and quiet next to me, almost leaning in but not putting any pressure on, kept looking at the area the crack was. He had no way of knowing there was an issue. His owner asked what I'd done as the dog always reacted in the same way to people who were hurting or had an underlying issue.

PurpleFlower1983 · 25/05/2019 19:29

Wow a month is a long time to wait if it’s something serious which it might be! I would definitely be requesting an urgent appointment.

homemadecookie · 25/05/2019 23:50

@sunshinecake yes, I'm a Senior Practice Nurse with over 20 years experience. I'm not sure if you're implying i was' the one who said not to rush' which i have never mentioned. I have suggested he ask to see the nurse and start the ball rolling. I know only too well that patients don't want to bother a doctor but are quite happy to come to the nurse. We don't bite and i'd like to think that we're a knowledgeable resource which may well get him seen quicker, or as least provide some reassurance if his tests are normal.

autumnleaves15 · 26/05/2019 00:11

How interesting to read all these experiences!

I hope your OH is okay and please let us know how it goes Flowers

JustSomebodie · 26/05/2019 01:51

What are your medical qualifications @homemadecookie?

Frittata · 26/05/2019 02:36

Dogs are so amazing and yet so much of Mumsnet are antidogs.

Frittata · 26/05/2019 02:38

homemadecookie you sound quite ferocious to me

SunshineCake · 26/05/2019 07:15

homemadecookie you said it didn't qualify for urgent, aka as don't rush.

UrsulaPandress · 26/05/2019 07:51

homemadecookie didn't say that at all. Or sound ferocious. Confused

GingerOClock · 26/05/2019 07:58

Amazing dog! Yes, explore options for quicker check up!

Gruzinkerbell1 · 26/05/2019 08:26

Dogs are amazing! I hope your husband is okay OP.