Sore under armpit - pics included

[BecksDad]

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since we posted. I'll have take a look at the new frenchie pics in the gallery!

Our Beckham is now 2 years old and full of energy and personality. We love the little guy!

Anyways, we noticed a wierd looking spot under his right armpit a few weeks ago. We thought it might have been irritation from his buddy belt, although he's been wearing it for about 1 year now. Today we noticed that it has darkened and it doesn't look very good.

Does anyone know what this could be? Is it cause for concern?

Thanks in advance!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/Brocksgirl24/DSCF4034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/Brocksgirl24/DSCF4038.jpg

Diana

[gmacleod]

I would let a vet take a look at that - they're the ones in the best position to adjudicate on what that might be. Does it seem to be itchy at all?

[BecksDad]

No, it isn't itchy.

We are going to take him to a vet but I was just hoping someone would have information beforehand. Our appointment isn't until Wednesday.

I did some quick research online and I think it might be a sweat gland cyst because of the bluish color and the fact that it is right under his armpit. Apparently it is common but it may require a biopsy.

I hope it isn't anything serious! Fingers crossed.

[kasia]

hi diana,

i'm sending good thoughts for beckham - hope it's nothing serious. mooi still wants to meet him to play at trinity whenever you guys move over here:)

[BecksDad]

Hey there!

I'm moving downtown in 3 weeks so we will definitely meet up at Trinity soon. Looking forward to it!!

[L. Cammack]

I am glad you are taking him to the vet quickly. Maggie had a little nodule that look almost exactly like that in almost the same area. It stayed very small almost the size of a nipple, excuse the expression, for several weeks. I didn't think much of it because I tend to over-react to every little thing, but then all of a sudden it grew and just "didn't look right". It had the little dots on it like in your picture. Hers was hard and did not have any discharge like a sore. Thank goodness I took her to the Vet because it was a Mass cell Tumor (I think I am using the correct term without looking back at the paperwork). Anyways, it was malignant and it scared me to death, but my Vet said we caught it early and it had not spread. He removed it and quite a bit of tissue around it, but felt confident that he removed all the cancer cells. This was last November and Maggie had just turned two in September. It broke my heart that my little girl had cancer at such an early age. It's been five months and she is doing great, but I learned a lesson and I have gone back to being my overly cautious self and will have everything checked out no matter how small.

I am sorry if I am scaring you, but you are smart to get him check out quickly. Good luck and l will pray that it's nothing to worry about.

Linda

[BecksDad]

Hi Linda,


Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm happy to hear that your Maggie is doing well. What a scary thing to have gone through, for both of you.

I am getting worried now. It would break my heart if something like that ever happened to him. It sounds like the exact same thing. It started out looking like a nipple or a pimple and over time, it just sort of got uglier. We didn't think it was anything to worry about and now I pray that we haven't waited to long.

I don't know how I can wait until Wednesday now.

Did you notice anything different in Maggie's personality? Beckham seems to be acting like himself for the most part.

[L. Cammack]

Maggie's personality never changed. You would have never known she had anything wrong. Also remember even if it is a mast cell tumor, it very likely could be benign--not malignant like Maggie's.

So you'll know what to expect, my Vet extracted fluid from the tumor and looked at it under a microscope and he did not like what he saw. He said the fluid had alot of "different looking stuff" floating in it, which he said was not a good sign. He said he could be wrong and it may still be benign. He also told us that day that even if it was malignant, judging from the way the tumor felt, he did not think it had spread, which was encouraging. Unfortunatley, the report from the patholigst confirmed that it was malignant and he did surgery the next day. He removed the tumor and as much tissue around it as he could to be on the safe side. We brought her home with a regimen of prednisone, which is the customary treatment for this type of cancer.

I was concerned last night after I answered your post that I may be worrying you needlessly, but after seeing your pictures, I felt bad that I did not share my story earlier on this board. My little Boston Terrier, Dixie, had nodule on her head several years ago, and it was just a cyst- -not a big deal so hopefully, Beckham will get a good report and if he doesn't, remember My Maggie is a cancer survivor and Beckham can be too.

Maggie and I send love and kisses to Beckham and pray for a good report.

[BecksDad]

I have an update!

The vet was not at all concerned about Beckham's sore. Apparently it is an infection, possibly yeast related. He gets a lot of yeast infections in his ears. We have a liquid to apply and we're to go back in 2 weeks if there is no improvement.

I'm so relieved!!

[L. Cammack]

appicon That is great news about Beckham. I have been thinking about both of you all day hoping you would get a good report. Have a good evening.

Linda

[BecksDad]

Thank you Linda!

[Boykins]

Glad to know you got such a (relatively) positive diagnosis! Good job, Becks. :p