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Ear lump on dog. Very concerned

28 replies

Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 21:53

Hiya. I have a 10 year old Cockapoo.

He’s relatively healthy although recently gained 3kg with no explanation. He’s walked regularly and fed a decent diet.

he has a lump under his ear (at the base of his ear) which has been checked by a vet in lockdown who said it looks benign.

About 6 weeks ago he rolled in some fox poo and it covered the lump, I didn’t realise for a few days. When I cleaned it up it was very red, angry and smelly.
we Clipped his fur and cleaned up the mess.

the lump became more and more angry and began to discharge and smell. We attended the vets and were prescribed a 10 day course of antibiotics with anti inflammatories and anti histamines.

The lump has become progressively worse and more smelly. The vet has now taken biopsies and we’re waiting for results.

I fear the worst. It looks awful. I work in healthcare so I have a little bit of knowledge.

the vet wants to remove it (which is most definitely needed) but I wondered if I put a picture on here I could have a few opinions as to what people generally think.

Honestly , I’m prepared for the worst news but he’s happy (apart from trying to scratch like mad and rubbing his head on the carpet) he has a cone so this is trying to be prevented.

The only other symptom I’ve noticed is that his breathing is a little more noisy (snoring more) and sometimes panting.

he’s eating, drinking, playing and waking 4.5 miles with no concern.

Thank you

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 01/08/2023 21:54

Have you mentioned the weight ? Have they listened to his heart ?

Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 21:59

DustyLee123 · 01/08/2023 21:54

Have you mentioned the weight ? Have they listened to his heart ?

Hiya,
I didn’t mention his weight gain, no. I did say I was surprised.
No, his heart wasn’t listened to.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 01/08/2023 22:00

I think you need to mention the other symptoms.

Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:04

DustyLee123 · 01/08/2023 22:00

I think you need to mention the other symptoms.

I will. We have to go back on Friday.

I just thought if it was just an infected, benign lump, after the abx it would have looked less angry but as I said it’s getting worse.

its very smelly (to the point that when I walk in the house I can smell him)

OP posts:
Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:10

Im thinking it’s a fungating mass cell tumour. If I google this images it looks just like that.
I’m very realistic about all of this, and as I said, expecting the worse.
I’ve told the children he will be ok (but I just kind of needed another opinion other than the vets) she’s very lovely but I feel quite rushed when I’m there and she has dismissed me talking about the worst case scenario and has only talked about removing it and then all being fine.

OP posts:
Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:12

*mast

OP posts:
Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:29

ghislaine · 01/08/2023 22:21

Could it be a histiocytoma? They present most often in the ears. https://seniortailwaggers.com/pictures-of-histiocytomas-in-dogs-what-to-do/

Quite possibly but that article mentioned it’s common in younger dogs. Ted is 10. It also mentions that they don’t cause itching or pain. This one is really irritating him. He doesn’t let me near his ear. Rubbing his head, scratching and it’s bleeding and discharging even if he’s not able to access it to scratch x

OP posts:
ghislaine · 01/08/2023 22:48

Oh poor boy. Best of luck to you and your woofer.

Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:56

ghislaine · 01/08/2023 22:48

Oh poor boy. Best of luck to you and your woofer.

Thank you. I’m worried sick. (Also not insured which I could kick myself for-that’s something I regret)
i have a bad feeling so if he’s ok then that’s a massive bonus.

picture of healthy looking ted just to cheer this thread up ☺️

Ear lump on dog. Very concerned
OP posts:
ghislaine · 01/08/2023 22:58

Gorgeous boy!

Duckinghell80 · 01/08/2023 22:59

ghislaine · 01/08/2023 22:58

Gorgeous boy!

He’s beautiful…they all are. He’s my best friend and a lovely boy to cry on if I’m feeling down

OP posts:
ExPreschoolTrustee · 01/08/2023 23:10

Our 13 year old lab has just had two weepy cysts taken off under G&A by the vet
They were weepy but vet said benign but better to get rid as they were crusty/itchy

So may not be that bad!!

It was a day job and she was just sleepy for the rest of the day (but obv always a risk with G&A)

Duckinghell80 · 02/08/2023 11:15

ExPreschoolTrustee · 01/08/2023 23:10

Our 13 year old lab has just had two weepy cysts taken off under G&A by the vet
They were weepy but vet said benign but better to get rid as they were crusty/itchy

So may not be that bad!!

It was a day job and she was just sleepy for the rest of the day (but obv always a risk with G&A)

Fingers crossed Ted has something similar x

OP posts:
ghislaine · 09/08/2023 22:06

I was just thinking of Ted and hoping you had good news from the biopsy.

Duckinghell80 · 10/08/2023 08:44

ghislaine · 09/08/2023 22:06

I was just thinking of Ted and hoping you had good news from the biopsy.

Hi, ahh thanks for thinking of him.
his results came back as it being a basal cell carcinoma. He has an appointment next week to discuss surgery. The vet said all being well be should be fine once it’s removed.

OP posts:
ghislaine · 10/08/2023 10:25

That’s really reassuring. BCC’s are easily removed and don’t tend to metastasise. Best wishes for the op and Ted’s recovery.

Duckinghell80 · 10/08/2023 14:12

ghislaine · 10/08/2023 10:25

That’s really reassuring. BCC’s are easily removed and don’t tend to metastasise. Best wishes for the op and Ted’s recovery.

Thank you ☺️

OP posts:
Erinjay · 20/10/2023 07:12

Hi Duckinghell80

i was googling to try and find out what my dog has and came across your picture. I have a 13yr old cocker and she has exactly the same (or so it seems) as your dog.
it just grew super quick and i didnt even notice it until the other day. Have appt next week for biopsy. Just wondered how your dog got on?

Ear lump on dog. Very concerned
CarrieMoonbeams · 20/10/2023 07:33

Hi @Erinjay , I'm reposting your message with the @ in front of the OP's name, that way she'll get a notification.

I hope your lovely dog is ok, I have 2 Spaniels myself and they're just wonderful 🤗

@Duckinghell80 , hoping you see this and are able to offer @Erinjay some words of reassurance. Also hoping your gorgeous boy is well too.

Erinjay · 20/10/2023 10:11

Thankyou im not very techno!

Duckinghell80 · 20/10/2023 10:43

Hi @Erinjay

i found out that Ted had a basal cell carcinoma. He had a biopsy and a few weeks later he had it removed (as day surgery) he’s as good as new now 🥰 I hope you get sorted soon xx

thanks @CarrieMoonbeams xx

OP posts:
Erinjay · 20/10/2023 11:00

@Duckinghell80
oh thats brilliant for him. I hope we have the same. Im just worried about it coming back. As you say in your thread, it stinks! I dont want it to go septic so i keep cleaning it and spraying with antiseptic. Its just gross!

CarrieMoonbeams · 20/10/2023 11:09

Excellent news @Duckinghell80 , and @Erinjay I hope this puts your mind at rest a bit and your wee dog is sorted soon too xx

Funnily enough, I had a basal cell carcinoma on my face (it was flat though, just like a new mole had appeared), I got it removed and was reassured by the doctor that it's very unlikely to reoccur.

Erinjay · 20/10/2023 16:56

Hope you are all healed well now.
yes the growing back was what i was afraid of because its so horrible.

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