Apparently that's what he's got goin on on his paw. Doc's gonna do cytology on it anyways (i.e., she's going to take a sample to the lab) just to make sure that it's not a mast cell tumor. She thinks it's much more likely to be a histiocytoma.
Apparently, this is relatively common amongst young adult dogs, and manifests in a red, large, benign tumor, usually on the face or limbs. They tend to emerge almost overnight (um, yep, that's what happened here) and will dissolve on their own after a few months. Here's Otis's.
It doesn't seem to bother him much, but it will bleed at times when he's running on rough surfaces. For instance, when we were at the park on Christmas Eve, he ran through the snowy woods chasing daddy. (They like to play hide-n-seek in the snow.) Then he realized it was stinging and sore and went a little lame. Poor guy. I think the ice and salt irritate it some.
Doc will come back to our house next week to take samples. 'Tis one drama-filled moment after another with Otis, isn't it? I swear...
Oh well, guess that's just our lot in life with him. Luckily he brings us such joy that it's worth any drama that he brings with him. And luckily he seems oblivious to the drama, for the most part. It's only mom and dad that get to enjoy the knowledge of the extent of his problems. Truly is like having a child, I suppose.
Anyhow, here are some more pics of my man-man. Such happiness--reflects what the season means to me. Living in the moment, moving forward without looking back, and finding joy in the simple things. Ah, Otis--what a philosopher you are! ;-)
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