Off to the Vet

fullofbull

Hannah's had this lump in her ear for a few weeks now.  I thought it was a bug bite at first, but its getting worse.  I've been applying Polysporin to it, but its not doing a thing.............so off to the vet this afternoon.  Its getting bigger and redder and more angry looking.  She doesn't bother with it, but doesn't like it to be touched either.  Its only on the inside of her ear, not coming out the back at all.  Hopefully thats a good sign.  I'm so afraid shes going to have to go under the knife to remove it!!!  Wish me (and Hannah) luck..............

BulliesofNC

Wishing her well! Let us know what the Vet says.

Quinnofhearts

Yikes that does look quite angry. How is Hannah?

fullofbull

Well the vet I go to up here thinks its a tumor and possibly cancerous.  Says if he removes it, he will cut into her ear cartilage,(and its not attached to that) which will leave a crease in her ear and it may not stand erect anymore!!!  Oh ya and to the tune of 1000 bucks!!!!!!!  Are you kidding me..........for that little lump.  It would take 10 -15 min for removal plus putting in the 2 stitches it would need.  Not......

So I'm doing the 5 hour drive back to where I came from and taking Hannah to the vet I used to work for.  Hes a much better surgeon and won't wreck her ear for that tiny lump.  And for about a third of that cost!!  If he thinks it looks suspicious, we will send it off for a biopsy.  Shes going at the beginning of the week.  Otherwise, Hannah is doing fine, it doesn't bother her at all........Thank goodness!!  Will keep you updated.  

BulliesofNC

I commend you for your decision on taking her elsewhere. There are just too many Vets that have no problem butchering a dog without any care in the appearance result of their surgery. It is very common to see a Bull Terrier with cartilage damage to an ear where it no longer stands up straight. Something as small as an ear infection can ruin a Bull Terrier's ears. A good Vet should be able to remove that "pimple" without doing damage to the integrity of the ear cartilage.

philsergeant

Marco has had about 3 similar tumours... Fortunately not on the ear and we have learned to nip them off before they get too big.... (hoping they disappear has worked for other dogs we've had, but the first one he had got to the size of a large marble before we where smart enough to get it axed).... each one cost about $400/ $500, although we didn't require to have full anesthetics... but with a couple of well placed  cuts and a couple of stitches, we can't tell where they were any more.  But, as always with vets, remember it's not a calling, it's a business... (any longer)... which includes all the hype of the potential dangers and drama, all to make you scratch that cheque book a little bit deeper!  Arseholes!

fullofbull

Hannah is booked in for surgery Tuesday morning and also  full blood work screen.  Wish us luck!!

BulliesofNC

Hope everything turns out perfect for Hannah. Keep us updated.

Soapskid

Please give us an update. Spud has developed one on his head that has been there for a few weeks and I'm worried as well.

philsergeant

@soapskid.. I'm no vet (disclaimer) ... But if it is like a hill, with sloped sides, then I am not accustomed to those... But if it has "vertical " sides, where you can actually "grab" it and ( lightly) squeeze it, then, if it has been there for a couple of weeks it is very unlikely to disappear and likely to grow, so I'd have it nipped as soon as possible.... And I also wouldn't bother spending the extra $100 for biopsy... Unless he keeps getting them.

fullofbull

Hmmm..........interesting philsergeant!  Why wouldn't you biopsy?  Is this a common thing for BT's  and if so are they normally benign?  I sure as frig hope so..........

Hannah's seems bigger just since posting all this and suddenly seems sore to touch.  Also redder.  I am very worried and scared my poor baby might have something more serious.  I will die if something happens to my beloved Hannah and shes just a year old on the 17th!!!  And we have Tea' arriving in just 4 more weeks.....oh  my gosh.........Hannah better be ok.

soapskid.....I would recommend getting him to the vet asap!  I hope I don't regret waiting on taking Hannah as soon as I noticed this!  Stupid me..........

philsergeant

Mmmm... Common would imply that most of them get them, and no, I just say that a lot of them get them and I haven't heard of many/ any of them not being benign.... So, typically vets love charging $100 for something that costs them $25... so they motivate you with "an abundance of caution".... But everyone needs exercise their own judgements in these cases... me I'm just a cowboy that trusts in The Lord.

fullofbull

Update on Hannah.........she had the lump removed yesterday.  Unfortunately there was some rooting into the cartilage, which my vet had to cut out.  But its not through the ear to the backside.  Small crinkle in ear and he put the sutures in loose so it should flatten back out when they are removed.  He thinks its benign but I had him send it off anyways for a biopsy.  Want to be sure.  And it had really changed over the weekend.  Her ear is standing!!  Shes not bothering with it all and seems right back to her old self today.  It was an exhausting 2 days but well worth it.  And he charged me $130 cash dealeo............sweet.  All her bloodwork came back normal as well.

On another note.........precious little Tea' was 1 mos old yesterday and is the biggest, most affectionate, most curious in the litter so far.  She weighed in at a whopping 5 lbs!!

\:D/

philsergeant

Great news!  on Hannah and Teaha's impending arrival... Bullies make life worth living!!!!

fullofbull

GOOD NEWS!!!!!!

Hannah's lump came back benign.........yeahhhhhh!!!

=D>

The pathologist's report said that these tumors........called histocytoma.........are very common in (all breeds) of dogs.  They usually appear in dogs under the age of 3.  They most commonly show up on the face, ears and legs.  If left, they will fall off on their own, but most owners have them removed because they are so aggressive and nasty looking.  Not likely to return...............woooohoooo!

BulliesofNC

That is great news!!!

Soapskid

@soapskid.. I'm no vet (disclaimer) ... But if it is like a hill, with sloped sides, then I am not accustomed to those... But if it has "vertical " sides, where you can actually "grab" it and ( lightly) squeeze it, then, if it has been there for a couple of weeks it is very unlikely to disappear and likely to grow, so I'd have it nipped as soon as possible.... And I also wouldn't bother spending the extra $100 for biopsy... Unless he keeps getting them.

Hey Phil - It's like you described where you can grab it. Buddy had his dogs removed but the vet overcharged him about $300 and declined the biopsy and his dog is well. It's the same exact pimple his dog had so for now just looking for the right Vet to chop it off.

philsergeant

It's tough to know whether vets are bigger rip offs than doctors... But there's one trade that's the biggest rip off of all... Septic tank emptiers.... I just had mine done again... $750 for 70 minutes work... Okay it's "shitty" work, and I'm sure it takes them 20 minutes to pump out "wherever " they pump out... But geeeez.. That's a rip off.

BulliesofNC

Not trying to drift off subject but you've got to be kidding - $750. Must be a Florida thing or they are going about the process a whole new way.  We get our septic tank pumped out every couple years and I have yet to spend more than $125. Just had it done about 4 months ago - $125. Four Bedroom home with appropriate septic tank to accommodate. Takes them about 30-40 minutes.

philsergeant

This is too shitty a subject for a Bullie site, but ask that guy if $200 is enough for gas to come to FL... They rip you off here like you can't believe.