Gibson and his gal Harley After a couple recent scares, I wanted to discuss lumps, bumps, and growths on a dog's skin. Recently, both Gibson and Wolf have required attention for growths.  Gibson  has had one on his right knee for almost two years. It started off as a simple skin tag. Normal color. Nothing alarming, other than I don't like bumps on my furbabies.   *There are some photos in this post that are a bit unpleasant.* Skin tag turned weird growth. But knowing dogs, like humans, can get these "tags" as they get older. I constantly monitored it and had my vet team monitor it, and we covered it when he received laser treatments. ( Laser treatments are amazing for healing wounds, arthritis, etc., but not for growths because while it works on a cellular level and is just amazing for healing, the flip side is it can stimulate growths, tumors, etc. to grow. It's always important to discuss and review your dog's case with your vet prior to sta...

Wolf went in today for his second post-surgical visit. He is healing well...and he had some of the stitches removed! Next week the rest will come out! I have now removed his E-collar (much to his happiness!) and his leg is now healing bandage-free! (He has a sock on it when going out to protect the stitches). He's now resting (and enjoying all the extra attention!) I have to say that I am very glad I made the decision to have the papillomas removed, only to find out that he had the incredibly strange lumps underneath. If you missed the post, you can check out my "Wolf is Home From Surgery" post for details and photos. My purpose for posting them is so if anyone sees these types of growths on their dog, have it checked out right by your vet right away! They never bothered Wolfgang, or caused him any pain, but over a six-month period they did multiply in size and quantity, which is why I had him rechecked by our vet. Under all that fur, the hidden lumps could not be detect...

Wolf is home! He is still groggy and is sleeping soundly next to me right now with his leg all bandaged up nicely. The growth was a very strange one. After he was shaved, it turned out there was another good size lump under the skin that was developing that we didn't even know about as it couldn't be seen or felt under all the fur. Good news is, our amazing vet, Dr. Rugg, was able to remove the cluster and the secondary lump and some surrounding skin in its entirety as opposed to cauterizing them and risking possible regrowth. The original fear was since it was on the elbow, there wasn't much give room, but my vet was able to stitch up the wound nicely and he will stay bandaged until this Saturday when I bring him back for a follow-up. Since he's been home, he's been dozing on and off, a little whimpering, and a little tipsy. He is drinking lots of water (with a few little upchucks), but doesn't have an appetite yet, but all in good time. Warning: Unpleasant...

"I'm ready to go to the hospital, Mom." Today my boy Wolf went in for surgery. I just came back a short while ago from dropping him off at our vet's. Watching him as he sauntered down the hallway toward the pre-surgery area, my heart swelled with pride for my baby boy. Wolf, although he along with his two siblings Chloe and Bandit, turned four in January, he is the baby of the bunch. So I know he was being strong and brave as he headed down the hallway. As he crossed through the door and out of sight, the tears flowed and I had to jet out of there and take a few moments to have a good cry in car. I know he is in excellent hands. I know he is safe. We have a wonderful veterinarian team and hospital. I always say that if I ever relocate, I'll have to figure out a way to move the hospital and all of the staff in it!  Still...I will worry, worry, worry all day about my boy, about how his surgery is going, if they can remove them all, what the biopsy results w...