Phineas is at it again with a new skin problem. He had a histiocytoma cropped up on the front of his leg about 2 weeks ago. The vet diagnosed after taking cells with a needle. He said it's not uncommon in younger dogs and that many breeds, like danes, are more prone to them.
Phin's started out taller but not so wide. Now, after breaking open every couple days, it is more wide and less tall. It looks seriously gross because it is bright red. There is no drainage or anything, just yucky to look at. Of course after it breaks open, he takes to licking it and we have to watch him like a hawk all day long.
My vet said a couple months it should go away on it's own or we will consider removing it surgically. He saved the slides and said we will watch it and if it starts acting funky, we will send the slides away for a more affirmative diagnosis. Apparently diagnosis via cytology of the mass isn't 100%. When I got home and goggled it for my own info, many sites say a couple weeks! So is it weeks or is it months? If you have experience with a histiocytoma, did it break open often? Phineas does a lot of rough play and rolling around with our pit mix, so it doesn't surprise me that he keeps breaking it open. I forgot to ask the vet what "starts acting funny" means, LOL, so now I wonder if constantly breaking open is funny.
We also are doing nothing for it. We aren't cleaning it or applying anything on it. Our vet said to leave it alone. That is what we are doing. Good.. not good?
Would love to hear your experience. How long did it take to go away? Did it go away on it's own or did you have it surgically removed? Phineas has a pretty full schedule this month with various visits and walking in a parade next weekend. It seriously looks gross... it's about the size 1/2 way between a dime and a nickle but blood red looking. I plan on putting him in St Patricks day attire for the parade so he doesn't look like he has a big sore on his front leg.
Phin's started out taller but not so wide. Now, after breaking open every couple days, it is more wide and less tall. It looks seriously gross because it is bright red. There is no drainage or anything, just yucky to look at. Of course after it breaks open, he takes to licking it and we have to watch him like a hawk all day long.
My vet said a couple months it should go away on it's own or we will consider removing it surgically. He saved the slides and said we will watch it and if it starts acting funky, we will send the slides away for a more affirmative diagnosis. Apparently diagnosis via cytology of the mass isn't 100%. When I got home and goggled it for my own info, many sites say a couple weeks! So is it weeks or is it months? If you have experience with a histiocytoma, did it break open often? Phineas does a lot of rough play and rolling around with our pit mix, so it doesn't surprise me that he keeps breaking it open. I forgot to ask the vet what "starts acting funny" means, LOL, so now I wonder if constantly breaking open is funny.
We also are doing nothing for it. We aren't cleaning it or applying anything on it. Our vet said to leave it alone. That is what we are doing. Good.. not good?
Would love to hear your experience. How long did it take to go away? Did it go away on it's own or did you have it surgically removed? Phineas has a pretty full schedule this month with various visits and walking in a parade next weekend. It seriously looks gross... it's about the size 1/2 way between a dime and a nickle but blood red looking. I plan on putting him in St Patricks day attire for the parade so he doesn't look like he has a big sore on his front leg.
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