[akbassetangel]

My friend Huckelberry is a recent(about a month ago) rescue from an island in the Aleutian chain here in Alaska. Huckelberry is an older gentelman- an intact male (he will be neutered this week). Huck is approximately 8+ and has several lumps on his back, behind one ear, and at the corners of both eyes. These lumps and not draining and do not seem to be painful, they are in the skin layers it seems, however I am very concerned as to what they may be. The lump below one of his eyes is a bit large, and Huck seems to have a tiny bit of a yucky nose(some discharge). Can anyone help me with suggestions as to what Huck's lumps may be? Can older Bassets take injectable Dura Penicillian? Are these lumps a common issue with Bassets? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Betsy Iole]

Welcome, and thanks for rescuing this fellow.

Epidermal inclusion cysts, more commonly known as sebaceous cysts, are common in bassets. These are benign cysts that tend to be well-circumscribed and within the skin, unattached to underlying tissue or bone. These sometimes rupture and may require surgical excision if infected.

Benign fatty tumors (lipomas) are not uncommon in middle-aged and older dogs.

There are several other types of tumors, both benign and malignant, that also can involve the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Sometimes, enlarged lymph nodes (reactive or cancerous) can be felt as lumps, and sometimes, sites of infection can present as lumps.

When Huckleberry goes in for neutering, your vet can examine the lumps and determine whether they should be further evaluated by means of either fine needle aspiration (where a needle is inserted into the lump and cells are drawn out) or by incisional or excisional biopsy, where either a piece or the whole lump is surgically removed. Good luck, and please let us know how Huck's doing.

[ February 22, 2004, 05:53 PM: Message edited by: Betsy Iole ]

 

[Mikey T]

Causes of Solid-Appearing Lumps & Bumps on the Skin

 

[Barbara Winters]

I believe Dura-Pen is for cattle. I wouldn't use any medication unless prescribed by my veterinarian.