My little dog has developed a growth. It is just smaller then a dime and is pinkish red in color. It did seem it was growing but seems to have stopped. is this something to be really worried about or is it something that will go away? Please help. I don't have the money for a vet BUT if it is something that could be life threating to him I want to do what I can to protect him.
2007-07-22 08:26:24 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
It could be a wart, mole, cyst. It could even be cancerous. There is no way to be sure unless it's checked by a vet. Check with your vet about the money issue. Most vets are willing to put you on a payment plan. There is also a pet credit card that alot of vets accept called CareCredit. We have one and it's come in handy more than once when we couldn't afford the $1,200 vet bill.
2007-07-22 08:35:00 · answer #1 · answered by Zoozy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is the dog and where is the growth? If it's on his anus, it could be a plugged anal gland or a tumor. If it's on his back, it could be a harmless skin tag. If it's near a nipple, it could be a cyst. If he's young (under a year), it's more odd than if he's older. Also, is the normal color of the skin in that area pink, gray, or black? Is it pinkish-red because it is irritated or is that basically the same color as the skin in that area?
I am very concerned that you say you don't have the money for a vet. What can you do to protect him if it is a problem which requires surgery and follow-up medications like antibiotics, etc? What would you do if he was involved in an accident and broke a bone, or got into something poisonous and needed immediate treatment? I'm not trying to be mean; I'm just trying to point out that you seriously need to consider whether you can adequately care for him in the longrun. If you can't afford a vet, you probably don't have him on any type of heartworm preventative, which is risky. How is his skin--does he have flea-bite allergy or is he getting regularly bitten by flys on his ears and back? Is his weight appropriate? What are you feeding him? Are you struggling just to get by?
If you are not going to be able to offer him veterinary care in case of emergency and know you can't even offer him basic veterinary attention on a regularl basis, you might want to consider talking with your local shelter or animal welfare/rescue organizations to see if finding a new home might be in your dog''s best interest.
Please don't misunderstand; I know "poor" people can make excellent pet owners. But dogs need regular veterinary check-ups and access to veterinary care in case of emergencies or questionable symptoms. Many communities have organizations which help people with emergency veterinary bills or low-cost clinics which offer basic screenings and treatments. Many shelters can offer basic assistance or have a person on staff who could look at your dog's growth and give a more experienced opinion. Other people set aside money specifically for veterinary emergencies. The fact that you say you don't have money for a vet really worries me.
2007-07-22 08:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by spayneutersusan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally speaking, if the lump moves when you push it it's probably a fatty growth.
But the vet would do a biopsy and it isn't horribly expensive. You're not talking thousands of dollars. More in the range of 100 or something to that effect. Take your dog to the vet. It'll be an emergency call so you'll probably get hit wiht that $15 fee but then he can look and give you his opinion. If he wants a biopsy - which he probably will to confirm - ask how much it is and if it's out of your range perhaps the vet has a payment plan or you can just wait and watch, saving the money in the interim.
2007-07-22 08:36:32 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say where the growth was. If it's on the head/face/neck, these are common but those are usually covered with hair. It could be a mole.
If it's an extra growth on the paw pads and looks like an extra pad developing, it should be removed if it interferes with walking.
If it's on the mouth or nose, it should be removed. If it's on the body, just have it checked next time he goes in for a checkup. Most of these are benign (non-cancerous), a lot of people call them 'old dog lumps', but occasionally they're something that needs to be watched, especially if they change color or don't have hair on them.
2007-07-22 08:35:00 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you do not have the money for the vet, I would suggest keeping an eye out for other growths. Both my boys have "fatty" tumors (vet says) and when I took them there to check them out, he poked them with a larger needle (from a shringe) and looked at the goop. How old is your dog? where is the growth? Is it rough or smooth. Try poking a hole in it and squeezing out some of the goop if you can. Then clean the area with 50% hydrogen peroxide and water.
P.S. Ignore anyone who gives you a hard time because you do not have the money right now. Not all dog lovers have extra cash. But I bet your dog is loved, fed and is warm and dry at night.
mastiffs360.com
2007-07-22 08:34:24 · answer #5 · answered by Mary p 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your dog is not worth the money a vet would charge I
would suggest you find a home for him where the money
is not that tight. I fully understand "fixed income" He needs
to be looked at before it gets worse. The longer you wait
the more it can cost. Good luck.
2007-07-22 08:42:09 · answer #6 · answered by wayne g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, only your Vet Will be able to determine for sure.
Do you have enough money for your own food this week?
If yes, then you can afford a Vet.
Do not allow your dog to suffer or loose it's life do to your neglect. Sorry to have to be blunt, but,
People that cannot afford to take care of their pets properly, should not have pets.
2007-07-22 08:33:08 · answer #7 · answered by thepolishchef 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not anything to worry about but you will need to take your dog to the vet because if it starts to bother you dog it will scratch it and it will get bloody. Your vet can remove it from your dog.
2007-07-22 08:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by Gina 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it could be. it could be a tumor or something. u should take him 2 the vet, and pay off the bill little by little.
2007-07-22 08:32:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes take him to the vet this is something serious i love dogs and i wold love to give you a better answer but theres only one word for this promblem VET
2007-07-22 08:31:33 · answer #10 · answered by rory 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋