[jazzyems]

Recently noticed my dog has a lump under the skin softer not hard, on her nose midway between her nose and eyes. when I touch it she sneezes. and I notice she drooling I’ve never seen this sort of thing before. Soonest vet appointment I could get is on September 14 but was wondering if anyone might have an idea what it could be. She seems to suffer from allergies, sometimes sneezes as she sniffs grass sometimes I give her Benadryl for sneezing runny nose and eyes. TIA FOR ANY HELP.

[Anonymous]

The lump might be benign or not……either way and especially due to the location it will probably have to be removed.

Another option, if it’s bothering her and it sounds like it is from what you describe, is to go to the walk in emergency vet, it may cost a few bucks but they will examine, diagnosis and refer you to a specialist if they can’t treat it there.

I wouldn’t wait too long or ignore it. Maybe the vet can fit you in sooner? Most vets leave time slots open once or twice a day for emergencies. Otherwise, maybe he could refer you directly to a specialist. You have 2 issues here, an abnormal growth and allergies.

[Anonymous]

I don’t want to scare you, but:
http://smallanimal.vethospital.ufl.edu/clinical-services/oncology/types-of-cancer-and-treatment/nasal-tumors-dogs/ excerpt below, click on link for full article

“Transient improvement in clinical signs is often noted with symptomatic treatments such as antibiotics, antihistamines and steroids, which often delays diagnosis”.

[Anonymous]

On second thought, what makes you think she has allergies? Are you sure, her symptoms could be all related to the abnormal growth that might be irritating her nasal cavity….

[Dori]

Please call your vet in the a.m. and explain to them the situation to see if they can squeeze you in any earlier. It’s always best to get any lump or bump diagnosed. If they can’t, I personally would make an appt. with another vet. Could be nothing, but it could be something that needs immediate treatment. For the couple of days or so before the appointment I would suggest you not give your dogs antihistamines as they may mask the situation.

[DogFoodie]

I agree with Dori. That’s crazy that your vet can’t get you in until September 14th! Call first thing in the morning and tell them she needs to be seen ASAP. Sometimes when we call doctors / vets, etc., about things we think maybe aren’t serious, the person we speak to doesn’t think it’s serious either. I know I’ve done that in the past with my daughter and the condition was very serious. If they still can’t get you in, find a different vet or look for an emergency vet clinic affiliated with a College of Veterinary Medicine.

[Anonymous]

This is why when I have anything serious going on, I ask for the vet to call me back when he has a minute……unless the vet tech can schedule me for an appointment to see the vet that day.

Maybe the OP did not present the situation as urgent and focused on “allergies” so the vet tech thought it could wait.

If I feel I am not able to communicate my needs effectively, I just put the phone down and go to the emergency vet.

PS: I don’t think vet techs get the proper training in how to deal with clients that are in distress. Not all of them know how to identify a situation that needs immediate attention, they work hard and are very busy, but….

[theBCnut]

All my training in how to deal with clients was on the job, so you are right, vet techs don’t get proper training in that area. They should know what symptoms to be aware of in a life and death situation, which this isn’t. And they should be able to tell the owner what to watch for to determine if the dog should be seen sooner, which may very well be the case here.

If the lump grows or changes in any way besides disappearing, I would want my dog seen sooner, even if I had to go to another vet.

[Anonymous]

The OP first posted about the lump 2 and 1/2 weeks ago….and now indicates it is worse and the dog is drooling. So, in my opinion the dog should be examined right away.
But then, my experience in healthcare is with humans not animals…..
Anything that causes discomfort and potentially obstructs the nasal cavity could be serious.

I hope all is well and we get an update….

[Pitlove]

I second and third and forth everything that was said here. I would certainly see another vet or a ER clinic. I do not think this is allergies at all.

[InkedMarie]

I agree with everyone else…..get a new vet for one & you can also try the ER vet. Good luck and let us know.

[jazzyems]

Will be call vet tomorrow morning to get her in sooner. I have to admit, I’m scared. Thanks for all the input.

[Anonymous]

Be prepared, they are going to need to do some testing, at least x-rays and labwork (this is an assumption based on the symptoms you have described).
Maybe it’s benign, but if it’s something serious…..it’s best to catch these things in the early stages so that you’ll have treatment options.
Good luck

[jazzyems]

I spoke to friends who have pets and asked about their vets and decided to take her to one that a friend I’ve known for over 20 years takes her cat to and highly recommends because of exceptional care. I will be seeing him on Tuesday, and I anxious to say the least but I know it’s important for her health and well being, how I love her. Please keep my Lola in your prayers. Thank you all so much for your support. Will keep you all posted.

[Anonymous]

Tuesday? Don’t they have a 24/7 veterinary clinic near you? The sooner you get this diagnosed the better….didn’t you say the dog was drooling?
All vets diagnose the same way, x-rays, blood tests, lab work and examination. One of the good things about going to the emergency place is that you are in and out of there in an hour with a diagnosis and treatment plan in place.
Hope all is well.

[C4D]

I am chiming in on this too. Everyone is right! Get a different vet! My vets have slots daily for any serious issues and even with a regular appointment, I can get in within a couple of days. This dog needs to be seen ASAP! It might not be anything, but if symptoms are worsening you need to know! Good luck!

[Dori]

ASAP passed a long time ago. The OP post was Aug. 23, we encouraged immediate vet visit and still the dog is not being seen until Tuesday, Sept 1st. I suppose everyone has their own priorities. Any of mine would have been seen on Aug. 23, the day of the original post. They would have been seen by my vet without hesitation. Lumps, bumps, drooling? Yep, they would have said bring her right in. If they said anything different than that they would not be my dog’s vet. I would have found another vet or an emergency clinic to see my dog that day. As I said, priorities differ with people.

[Anonymous]

Actually the first post about the lump was on 8/6.
Unfortunately, we missed it.
/forums/topic/lump-on-my-dogs-nose/

Funny, I avoid going to the drs for myself, but not when it comes to my pets.

[Dori]

Wow, I guess I missed the 8/6 one. I just don’t understand this type of guardianship, I doubt many here would either.

[Anonymous]

There are a bunch of reasons people why don’t go to the vet right away (or at all). Just to name a few:

1) Fear and mistrust of medical people, especially veterinarians.
2) Financial concerns
3) Denial that the condition could be serious, supported by well meaning friends “Oh, it’s probably nothing”. “It will go away”.
4) Trust issues, pet owner may think all vets and veterinary clinics are out to “rip them off”.
5) Decide to try home remedies, supplements, and over the counter gobbledygook.
6) Look into homeopathic care (see #5)
7) Decide the dog food is to blame, try new diet.

PS: Recent SkeptVet blog http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2015/08/veterinary-medicine-is-a-business-and-that-includes-alternative-medicine/

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself 🙂

[DogFoodie]

Just had to throw in the “gobbledygook” comment. Not all natural remedies are “gobbledygook,” Red. I don’t understand why you feel it’s your responsibility to constantly badmouth natural remedies and homeopathics.

[Anonymous]

A concern is, that many folks pursue these alternative therapies instead of getting veterinary care. Some people won’t bother getting the animal properly diagnosed.
And some of these natural remedies have interactions with real medicine….

There are all these products advertised all over the internet that claim to cure just about anything, unfortunately some people believe it.

PS: I use supplements on myself and pets in moderation and in conjunction with medical care. Less and less lately, as I can’t afford them and am skeptical as to how much it really helps.
“To each his own”

[Anonymous]

I suppose, I could have used a different word than gobbledygook. Peace

[Dori]

Red, I’m sorry but I can’t agree or accept any of the reasons on your list. There is absolutely no excuse, in my mind, for not getting medical treatment if you have chosen to be a guardian to a companion animal or multiples. It is akin to saying that you will not get medical help for your human children and use any of those excuses. It is one thing to say that you may not be able to feed expensive, or whatever, foods. So that is why you are feeding a, b or c. I happen to believe there are a lot of quality foods that are not all that expensive far better than some of the garbage people feed. I’m a raw feeder so I’ll go no further on that topic.

I know you don’t actually think that homeopathic, holistic, natural, etc. is gobbledygook and just going to take it as you being cute. That’s okay. I use allopathic medicine and doctors as well as integrative and homeopathic medicines with my three dogs. Some work better than others and also, of course, depends on the extremeness of the situation. I also use tissue salts, essential oils, remedies, etc. All in moderation and with a watch full eye. None at the expensive of good old fashioned medicine which I also at times will take with a grain of salt. BUT…..I do get my dogs checked out once every single year, Hannah will be 16 on 9/9 and she goes twice a year. If I find lumps, bumps, drooling or what have you, I’m at the vet like a shot.

As for finances. Credit Card. A lot of doctors will give you a payment plan. Though I may be glib at times about allopathic vets I do believe there are a number of really good caring veterinarians that will help you make a payment plan and their concern is the animal and do no harm. If one is going to the other type of vets, then they should have moved along a long time ago. Okay, I’ll get off my band wagon now.

[aquariangt]

Well, if skeptvet says it, it must be true. Obviously, it’s all gobbledygook.

[Dori]

HAHA!

[C4D]

I am a firm believer in “gobbledygook” and “fairy dust” as it has totally worked for me, but I also use a vet for diagnosis. I am also one that is not a believer in skeptvet. HaHa! 🙂

[InkedMarie]

I read of far too many people who don’t get vet care for their dogs because they can’t afford it. I’m a hard butt about this; WE choose to have dogs & care needs to be given. I personally don’t care if you don’t have money. Get the pet=vet care. Get card credit, get a credit card, beg or borrow the money, etc. I have read where people get po’d that vets won’t take payments….if they did that for everyone, they’d never get paid. Twenty fivem years ago, our first dog got sick & died in less than a week; we didnt have the money or credit card. Because we had always paid prior vet bills, we paid off the balance a little at a time but I assume because we were already clients of good standing.

I’m not saying that people who don’t have much money shouldn’t have pets but if you don’t have something for both routine & emergent care, get a gerbil.

[Author]

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