A bit worried about my hound :(

maletto

maletto

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hello all (my first post in AAD!)

I've got a 10 year old english cocker spaniel with a growth in his ear. He's had it for probably a year or so but in the last few months, it's really grown very fast.

The vet had a look at it when he was in for some other procedure (can't remember what) a few months ago and said it was a benign growth.

Not wanting to undermine the vet, of course, but I'm very concerned about the rate of growth and the fact the dog is clearly finding it very uncomfortable - he kept pulling away from me when I held his ear to try to take a picture.

The growth is right in the middle of the inside side of the pinna and looks very red, sore and swollen. It also looks a bit like the skin on the surface is pulled very tight over the growth and possibly a bit flaky but I can't get very close to have a look.

Here's the best pic I could get:

IMG_0656.jpg


the growth extends about an extra 25% up (in the picture) covered by hair and is about the size of an acorn, possibly slightly bigger.

Should I be taking him back to the vet? does anyone have any experience with anything like this?

Sorry for mammoth essay (and HUGE pic, don't know how to resize! sorry!!)
 
That does look sore, poor lad:(

If it's uncomfortable then take him back. Even if it is benign it's clearly now not comfortable and something needs to be done. Apart from anything else, if he's constantly scratching at it he could easily irritate the skin and maybe even start an infection.

It could just be a fatty lump - our old lab got loads of them when he was a bit older, the vet always said he'd take them off if they caused any discomfort and eventually he did have the biggest one removed from his side. As I recall it was a fairly straightforward op.

Hope you get it sorted:)
 
Go back to the vet and if you're not happy - get a second opinion - I know I say this a lot but I changed vets and it is the best thing I have ever done for my dog.

My old bitch had a fatty lump on her back which looked and felt awful but it was totally benign and caused her no bother - as Spud says, it would worry me if it seems to be irritating him.

Try aloe vera gel in the mean time to ease itching and take the heat out of it.
 
thanks both. I will get him to the vet.

weirdly he doesn't actually itch it, it's only sore if I touch it. poor little man.

I'll let you know how it goes. thanks again
 
TBH I would go for a different vet. I would not be happy with the vet just looking and saying its benign in that area. Lipoma's are a bit different as they are generally all over the body and feel very lipoma 'ish'. That I would want biopsied.
 
older spaniels often get random growths on the ears, and usually they are small and pain free and just 'there'. thats probably what your vet thought it was.

I would definitely go back now its changing though. especially as its causing the dog discomfort. ear growths are often nobbly and hard and theres not much free skin in that region to expand with the growth so the sooner the better really.

good luck hope all goes well.
 
My dad took him to the vet while I was at work yesterday.

Vet said that it was benign but because it's so big and in the way, he's going to remove it.

Better now than in a couple of years time when the mutt will be two years older and less well able to cope with the GA.

Presumably they will send the lump off for a biopsy even if they think it's benign right?

Thanks all :)
 
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