HELP! My Baby Boy Grew An Udder...

WaldoandJai

Hoping other BT lover-owners know something about this...

The short story. My adopted make neutered bull terrier who may or may not be 12 but no less...has a growth in his stomach that is protruding on either side of his penis.
5y ago he had a grape sized growth on his member that I had removed. It was benign.

But now his tummy... It hangs down like an udder and has slowly grown over the last few years from a soft full stomach after a big meal.... to a more stiff and permanent bulge that hangs down.

He has many lipomas (old dog bumps/Benign tumor growths). This is something I would take to a vet but I come from a family of physicians and have vet as family friends...it would cost hundreds to look at. Thousands to biopsy, and maybe tens if not multiple thousands to remove from:

A. My best friend.
B. The animate being I’ve had the longest relationship with (at 31) outside of my direct family (10-11yr with Waldo by my side), and
C. An older pup to which invasive surgery might do more harm than help....

If anyone has had a BT with this and it was not a real heath issue please let me know.

HE HAS NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. He is a happy goofy dog and the best and snuggliest teddy bear.
So please do not react to this like I don’t care about my pups.

I have two Bull Terriers. Waldo and Daisy. Both were adopted; Waldo from puppy jail and Daisy was re-homed with me. They are my life, family, and best friends.
Just search the hashtag #MrWaldoPants #BabyDaisyDog or #WalDaisy before your inner troll comes out. Lol.

Sorry for being defensive of my pups but I know how forums tend to skew...er the people that post and those that comment. None of that please

JaiWalDaisy

WaldoandJai

A few more photos.

BulliesofNC

I'm not sure where you're getting your prices from but having this issue evaluated by a licensed Vet would not cost much at all. It's impossible for anyone to give you accurate advice without truly knowing the issue.
My suggestion would be to have him seen by your Vet and ask for an opinion. Surely you're taking your dog to your Vet annually for his boaster shot and Rabies. Maybe that would be a good time to ask.
If it were my dog I'd want to run some tests and find out exactly what it was so proper procedures could be initiated to correct the issue.

WaldoandJai

Steve. You're right. He is due for his shots (da2ppc and bordetella soon).

I guess I am just looking to forums to “crowdsource” some knowledge about what’s going on with Waldo. I am not against taking him in. I have to, to get his nails trimmed cause he will moan like a dying whale and it is impossible to trim his nails without 5 people while he is conscious. He is one strong 70lb (not so lil BT).

Seems like forums and you’re esp. would be a good place to find others who may have had issues like this with their Own BT’s. I trust BT of NC because I have a GF of NC. Smithfield.

Truthfully, I have arranged ultrasounds and other procedures but have always been shooed away because vets say not to worry cause he is “old,” but he is my best bud. I can’t accept that sort of diagnosis when I am positive that this is not the first time such a thing/condition/growth etc has happened.

So if you know anyone with a BT that has a protruding belly, slow growing (years not days) I would love to connect with them.

BulliesofNC

The unfortunate things about all dogs is that when they get old they are prone to all kinds of ailments, just like people are. At 12 years old he could have a number of issues by now.

Lipomas in dogs are not uncommon and it's most likely what your Bullie has but I'm no Vet. I'd be willing to bet your Vet may not be able to know either unless he runs some tests and takes a biopsy.

Here's a link that may provide some useful information - https://www.diamondpet.com/blog/health/sensitive-skin/the-12-lumps-and-bumps-of-canine-skin/

WaldoandJai

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had the vet look at his "Udders" when he needed a hematoma (huge blood blister [grape sized]) removed from his right ear.

The vet said he has TWO large lipomas on either side of his man parts in his tummy. That is what made it look like udders. and that they are benign. I was initially looking for others who had this issue and didn't find any, but IN CASE SOMEONE DOES HAVE THIS ISSUES AS WELL WITH THEIR DOG

HE SAID THEY ARE OK for an old dog (13?stray/rescue) AND ONLY TO make sure he is able to pee normally, with a good stream, because they could press on his urethra from both sides and make it difficult for him.

Thank you all for your support and advice.
It wasn't cheap given the times of covid, but at least while he had his ear surgery they trimmed his nails and I was able to check out the udders (lipomas) in his belly.

So waldo is doing great, his ear is now permanently a little floppy because of how they had to stitch the inside of his ear to the back. I drained it three or so times and "popped the grape" but despite how sterile I was, it kept coming back. Hence the $500 surgery.

Thanks again for all your help!

WaldoandJai

Here is how his ear(s) turned out (I don't think he'll notice, but even at 13+ he looks like a lil puppy dog! and that is his bff daisy giving him a smooch after surgery...also a rescue.)