‘Red’ benign tumors; flea treatment should be 365
Q: I took my dog, “Goldie,” to the vet (recently). She has this tumor on her neck. It’s red and pretty ugly. The vet called it a histiocytoma and told me everything would be OK, but she keeps scratching it. I’m still worried. What should I do? T.K., Farragut
A: Please be assured that histiocytomas are benign tumors. This type of tumor can arise acutely and is typically hairless, red and occasionally bleeds and/or itches. The tumor should be differentiated from other potentially serious tumors. The typical method of diagnosis is fine-needle aspirate — placing a needle into the tumor and examining the cells.
In addition to histiocytomas being benign, most of them regress on their own (simply go away) within a few months without needing surgery. And yes, I agree, these tumors can look angry and scary, but over 99 percent will be gone in a short while.
Histiocytomas are common in younger dogs, but can occur at any age. The tumor is common in boxers and dachshunds, but can affect any breed or mixed breed.
If Goldie’s tumor doesn’t regress, surgery is always an option. If she is particularly itchy, speak to your vet regarding medical options to keep her comfortable. Best of luck to Goldie.
Q: I found a few fleas on my dogs last week. Since the weather is just now getting hot, I had not started my flea medications yet. When do you recommend typically starting that? T.H., Farragut
A: Our office recommends flea and tick prevention year-round. The winters here in East Tennessee can be unpredictable, but are generally mild. Even with the big snow this year, we were finding fleas and ticks on pets in February.
Fleas can cause irritation, secondary bacterial infections and transmit tapeworms. And with tickborne disease on the rise, prevention is more important than ever. Prevention is much easier than treatment, as fleas can lay 20 to 50 eggs per day. Fleas have a lengthy life cycle, with eggs that can hatch out in a few days, a few weeks or a few months.
There are many safe options for prevention for dogs and cats. There are topical and oral products available, some of which provide additional protection against heartworms and intestinal parasites. Most preventatives are used monthly, and there is one that lasts 12 weeks.
Talk to your veterinarian about which is right for your pet. He/she will evaluate your pet’s health status, preexisting conditions and take your pet’s lifestyle into consideration before recommending a particular product.
If you have questions about your pet, e-mail Dr. Myers at lenoircityac@gmail.com
