Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-04-2004 08:58 PM         

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I took Witt and Dooley to the vet today, Dooley had his annuals and Witt had his ear looked at. The vet thinks it is a tumor called Cutaneous Histiocytoma. He said it mostly occurs in young dogs and usually around the head especially in the ears. They are benign and he said they usually resolve themselves in several weeks so he wants me to just watch it and come back if it doesn't go away on it's own in 3-4 weeks. In that case they will probably remove it surgically.
As usual I had to come home and look it up...never hurts to research on your own too!
Below is the simplest explanation I could find.

Cutaneous histiocytomas are commonly referred to as button tumors because of their distinctive red, raised or dome-shaped appearance. Typically they are shiny and hairless and frequently ulcerate. Cutaneous histiocytomas appear on the face, eyelids, and head (especially the ears), and on the front legs and feet. They commonly affect dogs and arise at any age, but most commonly occur in dogs up to three years old. Certain breeds are more likely to develop these tumors, including Boxers, dachshunds, cocker spaniels, bull terriers, Great Danes and shelties. Purebred dogs tend to develop these tumors more frequently than mixed breeds. Single lesions are most common, but clusters or groups may also occur. The cause is unknown.

Cutaneous histiocytomas tend to grow rapidly and subsequently regress. Regression typically occurs over several weeks to a few months. Microscopic tissue studies have shown that that a characteristic lymphoid inflammatory infiltrate into the tumor occurs with regression of the mass. Apoptosis may play a role in tumor regression. Apoptosis is a process in which a cell altered by a tumor-forming or other disruptive process will self-destruct. As a result, many cutaneous histiocytomas resolve without treatment. (Many tumors will have begun regressing by the time the client wishes to investigate or to take action.) However, the tendency for these tumors to ulcerate, drain and scab, and cause secondary problems like infection justifies removing them surgically. Removal is by excision; superficial lesions may be frozen off with cryosurgery. Histiocytomas recur only infrequently after surgery or spontaneous regression.

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Member

Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-04-2004 10:35 PM         

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Hi Maisey, I was wondering how Witt's ear was. There was another post about a wart on a dogs ear, i think I'll try to find it, and refer her here. I'm happy to hear that he's going to be fine.

Susan

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Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 02-05-2004 08:16 AM         

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Maisey, glad to hear it doesnt sound like anything serious and he is okay
honeybear

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