Shell81

So Bruce must have felt left out. Both kids have been sick all week, and today I noticed this on Bruce's cheek (where the whisker on the side is). It's hard, and the whisker is missing. I took him to my vet as soon as I saw it, and she is as stumped as me. It's not an abscess, or infected tooth, it almost looks like a pimple or ingrown hair (which my vet said was a possibility). In all my time as a tech I've never seen a lump on a cheek like this.

Anyway, he is his normal crazy self (eating, playing, being a land shark), and our vet put him on an an antibiotic just in case. I'm compressing it 3x a day, and she said as long as it's no worse we'll recheck it when he goes in for his rabies shot in a couple weeks (but also said it very well could be long gone by them). Just wondered if anyone had seen anything quite like this.

The pic kind of sucks, but I didn't want to wake the beast

Edit*Whoops, totally wrong sub forum. Sorry mods.

VZ-Doberman

That's the general area that a long hair or two grows. Can't say if one of those got infected or ingrown. Could he have gotten stung by something? I'm no vet.

Shell81

Nothing that could have stung him (winter). The 2 long hairs that are on the other side in that spot are missing. My vet thinks it could possibly be an ingrown hair, or infection. I'm not worried as he's been to the vet, and is on his meds just stumped as I've not seen anything like it myself.

Cathy43

Spider bite? Those are still around in the winter.

Rouleaux

I'm going to guess ingrown hair, but when did the two whiskers go missing? Could be irritation from having them pulled out and/or tiny infection from that?

I bet you tried to pop it I would have. Any luck or did it just hurt?

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Shell81

I suppose it's possible, but I don't think so. We don't have any species of spiders around here that cause much of a reaction. I do keep tarantulas, but I have them in a separate room with a lock (closet transformed actually), and nobody is missing so that's not it.

Haha, I compressed it, and yeah I did play with it a bit. A teeny tiny bit of pus but nothing "fun" . I am really thinking it has something to do with the missing whiskers because they were there before. It's just so weird, I've seen many a bug bite on dogs, many abscesses, allergic reactions, really anything that can cause swelling or lumps/bumps, but this one is new to me lol.

RedFawnRising

Mark of The Beast?

Sorry had to.

To get you back for the nightmare material with which you have provided me...tarantulas. In a closet. And you don't think "anyone's missing." <shudder>

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Rouleaux

That is awesome. I am not a tarantula person, but they look so cute and fuzzy.

Did you try warm compresses? Epsom salt sponge soaks? What abx is he on?

I am very interested in what this turns out to be and WHEN it clears up, if the whiskers will reappear.

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Shell81

Oh S***! Do I own the antichrist? Some days I think I do...

As for the tarantulas I KNOW nobody is missing, all enclosures are locking enclosures, and I check everyone twice a day. The (small walk in) closet was converted into a small shelved room to keep them in, and it also has a locked door. Not because I worry about the spiders, the bite from the majority of tarantula species are no worse than bee stings (plus their venom does not contain the same proteins as bee venom, thereore can not cause an anaphylactic reaction!) The species that do have stronger venom still can't kill you either. Anyway, it's locked so the cats don't get in and wreak havoc, and because I don't want the kids getting at them. I've rambled lol long story short NONE are missing, and they are extremely well secured.

I actually got my first tarantula years ago in an attempt to get over my insane phobia of spiders. I ended up realizing what incredible creatures they are and that was that. Even though I love my tarantulas, I am still afraid of true spiders (ie non tarantula spiders) lol.

He is on Clavaseptin 125mg BID x 7days. I have been hot compressing with epsom salts TID, so far it is exactly the same. He is totally himself otherwise though. I am also interested if the whiskers come back or not lol. I will keep you posted.

Shell81

Just an update (I know Rouleaux wanted one ).

It's still there, however it has decreased in size by about 1/4. It also is not as hard as it was when I first noticed it/took him to the vet. He has 4 days left of his antibiotics, and our vet wanted me to do the hot compresses for 3 days which was up to today. Nothing came out of it after the very first day when I got a minuscule amount of pus from it. No clue what it is/was, but it seems to be resolving and not causing any other issues. Now to see if the whiskers regrow there.

Patches Mom

How about some old fashioned Smile's Prid in a orange round container its a old time drawing salve?

Shell81

Never heard of it, but I will keep it in mind if the need arises. Thanks

Patches Mom

What Is Prid Salve?
By Eleanor McKenzie, eHow Contributor

Print this article

Prid salve is a homeopathic treatment. It is also known as Original "Black" Drawing Salve and as Smiles Prid Drawing Salve. The product has been made by Hyland's Homeopathic for 50 years.
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Features

Prid salve's main ingredients are carbolic acid, arnica, calendula, echinacea and sulphur in an ointment of beeswax, petrolatum and parabens. In accordance with FDA regulations, Prid salve packaging lists all ingredients, conditions suitable for treatment and safety measures.
Uses

The salve is used for topical relief of skin irritation, boils and superficial cuts or wounds. The sale is spread on gauze after cleaning and drying the affected skin. Prid is applied twice daily until the irritation subsides, after which a once a day treatment is sufficient until the condition clears completely.
Considerations

Consult a physician if Prid salve has not cleared a condition within seven days. The product is for external use only: if it is ingested, users should consult a doctor or poisons unit. Equally, it should not be used around the eyes. The National Institutes of Health advises that homeopathic remedies should not be used as a replacement for conventional medicine.


Read more: What Is Prid Salve? | eHow.com What Is Prid Salve? | eHow.com
Could your Fur Kid reach it to lick it if he can do not think Prid would be safe. Sorry should have looked it up first.

Shell81

Just an update for anyone who was interested (it's a little late, but better late than never). It completely resolved, and the whiskers have also grown back.