I was outside playing with Cassius today, when I noticed a small growth on his lower jaw line or chin area. It's hard to describe, but it almost looks like a "skin tag" and is about the size of a pencil eraser. It is not smooth and has elongated nodules or tenticles, about 5 or 6 of them. It's also light brownish in color...it's pretty gross to be honest. Does anyone have any experience with something like this???
He is on antibiotics right now, because he got bit at the dog park about a week ago and then went swimming in the creek and got an infection in his neck. I caught it early and that seems to be heeling very well and is pretty much gone. I'm wondering if it's just another part of the infection or if it's something more or less serious.
I plan on taking him to the vet on Monday, but thought I would ask for any suggestions in the mean time....my online research has me somewhat worried.
Please let me know if you have any insight, it would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Is the growth actually on the chin, or is it along the lip edge? Growths are always common in our boxers. We must always play it safe, but also always remember that their are more types of benign growths than there are cancerous ones. What you describe could be so many things, and really even if I saw it, I might not have nay idea. It is always best to have a needle biopsy done on a suspect bump. Skin tags are very common, especially as our dogs age, and harmless. They need only be removed if they occur in a place that causes problems of irritation, etc. Good luck with the vet on Monday. Let us know.
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Susan
**Boxers... not just dogs, they're an adventure!
I'll be on my way to the Vet here in just about an hour or so to find out what this growth is. It's on the outside of his mouth on his lower jaw.
Since Cash is only 11 months old, I'm hoping it is only minor and nothing serious. I did research online all weekend and I think it might be a Viral Papilloma......I'll have to wait and see. After seeing pictures of it I'm almost certain that's what it is....like you said we can never be too certain or too cautious!!!
Thanks for the feedback and I'll let you all know what the Vet says about it.....
Just got back from the Vet and she is fairly positive that the growth is a Viral Papilloma, however she is going to remove it anyways and have a biopsy done on it just to be sure.
She said that if he wasn't a Boxer then she wouldn't be as aggressive with it, but given the nature of the breed she wants to make sure it's nothing more serious.
I guess for now that is good news, but I'll feel better once the biopsy results come back.
It's always better to err on the side of caution with any type of Boxer skin growth. Hoping that the biopsy will reveal no problem at all!
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Beverly Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC (Denee) Forever in my heart" Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee Red Rocks Boxers
The labs came back and the growth on Cassius' chin turned out to be a viral papilloma and was benign. There is a possiblitity he might get more....no signs so far....and at times these kinds of papillomas can turn malignant. BUT.....for now my baby is A-OK whewwww.....
Beverly Red Rocks Zam I Am (Zammi) CD, RE, CGC Dusty Road's Walk'in on Air (Pilot) RN, CGC U-CH/CH Naughty DeNevi at Red Rocks RN, CGC (Denee) Forever in my heart" Red Rocks RIMPAC Warrior (Tanner) CD, RE, CGC Tanner, Zammi, Pilot & Denee Red Rocks Boxers