My boxer Mitsy is 6 years old. About 4 weeks ago she developed a small lump on her head. It was ugly and looked loke a wart. I didn't worry too much as it isnt bothering her at all. But in the last couple of days it has gotten bigger and tonight I noticed it is bleeding a little. it looks very red around the edges but still looks like a wart on top. I'm taking her the vet tomorrow but am terrified they will tell me it's cancerous. Has anyone had this problem before?
Ugly lump on head
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Tuff Love
Boxer Insane
Boxers are prone to so many different kinds of lumps and bumps, cancerous and non, that it's impossible to say- even with a visual you really can't tell. Is it bleeding on it's own or is your pup scratching at it? Your vet will probably do a needle aspirate to check for cancerous cells and go from there. Best of luck to you that it's not an mast cell tumor, but even if it is it's certainly not a death sentence, so don't panic just yet. Low grade MCT's may never return if removed with clear margins. My boy had 8 or 9 lumps and bumps in his short 5 years and only 2 were MCTs (a grade 1 and a grade 2- neither returned after removal). Histiocytomas are common on the head and are usually pretty red in color. My girl has had a couple. She's also had a lump on her leg (pea sized) that she had for a good 4 months that spontaneously disappeared all on it's own.
Hi Danielle,
Many thanks for your advice.
I had her at the vet today. As you suggested He thinks it is a Histiocytoma so I have booked her in to have it removed next Monday. Better to be safe than sorry.
Hopefully everything will go okay.
Again your advice is very much appreciated.
Ann marie x
Many thanks for your advice.
I had her at the vet today. As you suggested He thinks it is a Histiocytoma so I have booked her in to have it removed next Monday. Better to be safe than sorry.
Hopefully everything will go okay.
Again your advice is very much appreciated.
Ann marie x
Tuff Love
Boxer Insane
That's great and I hope the vet is right! Did they do an aspirate? Many histio's go away on their own, but then again some don't... and if it is growing then perhaps removal is best. As you said, better safe than sorry. Good luck and fingers crossed that it is just a benign bump.
brodieboxer
Completely Boxer Crazy
Your vet is taking the best course of action - SO glad you're having it removed! Seemingly benign lumps (even when aspirated) can turn cancerous later. That happened to my boxer, Duke (RIP!), a few years ago. My vet (no LONGER my vet) aspirated it and told me not to worry about it...
If Dempsey develops any kind of lump whatsoever, it's coming off!
If Dempsey develops any kind of lump whatsoever, it's coming off!
Roge
Boxer Insane
Roge had a lump removed last june from beside his nose, the lump was not big enough to do an aspirate as being she would not gather enough cells so she removed the lump with good margins it just incase the results came back unfabourable , she thought that this was the best course of action as not having to put him through surgery again if the results were not good.It was all sent off to the UK as she informed me that the tests that she wanted carried out were not done here in Ireland.I had to wait ten days for the results and all came back clear Thank God,
I hope all goes well and that your results come back clear also.
Keep us posted.
I hope all goes well and that your results come back clear also.
Keep us posted.
Hi girls. Thanks for all the advice. It really helps knowing this is quite common. The vet didn't even mention an aspirate he just suggested removing it. He also said he's going to remove it and Depending on what it looks like he will decide if he needs to send it for analysis. He's almost certain it's benign. Apart from the lump she's perfectly healthy. Eating well and up to mischief as always. Although the vet is very optimistic I'm still quite anxious about him giving her an anesthetic :(. Can't wait til it's all over with and she's back to normal. Thanks again 
il keep you updated
il keep you updated
Gatorblu
Boxer Insane
I have been having computer problems and this one thread I could never get open. (I'm hijacking the hubby's computer now! ) I'm glad you are getting the lump removed, I have had both plain odl benign cysts and an mct taken off my older dog. Then mct has never returned. He was 8 when it was removed and that was 3 years ago. I will warn you the scar is going to be bigger than what you are going to expect. That is so they get clean margins. I almost fell over in tears when they first brought my boy out to me. His lump was big, almost the size of a quarter, and the incision was a good 8 inches. Also please request that they don't use acepromazine. At the top of this forum there is a thread NEED TO KNOW info before surgery. Please read it. I printed it and took it with me to the vet. Saying a prayer for Mitsy and you!
) I'm glad you are getting the lump removed, I have had both plain odl benign cysts and an mct taken off my older dog. Then mct has never returned. He was 8 when it was removed and that was 3 years ago. I will warn you the scar is going to be bigger than what you are going to expect. That is so they get clean margins. I almost fell over in tears when they first brought my boy out to me. His lump was big, almost the size of a quarter, and the incision was a good 8 inches. Also please request that they don't use acepromazine. At the top of this forum there is a thread NEED TO KNOW info before surgery. Please read it. I printed it and took it with me to the vet. Saying a prayer for Mitsy and you!Hi Pam. Mitsys lump is about the size of a quarter. Its directly on the top of her head. Thanks for telling me about the scar. Honestly I was expecting it to be the size of the lump. At least now i will be prepared. I will definitely print the info re the anesthetic and take it with me. Thanks a million for the advice. I'm very grateful to everyone who has replied to my post. I'm finding it very helpful.
Draymia
BW Adviser<br><img src="/forums/images/modpaw.gif"
I have had Boxers for close to 40 years.....yes that makes me feel old, but maybe I was still in diapers? 
Anyway I have seen my share of histiocytomas. When reading your original post, my very first thought was a histiocytoma.
When one of my dogs get one, I use Betadine or plain old iodine and give a good scrub twice a day. I don't rinse the Betadine off. They usually begin to dry up within 3-6 days and are gone in a few weeks. It does take longer for the hair to grow back, but I have never had one leave a scar.
Just my opinion, but I would hold off on the surgery. You will get a scar and no need to go through an anesthesia. Also, the cost. Here is a thread from a previous discussion right here on Boxerworld.
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/do...-help-need-histiocytoma-treatment-advice.html
Anyway I have seen my share of histiocytomas. When reading your original post, my very first thought was a histiocytoma.When one of my dogs get one, I use Betadine or plain old iodine and give a good scrub twice a day. I don't rinse the Betadine off. They usually begin to dry up within 3-6 days and are gone in a few weeks. It does take longer for the hair to grow back, but I have never had one leave a scar.
Just my opinion, but I would hold off on the surgery. You will get a scar and no need to go through an anesthesia. Also, the cost. Here is a thread from a previous discussion right here on Boxerworld.
http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/do...-help-need-histiocytoma-treatment-advice.html
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