Saturday, November 16, 2013

Sometimes Small Things Don't Stay So Small

I went to visit my vet yesterday. 
Mom had discovered an irritated spot in my armpit a few days ago.  She cleaned it, and watched it to see if it was just an itchy bug bite, or something else.  Well, it turned into a rash with a few pustules.  
 So, off the the vet I went.  Mom was thinking it might have been a Staph infection like I had last year.  He said it wasn't infected with Staph yet.  He said Mom did a good job catching it early, and that we could treat it topically.  Now I have a special spray for it.  It is already improving.  
The vet asked if I could have been bitten by an ant.  Mom said that could have happened.  This county has lots of ants, and I like to lay on the ground sometimes.   An ant could have crawled into my fur where Mom couldn't see it.   The basic theory is that an ant bit me, and my scratching irritated the whole area. 
Sometimes a girl's just got to roll!
 While we were there, Mom also had the vet check the sebaceous cyst on my hip.  It's been there for over a year, but it was only a cosmetic issue.   The vet had said to wait until I needed my teeth cleaned, then he'd remove it at the same time.   Mom kept an eye on it all this time.   Mom thinks that lately the cyst seems a little bigger.    
My vet checked my cyst and said it was larger than last time.  He said it feels different too.   The cyst probably ruptured internally, and is making scar tissue.   The cyst is no longer strictly a cosmetic concern, now it needs to come out.   After the cyst is removed, it will be biopsied.
I go back to the vet on Monday to have surgery.   The vet will remove the cyst, clean my teeth, and "quick" cut my nails.   My teeth still look good, so I don't really need a dental, but I may as well have one while I am under the anesthesia.    Mom also asked to have my nails cut short while I am anesthetized so I won't feel the pain.   My quicks are too long to allow the groomer to clip my nails short enough.   I had a regular nail trim while I was at the vet's office, and one nail was "quicked".  I also had my anals expressed.   On top of all that stuff, I got an anti inflammatory shot right before we left.  The shot is to help the itchy rash go away.   I'm also not supposed to wear a harness while I have the rash, so we will be staying home.
Take a good look....
.......Because after Monday, I will have a shaved spot somewhere in this general area.   
I'm sure some of you will notice it in some of my future photos.

19 comments:

  1. Oh Pepper me and Mommie hope you be all right after dat surgery. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh! Pepper. I know you will be all right. Sending you Lots of Golden LOVE. Lots of Golden OWofs, Sugar

    ReplyDelete
  3. It sounds like they are going to give you the works! Hope everything goes well for you Pepper.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Pepper! We're sending you our best thoughts your way along with a lot of fuzzy, beard nuzzles. We hope you recover soon so that you can get back to the work you love so much. Make sure you milk it for all it's worth. Moms give out more treats that way. Practice looking pathetic in the mirror while she's asleep tonight & tomorrow night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BOL!! The treat milking has already begun! Mom has to lay me on my back and stretch the arm to spray the armpit rash. I don't like being held down and sprayed. (Teaser alert: I am also taste testing a new treat due for review this month; it is super yummy.) Soooooo.....I get a little piece of treat before the spray = the bribe, and I get a bigger piece of treat after the spray = the apology. The spray is twice a day for the first week! Jackpot! BOL! Because I have to skip breakfast tomorrow, I have also been promised a spoonful of Baron's homemade cooked food on top of my raw dinner tonight. (oatmeal, chicken, beef, veggies:{potatoes, carrots, green beans, lima beans, & beets}, eggs, and crushed eggshell) Since the homemade food has oatmeal in it, Mom hopes it will keep me feeling full longer.
      Hugs,
      Pepper

      Delete
  5. Aww you poor girl, but at least you will feel better after all that is done. Best of lucky with your surgery, Pepper!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The same thing happens to me, Pepper. I get a lumpy and the next thing you know I'm waking up with stitches and clean teeth! I only hope you don't have to wear the *c*o*n*e*!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mom forgot to ask about the cone, but I suspect it will make an appearance. BOL! After she read your comment, she put my cone next to her purse. Mom says thank you for reminding her about the cone. Pawsonally, I was hoping she would keep forgetting about the cone. BOL!
      Hugs,
      Pepper

      Delete
  7. Sending lots of love to you Pepper *hugs* We will be thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Best of luck at the vet, Pepper! It's awesome that you're so well cared for.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you all so much for the get well wishes. It means a lot to me and Mom.
    Hugs,
    Pepper

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good luck at the vet Pepper! That's a lot of work so hope you recover quickly to your old self! Love Dolly

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Pepper, those cyst can be so annoyin'! I sometimes get em, butts they usually go away on their own. I also have 'nail problems' so Ma has to take me to the vettie to have my nails trimmed, and I hates it!! BOL
    I'll be sendin' you good thoughts and like everyone said, milk it for all it's worth!! hehehe
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

    ReplyDelete
  12. Pepper, my precious pink princess...I am sorry to hear that your cyst is causing you problems and that you will have to have surgery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers so you come through it all quick and easy! I know all about those silly ant bites...the vet thinks that is what happens to me too, then I get all itchy. I guess we need to try harder not to scratch the itchy spots so they don't spread.

    I will check on you after your surgery.
    *Cairn cuddles*
    Oz

    ReplyDelete
  13. This was definitely not a fun visit to the vet. Too bad you have to go back, but it is for your benefit. I'm sure the cyst is not cancerous, but it is a good idea for it to come out. Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pepper,
    We hope that all goes well with your procedure tomorrow. Sending you big hugs and kisses.
    Daisy, Gretchen & Banjo

    ReplyDelete
  15. I sincerely hope that shave spot grows back for you. It doesn't always grow back after double coated hair is trimmed, and looks really quite sad. :( Of course it needs to be done, so you are definitely doing the right thing! We'll be keeping our paws crossed everything goes well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know some Poms never grow fur back after a shave. I was shaved into almost a lion clip when I had knee surgery at 7 months old, and my fur grew back. My fur also keeps growing back from my sanitary trims. I think I have a decent chance of it growing back this time, but nothing is guaranteed.
      Hugs,
      Pepper

      Delete
  16. Oh Pepper, I didn't see this until now, but I hope you're doing okay. Tell mom to give you lots of treats!
    ~ Maria ~

    ReplyDelete