Please keep your paws crossed for me .... & update

February 7 /09

I wasn't going to mention this, but I'm starting to get concerned and I'm turning to all of you to help me get through this. I'm pretty worried. So is my family, and we really need your support right now.

I have two sores - one on my face and one on my chest. I've had them for a few weeks now and they're not getting any better. (They're not getting worse either which is good, I hope.)






Mama and Papa thought the one on my face might be from frostbite because I've always got my face buried in the snow. And the one on my chest looks like it could be an irritation because it's just about where my collar or tags press into my chest when I'm pulling at the leash, which is often.

My vet saw them and mentioned something about Boxers being prone to skin cancer and she wants to biopsy them. That really scared us. She put me on antibiotics first to see if the one on my face was an infection but it didn't go away. She had Mama disinfect them daily but it didn't help.

My other vet wasn't as alarmed. She measured them and said to keep an eye on them and wants to take another look down the road. She had Mama rub Bag Balm on them to keep them clean and hydrated. Nothing changed.

Today my breeder looked at the sores and he also thinks the one on my face is probably frostbite. And he says to leave them both alone - his dogs have similar skin thingies and it's normal to have them. That helped but it just wasn't enough to calm my fears.

I'm scheduled to go back to my first vet on Tuesday. Since the sores haven't gotten any better, she'll probably want to go ahead and remove them for testing. She wants to sedate me to remove the one on my face because it will be too uncomfortable for me to be awake during the procedure.

Have any of you ever had sores that looked like this? If you've ever seen anything like this, we'd sure like to hear what it was.

As you can tell, we're pretty nervous around here. When it comes to stuff like this, we do not have cool, calm heads - it's worry, worry, worry. So please, cross your paws for me and hope for the best. Thanks.



n n n





P.S. Lacy and Petey sent me over to Joey and Tanner's to take a look at Tanner's dot. It looks pretty much like the one on my chest. And it went away all by itself. I'm feeling a little relieved. I just hope I'm as lucky as him. Thanks Lacy, Petey and Tanner!













Here are his before and after shots. Bleh, that was nasty, Tanner.



February 8 /09

Since I posted this last night, my inbox has just lit up with comments and emails from so many DWBers with messages of support and advice. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to know that there is so much kindness out there. You can't imagine how much it means to me.


Just so you know, during all this time that Chef has had these sores, he is his old self - playful, happy and hungry. He doesn't seem at all sick or uncomfortable. Actually, it is Morrie, Daniel and I who are doing the suffering! So your kind words are so appreciated.


It's been a pretty difficult having different opinions from the vets and not knowing which way to turn. Is one vet, who notoriously over-tests, over-medicates, over-charges, etc., looking to make money by putting Chef through unnecessary tests? Is another vet not being vigilant enough? We don't know. Finally, I decided to not wait and see if the sores disappear or not. As far as I'm concerned, you can't be too careful with something as potentially dangerous as this and I will opt for the biopsies, no matter the cost.


Hopefully, everything will turn out well and these past weeks that have been filled with worry will fade into the past and be forgotten. In the meantime, thank you so very much for being so caring and supportive.


Linda


February 10/ 09

We're back from our vet appointment, which turned out to just be a consult. Chef is scheduled for his surgery Monday morning and I'll be picking him up in the late afternoon. It will take four to five days for the lab results to come back.

I opted for a biopsy instead of the Fine Needle Aspirate. Sometimes the FNA isn't reliable because it only collects cells from an area as small as the point of the needle. It can miss surrounding cells and not always provide an accurate sample.

I'm very happy that Dr. Marlene will be doing the surgery. She owns the clinic and has the most experience. We've known her for years and years and has treated all our pets. For competency, I think she's the best there is in this city and I have complete faith in her. She's also always been kind and caring when we've gone through a crisis with our animals. She's even provided us with her home phone number in case we needed to speak to her during her time off. So I know Chef will be in the best hands.

It's a good thing I'll be kept busy. Valentine's Day, and the days leading up to it, are very hectic for florists. I'll be putting in a lot of hours at work so the time should fly by fast. In the meantime, Chef is being his silly self, acting like a clown and totally full of love and fun. I'm hoping for the best for my sweet boy and I know all of you are too. Thanks again for all your concern.


Linda

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're crossing Chef, we're crossing!!!! Get well soon, buddy!!!

Sending love, support, prayers and healing vibes

Josh and Jessie

Lacy said...

w00f's Chef, of course me will have u in me thoughts and prayers..Tanner just had a booboo on his face too, but it going away now, hopefully so will urs...remember "the power of the paw"....

b safe and git well,
~rocky~

Unknown said...

Hi Chef!

Have you visited Joe Stains blog? His little brother Tanner had a similar bump by his nose and he has some information on how they treated it. (I think it pretty much just started to disappear on its own.)

No worries - I just know you'll be fine!

Your pal,

Petey

Raising Addie said...

Hello Chef!!

The older that Zoe got, the more bumps that she got. She had some that looked like this. My vet was not concerned about this type on Zoe but we always watched them for any changes. Now, Zoe had others that because of the type, placement, texture and rapid growth we had removed. But none were ever Cancer.

I bet once they are removed Chef will be fine. We are sending you all of our best thoughts and positive vibes.

Lots of Luv & Kisses
Addie, Lucie, and Staci

Asta said...

Chef Sweetie
I'm so sowwy . don't be scawed I'm suwe it will be all wight..I am sending tons of emegency smoochie healing kisses fow you..I love you ..sneep tight and have sweet dweams.. all will be well
I love you
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

Oh Chef, I crossed my paws right away and praying that those sores on your handsome face and athlete chest are just some unharmed skin irritation. The earlier treatment, the better. Oh my mom's face turned gray when she saw your new post, she told all 3 of us to cross paws for a good nice test result and all your sores will be going away soon.
I go to bed tonight with your blanket and keep praying for your quick best healing, k?
Please keep us informed, love you lots, Chef.
We did enjoy the previous video clip, how adorable! Muahhhh!

Lorenza said...

Hi, Chef!
I will have my paws crossed and my mom will be praying for you!
I am sure your Vet will tell you that it is nothing serious!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

The Musketeers said...

Paw Cross that Chef will get well soon !

Lacy said...

w00f's Chef, me thought that second piksur looked a lot like the one tanner had...me hopes urs will just go away too..

b safe,
~rocky~

Mason Dixie said...

paws crossed. hope you get better and it all nothing. =)

Joe Stains said...

Chef, how old are you buddy?? Our vet said Tanner had an Ulcerated Histiocytoma. He had another one on his leg, that looks like the one you have on your chest. It started off looking like that, then it got kinda more red, then it got crusty, then we had it removed. The only reason we had it removed was because the Doofus, er my brother Tanner would not leave it alone and the VET wanted to do a lab test. SO Tanner had that one removed and it was an Ulcerated Histiocytoma, which is just a big lump of cells. The reason I ask how old you are is because they are more common in dogs less than 6-7 years old and really common in 2-3 years old.

Tanner's second dot, which is just healing on his face started about 2 months ago, so its taken a while for it to go away. I don't know how long you have had yours but our vet told us Tanner's would get really red, kinda bloody a little crusty, then it would start to go away. And just like that, it did!

I sure hope that is all you've got my friend. Depending on your age, I would lean toward this being a dot just like my brother Tanners.

Oh and, nice to meet you!! :)

Jans Funny Farm said...

Chef, We don't know anything about this subject, but we wanted to let you know we've all got our paws crossed that they won't be a problem for you. We want you to be healthy!

Southbaygirl said...

Chef, Mom and I and the kitties are keeping our paws crossed for you!!! Sending you BIG HUGS and woofs!

velcro, Mom Penny and the kitties Kodak, 3 perf and Blossom

Sophie Brador said...

Chef, I sure hope your sores are not something bad. It's hard to tell from the pics, but mom thought they maybe looked like my cauliflower mole, which was a big lumpy sort of growth on my neck, but nothing to be worried about. But my mom sure ain't no vet and she couldn't really tell from the pictures what your sores really looked like. I sure hope they aren't anything serious and I'm sending my beig giant Sophie vibes your way. I also really hope we can get together soon.

xo
SB

Anonymous said...

Hope the sores are benign. Get well soon!

Anonymous said...

Hope the sores are benign. Get well soon!

Faya said...

Our paws are crossed here in Switzerland !
Kisses, Faya

Molly the Airedale said...

I had an auto-immune mole removed not long ago and mom had no clue what it originally looked like because it was underneath all my fur near my eye and she shaved it off while grooming me! It wouldn't heal up after that and I eventually had to go and have it removed!
We're sending you lots of AireZen that it will go away on it's own like Tanner's dot is!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Pei In The Life said...

I've had something similar to your smaller one. It was on my leg and it eventually went away. We'll be thinking of you Chef!
Bolo
http://peiinthelife.blogspot.com/

Princess Patches said...

Chef, don't worry...we're cranking up the Aire-zen and healing terrier vibes for you! We wish you the very best and hope your Tuesday v-e-t visit gives you the very best results!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy, Penny & Patches

Abby said...

Hi, Chef...

I've got my paws crossed & I'm sending lots of Good Lhasa Vibes to you...

My Mom says her thoughts & prayers are with you, too...

Abby xxxooo

Clover said...

Hi Chef,
Sorry to hear about these spots on you. I hope that they are nothing serious. I am sorry I don't have any tips for you though.
We are thinking good healing thoughts for you!
I love you buddy!
Love Clover xo

Amber-Mae said...

Oh Chef, we hope it's nothing serious like cancer. I hope the doctor is wrong. Please get well soon! We're thinking about ya.

Boogie Woogie,
Solid Gold Dancer

Ruby and Penny said...

Hi Chef
I will be keeping my paws crossed for you. I will be praying that your sores are just that and will heal up on there own.
Get well soon Chef.
Love Ruby

Niamh said...

Chef,

I sure hope your vet thinks those dots are nothing to worry about. I had a sebaceous cyst but it went away on its own. Hope yours does too. Good luck.

Your friend,
Niamh

BenTheRotti said...

Hi Chef..

aw buddy so sad to come back and find you worried and unwell. Everything is crossed here (beans, Mum and Dad are crossing everything too) I'm sure it's what Joey said and something that will hopefully heal soon. Missed ya buddy, now get well soon.. I need my drinking and mischief buddy for this years partys!!!

love ya buddy!

Ben xxx

PeeS.. Please give your Mom a huge droooly smoooch from me as I'm sure she is really worried.. rotti hugs are on their way too.

Bogart H. Devil said...

All four paws crossed for ya Chef!! Here's to hoping that it's nothing and goes away soon!

Love,
Bogart

the many Bs said...

hey Chef, we're crossing all 16 paws and revving up the power of the Bs for you, buddy. we've had a few skin problems ourselves - various sores and irritations and lots of itchies. the sores have been mostly caused by allergies darnit, and hot spot type thingies. our vets never gave us any difinitive diagnosis, but with antibiotics and time, they have healed. i, Bailey, have a couple of sores on my ear flaps right now that mom is treating. she cleans them with hydrogen peroxide, clips the hair (cuz we have lots and lots of hair everywhere!) and then puts on animax ointment. we get the animax from our vet. it's like neosporin for dogs and it works really well.

we don't know if your sores are anything like ours, but we're sending you poodle & schnoodle power, B power and healing vibes to get all better very very fast with no further complications! be strong and keep your chin up. we'll be thinking about you.

give your mom some fluffy poodle hugs from us too, okay?

woofs

Moco said...

Oh, Chef:
We have great faith that you are going to be fine and go one to win many valuable prizes at all your shows.

Lola Smiles said...

Chef Sweetie, tell your mom not to worry! I had Tanner's dot on my head too when I was younger..and Mom had all those crazy thoughts about the ugly 'c' word.

The dot went away on its own. Anyway, we'll be sending pawsitive vibes your way that all will turn out well and it will, you'll see!

luv ya
Lola Smiles
xox

Paco,Milo, Maya and mommy Simona said...

Hi dear Chef!!!
We have found you on DWB news!!!
we crossed our paws right away and praying that those sores on your handsome face and athlete chest are just some unharmed skin irritation!!!!!!
we're sure all will be ok!!!
Please....get well soon!!!
We will have our paws crossed and my mom will be praying for you!!!!
Lots of love and kisses

Toffee said...

My mom (who is a vet) said that what Tanner had was most likely a "histiocytoma" very common in younger dogs especially certain breeds. Histiocytomas will and can disappear in a couple of months. But there are other masses that you need to be concerned about and it is better to remove a mass when it is smaller rather than when it is larger. Maybe you want to consider having your vet do a "fine needle aspirate" first (does not require sedation). Not all masses "exfoliate" well enough to give a good cytology (slide) to assess but it is worth a try. The masses look small and look like they would be very easy to take off under sedation. Boxer dogs are a breed that you need to be very vigilant about masses with. My mom worked in veterinary oncology for two years.

Eric said...

Chef my poor pal. I'm verrry worried for you and so sad that you and your Mom have been all hot and bothered and worried. I'm praying it's nothing and I'm barking for you and you know how loudly I can bark right? Get the vet to sort this out right away Chef or I''ll be over to give him a bit of terrier tenacity.
I'm sending wiry transmissions of healing and Mom is sending belly scratchies for you and some big hugs of support to your Mom.

Love and kissies Eric xxx

Mack said...

We are sending loads of Macky healing sugars your way.

Peace,
Mack

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

Hi Chef, I come back to check on you, I'm glad that your mom feel a little relief and you're still being yourself: playful, happy and hungry, that sound like me too.
DWB is a wonderful family, isn't it?
I has saved my green papers in my piggybank for my Dubai trip to see my dream girl, Crystal. Please let me know if the Vet bill is way too high, k? I'll be there for you, Chef! Muahhh!

Emma and Emmy said...

My family said they totally support on you doing FNA just to ensure instead of worry. Keep us posted.

You are in our prayer.

Dexter said...

Chef,
Did those boo-boos make your voice all funny? You sound kind of weird on your bloggy.

I will be sending my best Mango thoughts your way.

Slobbers,
Mango

Nibbles Treats said...

Chef and family -
So sorry that you have boo boo's. They are never fun. You asked if anyone else ever had sore like this. Well, yes. I once owned an english bulldog named JR. Being a bulldog, they too are prone to hot spots. JR got a sore on his chest after a vacation to Kentucky. We took him to the vet and he was placed on antibiotics. The sore got bigger and he got others. After months of antibiotics (the rollercoaster ride of the sores getting better... oops, they are getting worse... okay, they are getting better... nope, back to getting worse) he was sent back to the skin specialist. What was originally diagnosed at hot spots turned out to be cancer after all. Unfortunately, at this point he was full of tumors - on the inside. We were not able to feel them but able to see them on the x-ray. Our three year old tank of love needed to be put down and sent to the rainbow bridge well before his prime. Please be proactive regarding these sores. There are so many chemicals and unwanted's in our dogs food, treats, household cleaners, etc. that effect their skin.

We send our love and best wishes.
Sandy and my dogs Tinkerbell, Oscar and Tucker

Anonymous said...

Sweet Chef, I hope they are just frostbite. Bella had two tiny bumps removed a few months ago. One from her ear and one from her side, on her ribcage. One turned out to be cancerous. You can't be too careful. Putting Bella under surgery again hurt me emotionally - she has been through enough with her ACL problems, now this. She is barely 3 years old now. But even if the bumps were nothing, it was worth it. Turns out, we were right to go with removing them. I hope everything works out, Chef and family. We will be praying and crossing our paws for you.

Anonymous said...

Chef, thank your mom for the comment on my blog. :) I realize that I forgot to mention that Bella is fine now. The tissue all around the tiny bumps were negative. That means the mast cells were contained and the cancer was not spreading. We caught it very early, thank goodness. Be sure to update us as soon as you can with the latest news. Sending boxer love.

The Puppies said...

We are all crossing paws over here for you Chef!!! From our mom: Maggie, like Tanner, gets these growths that look like the one on Chef's chest all the time. She has had at least 5 of them (one currently on her shoulder which she plans on posting about this week). I have had two of them biopsied and removed and both times have turned out to be nothing. The other ones went away on their own (and one was on her eyelid!) That said, i understand wanting to know rather than waiting it out as that part sucks.... plus boxers are prone to cancer (or so i have read- Opal is my first). I am keeping my fingers crossed along with the puppies and hope to hear good news soon!!!
The Puppies (and their Mom)

Trailboss said...

At first I thought the spots didn't look like what Annie had. But, after looking back at some older photos, they do look similar to some she had on her face.

She has been diagnosed with skin cancer and we are currently treating her with medicine. I don't mean to scare you at all but I would encourage you to have a biopsy done soon. That way you will know one way or another. Feel free to email or comment on my blog if you want to chat.

i said...

Hugs to you Chef! Keeping paws crossed for you that it's nothing serious!

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Hey Chef...we thought we'd stop by and give ya some smoochie kisses and healin' vibes...

We'll be keepin our paws crossed and keepin' ya in our thoughts and prayers...

Love ya lots!!!

Scruffy, Lacie and Babystan

FleasGang said...

We're sending Spaniel hugs and kisses your way, Chef! Our only advice which it seems you're taking anyway, is to go with your gut and do whatever it takes to make YOU feel better about his spots. Please keep us updated.

luv
Shelly & Tommy

Lois Lane/Laney said...

Oh my goodness, I hope everything's okay!

Jake of Florida said...

Chef, We're sending you encouragng woofs!!! Keep us all posted!!

Jake and Just Harry

Noah the Airedale said...

Chef mate
We've been away and just got back to hear about your sores. We have our paws crossed for you buddy. Hope they just go away. We understand how your pinkies feel though.
Please keep us up to date on this.

Your pals
Noah Willow Tess Lucy x

Deetz said...

I am so sorry I am just now getting over here to see what is up....Maybe they are beauty marks, uh? I sure hope so cuz I think your a hansome boy and if it is something bad, then I say get rid of it quickly. Praying for you, my lil chef
Deetzy

Hero said...

I hope your surgery goes well and that you soon figure out what those things are. My buddy and next door neighbor, Abbey the Irish Setter, is going to the vets to have a lump just like yours checked out, but hers is on her neck. I'll have my paws crossed for the both of you.

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

Chef, I come back to check on you.
So Monday will be the day you get rid of those sores. Keep your mom busy, Chef. I keep crossing my paws but once in a while I'll relieve it to play with the wonderful toys that you sent me, hehe.
Oh Chef, please come over to see how our friends oohh and ahhh about your pressies. I want the whole wide world to see how great you are! Muahhhh!

Rambo said...

Hi Chef,
we are sorry to read about your health problems. me and the little midget will say some prayers and are sending you chihuahua hugs and kisses so that your boo boos go away.
good luck buddy,
Rambo & MM

Niamh said...

I am sure that your biopsy will go just fine and of course paws crossed for great results. We will be thinking of you on Monday!

Your friend,
Niamh

Peanut said...

hmm sorry I didn't see this sooner. Peanut has had several bumps like that and when I say several I mean over 5. They've all gone away by themselves within a month or two. He has one on his neck though that doesn't seem to be going away that I have to get checked out. I hope Chef's are okay.

Emma and Emmy said...

Thanks for let us know how you are doing.

Sweet Ginny said...

Oh Chef--I just saw this! I hope everything is okay!!

Keep us updated. Saying my boxer prayers for you!!