Boil? Bubble? What the...? Pictures! - Paw Talk

Mr Poopie Face · #1 07-20-2007, 08:53 PM

What on earth is that thing on my dog? It looks like a huge boil, but I don't know. Is it serious? It is maybe 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter. It is not hard, more like a balloon that is low on air. I can squeeze it a little and she does not seem to notice at all. I'm afraid she might scratch it open and it could get infected. The good news is it doesn't seem to bother her at all. She's a black lab, maybe 7 or 8 years old.

Is this something I can take care of myself if someone prescribes a tranquilizer and suture kit for her? I don't have enough money to take her to the vet, and I don't want this to go untreated. I'm afraid this may cost in the hundreds at the vet's.

Please see the pictures. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Nikko · #2 07-21-2007, 03:24 AM

Sorry, I have no idea what that is and I don't want to sound rude, but you should really take her to the vet. I know it's costly, but if this was happening to your child and you couldn't afford to take them to the doctor, I'm sure you'd come up with the money somehow. Good luck with everything and I hope she gets better soon.

Formula86 · #3 07-21-2007, 05:06 AM

I second that notion. Is there anything you can pawn? You should really discuss payment plans with your vet, too. If not them, any other vet.

Jess · #4 07-21-2007, 01:09 PM

Your doggie has a cist(spell?). My dog gets tons of them (not that big tho) and it doesnt hurt them or anything, theyre just anoying. You can take your doggie to the vet to get it drained but it can cost alot of $. If you have a REALLY strong stomache, you can try to drain it yourself: Just put a warm washcloth over in and rub on it a little and it may or may not pop. Its kinda like a giant pimple. If it does pop, clean it and put antibiotics or something on it to keep infection out. If it doesnt pop take your doggie to a vet. I hope she does OK.

***Jade*** · #5 07-21-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess


	Your doggie has a cist(spell?). My dog gets tons of them (not that big tho) and it doesnt hurt them or anything, theyre just anoying. You can take your doggie to the vet to get it drained but it can cost alot of $. If you have a REALLY strong stomache, you can try to drain it yourself: Just put a warm washcloth over in and rub on it a little and it may or may not pop. Its kinda like a giant pimple. If it does pop, clean it and put antibiotics or something on it to keep infection out. If it doesnt pop take your doggie to a vet. I hope she does OK.

Please do not diagnose a pet's condition over the internet. If you have questions, see our policy on Medical Advice.

There is no way to tell for sure if it's a cyst or a tumor without taking the dog to the vet. Lancing it yourself can introduce infection and potentially be painful for the dog.

I would strongly suggest taking her to the vet. It may be nothing, but it could be a malignant tumor and catching it early could give her many more years of life.

Mr Poopie Face · #6 07-21-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikko


	if this was happening to your child and you couldn't afford to take them to the doctor, I'm sure you'd come up with the money somehow. Good luck with everything and I hope she gets better soon.

You are correct, but I can get another dog for free tomorrow. Kids, well that's a different story. I love her and all, but it's not nearly the same love I have for my child.

Mr Poopie Face · #7 07-21-2007, 03:59 PM

Jess:

Cyst, n. a closed bladderlike sac, formed in animal tissues, containing fluid or semi-fluid matter.

I think you are dead on in your opinion. It is not hard like I mentioned above. Feels like there is fluid in it or semi-fluid matter. A couple other people told me this also, and it makes sense to me. I think I will see what happens for a couple days, then shave the area, then giver her one of my Vicodine, then an hour later pop it under steril conditions, keep it clean and give her some of my other dogs left over antibiotic.

Please someone stop me! I can't help myself. Voices are telling me to do it, and I don't feel myself lately.

***Jade*** · #8 07-21-2007, 04:45 PM

Vicodin would be a bad idea. Tylenol can be problematic if dosed incorrectly and can also be tough on the liver. Being that she's an older dog, I wouldn't recommend giving it since we don't know if she has any liver issues.

As for giving the leftover antibiotic, just as with us, you should always give a full course of antibiotics or the bacteria can become resistant. Giving just a couple of days may help at first, but can hurt in the long run. I've seen pups that came into the office with very resistant infections that had to ultimately be cultured and treated with specific (and expensive) antibiotics from this practice.

No matter what you decide, I hope all works out for your pup. I would still suggest a vet.

mulder · #9 07-21-2007, 04:55 PM

im with the 'going to the vet' opinion. dogs live for 1-2 decades man, just take her in, tell the vet up front what your budget is and maybe just have them tell you how to pop this thing, rather than have them do it. *sigh* i dunno, but give her the credit she deserves, she's been your unknown bodyguard these past years. don't take that for granted. plus, if you approach it well, many vets are sympathetic to your budgetary needs, so just be kind and honest, they will help you, after all they only care about the animals' well being

Mr Poopie Face · #10 07-21-2007, 05:04 PM

Jade, Thank you very much for your help in all that we've been through. I've read the FAQs now, which I should have done before I posted anything. Note to self and newbies: READ FAQS 1ST!

I understand now about the antibiotic, and now that you mention that, I remember learning that somewhere else too, way back... I will not use it. OK, nothing with Tylenol, in it either (Acetaminophen). It doesn't hurt to give dogs Asperin in low doses, does it? I think I heard about poeple doing this for arthritis.

Mr Poopie Face · #11 07-21-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulder


	sigh i dunno, but give her the credit she deserves, she's been your unknown bodyguard these past years. don't take that for granted.

OK, OK, you guys are making me cry. I'll see what I can do about the vet, even though I knew that's what everyone would say, and was hoping to get some insight into DIY vet work.

A big thanks to everyone responding, past, present and future.

***Jade*** · #12 07-21-2007, 05:12 PM

You're welcome on the help. It's a common question. We had a little notice at the top for those who were moderated, but the recent software upgrades have put some things out of commission temporarily.

Aspirin is the 'safest' over the counter med, but you have to be careful with that too. It can cause GI upset, gastric ulcers, increase clotting times, etc. You might call a vet in your area, preferrably one that has seen your dog before, to get a dosage. I would be especially careful with aspirin in an older lab or golden without a vet visit and full physical exam, as they can be prone to splenic tumors that will often slowly bleed into the abdomen, completely unnoticed. Decreasing their blood's clotting ability could, theoretically, be deadly.

Be warned, they may not give a dosage to you over the phone. OTC meds are not labeled for dogs, so it's technically giving a prescription without a current doctor/patient relationship, which is illegal. Vets have been sued for this before, unfortunately.

Leo · #13 07-21-2007, 05:18 PM

Please take her to the vet

Mr Poopie Face · #14 07-21-2007, 05:48 PM

Jess: Any chance we could see a picture of your dog with tons of cysts, especially focusing on the cyst aspect?

This sounds very interesting to me. Like my dog's thing, never heard of it, never seen it.

Jess · #15 07-22-2007, 01:11 PM

Well he's not covered head to toe in cysts, he has 3 or 4 tiny cysts and he used to have a really big one but the vet removed it. Sorry I exagerated and I probably should have put "I think its a cyst". I was just trying to help, and I have drained some of my animals cysts, and I said what I would have done. Sorry if any one took it the wrong way.

Sorry again about saying my dog has tons of cysts, I was exagerating and dont think that we dont take care of him, cause we do.

Sorry... I shouldnt have posted in this tread....