[Pixi7272]

OK so My Fawn Boxer Mix (Brannon) has these two black spots on his belly/chest area and has had them since I can remember. So its not like they just developed, but they were always flat like freckles or just skin pigmentation. However there is one that started to grow up off the surface of his skin and is very visible that it is hanging off of him. The other black dot is slightly raised and I have a feeling it is going to do the same thing that the first one has done. My problem is I don't know what they are if they are a danger or if he is just weird and I should not worry about it. They feel like skin they are not hard very soft and move-able. They spots are not red or irritated, nor do they seem to bother him. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight on what these might be, and a course of action if needed. Thanks

 

[abgmauldin]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

Not to alarm you but you really should take your dog to the vet. You should probably have a biopsy done.  I just went through one of my rescues being put down because she had aggressive cancer.  So I from what I have learned dark or black spots that are moveable are possibly cancer.  Although hers was way more advanced its not worth waiting and finding out when its too late

 

[OdinsDad]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

It sounds like you are describing a skin tag, also sometimes called fibropapillomas, skin polyps, fibrin tags or achrochordons. These are benign growths that are not cancerous. They can be confused with some forms of cancer, most notably keratoacanthomas (benign) and melanomas (often malignant). Most of the time, if these have a pendulous base, they are going to be a benign lesion. It may be best to have them examined by a pathologist after removal, just to rule out the melanomas being malignent. This might be an example of being overcautious, depending on the exact appearance of the sores, though.  Your vet can help you determine the importance of having a pathologist look at the lesion after removal.

I hope that this helps some.

 

[abgmauldin]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

Thats more helpful than mine.....Thanks. Most vets can tell by looking.

 

[Pixi7272]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

Thank you both for your responses thus far I do intend to make an appointment with my Vet. (Sometimes its hard to get an appointment) So I am just seeking additional information to best inform my vet as to what may be going on. And so I may know if I require an a more urgent appointment or not. Thank you both, and thank you in advance to any additional responses.

 

[OdinsDad]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

I personally think they are benign skin-tags and nothing to worry about... but I'm no vet, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

 

[sharonL]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

They appear to be skin tags to me also.....At least the first one for sure.....

If you can get a hold of regular iodine (the old kind in the little glass jar) and put it on the skin tag every day for about a week, they will dry up and fall off  

But, let your vet look at them

 

[Boxerpop]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think)

They look like skin tags to me. Our Sophie had her fair share of them and our vet said not to be bothered. She lived to the ripe old age of 12.

 

[Pixi7272]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update

OK so we could finally get into see the vet. He says he thinks that they are just Skin Tags.  However his rule is if it growns on a boxer he is removing it. He is also concerned becuase they are black so in a few weeks Brannon will go in for minor surgery to have them removed.  We are going to send one off to the lab to make sure that it is not Cancerous.  He was also concerned becuase of Brannons younger age, he says that it is more normal to see them on older dogs. So to make sure he is ok we will take them off and have them checked. Just wanted to update. and say thank you for the responses and concerns.

 

[Barbs2Ks]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update

Let us know the results.

 

[Boxer_Love]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update

Keep us updated!!

 

[samsonsmom]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update

It's always best when in doubt to have it checked and it sounds like your vet is right on top of things..hoping it's benign

 

[Pixi7272]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update #2

OK SO Brannon went into have his Surgery this AM.  I am a little ticked with the vets office for a few reasons. 1. they said they were only going to do local anesthesia but he is so out of it groggy and what not I think they put him completely under, which is fine just not what i expected. 2. He had 3 "skin tags" there were suppose to remove and they only took 2 off. and my 3. Issue is that they rushed my husband out the door with Brannon with no information except for a bill.

SO KNOW I have some questions. HE just ate which is good. But he wont drink his nose is almost grey in color. SO I fed wet food and added water to it to try and rehydrate but what else can I do? How long before the Sutures need to come out? or will they disintegrate into the body? IS there anything I can give him if he seems to be in pain from the surgery in the next few days?  and what is the typical time from for lab work to come back to know what these things were?

I do plan on calling the vet in the AM but if I can get some ideas before then it would put my mind at ease. Other then that he seems to be doing OK all and all. HE is just sleepy and Dehydrated and Snugly. Oh and His Breath is worse then ever any thoughts on that? Thank you all for you concern and thoughts.

 

[sharonL]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update #2

I would think there is only a few reasons why they removed 2 of them and not the 3rd.....either there was some reason the vet did not want to remove it, did not think it should be removed or forgot it/did not see it.......It is common for some dogs to be droggy (sometimes even more) from going under a local medicine....because they work as muscle relaxers....in some ways they do knock them out pretty good....and they are more slow from getting up because without being hooked to the anesthesia machine they also do not have the added benefit of having the oxygen........it is not a bad thing....they just can be sleepy from it........

Generally, you can offer food and water the night you get them home....they may or may not eat/drink....but they should on day 2.........The dry nose is not so much from being dehydrated as it is from being under a surgical lamp (which feels like 200 degrees on the top of my head) and it drys it out.....

Generally skin stitch's if you can see them.....they are usually purple or white/clear and should be removed in 10 to 14 days.........Most disolving stitch's are a brown/cream color and are generally placed under the skin....but........that does somewhat depend on the vet.....

How long it takes to get results depends on the lab they send it to.....Antech is one of the biggest Vet Labs and it generally takes about 3 to 7 days to get results from them back to your vet.......So usually within a week.....

And......his breath is bad because of his mouth and throat drying out......it should be better by day 2....unless he had stinky breath to start with

Hope that helps some until you talk to your vet

 

[Pixi7272]

Re: Skin Tags ( I think) Update #2

Sharon,

Thanks for your reply! it helped to put my mind at ease. After he ate last night his nose started to get wet and come back to black.  he is eating again this AM but not sure on water intake.  Thanks for the info on the surgery light I had never even thought about that being the reason for his dry nose.  And I am also suprised to read about the local anestisia working that way. But again thank you for your reply. I will update when we get his test results back.

 

[Pixi7272]

Ok so here is our final update on this health concern. The labs are back and it is Benign Melanoma.  Which is positive. My question is should I start putting Sun Screen on Brannon since he likes to lay in the sun to prevent him from getting Cancer do you think it will prevent anything from changing?  I am glad to have the labs back, now I just need to find out when his sutures come out.

 

[samsonsmom]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to put sunscreen on...I think the Water babies is what a lot of people use and seems to be pretty effective