Vet Time: My Dog Has a Bump On His Cheek

Brisbane has a big bump on his cheek, and it's probably an abscessed tooth. Poor Briz! At first I was worried it could be cancer, but several of my internet friends have suggested that it looks like an abscessed carnassial tooth. Those are the biggest back teeth in the upper jaw. Of course we're going to the vet later today. I noticed the bump on Friday night, when all veterinary issues arise around here, but Brisbane's doctor doesn't think this is an emergency situation so we're waiting for an available appointment.

What are the Symptoms?

The bump on Brisbane's face is very hard, it feels just like the other side of his face except for the shape. It doesn't feel warm to the touch, and he doesn't mind me poking at it so it doesn't seem to be causing him pain. He is still gnawing bully sticks happily on both sides of his mouth and basically acts like he is fine.

The bump has actually been there for about two weeks, but it has been slowly growing and wasn't big enough for me to really identify it as a problem until Friday. I didn't think it was an abscess at first because it isn't hot or painful. Brisbane actually has beautiful clean teeth, another reason I didn't suspect an abscess.

Is this an Emergency?

According to my vet, the probable-abscess is an urgent problem, but not an actual emergency. As long as Brisbane is eating normally, drinking normally, and breathing normally, he can wait a few days for an appointment with his regular vet. Given his various health issues, I'm comfortable waiting to see the doctor who knows him best. I did call the clinic that did Ru's dental a few months ago, but they were unable to see Briz before today either.

Arthritis: That's Not 'Getting Old', It's 'Pain'

Few things make me quite as sad as seeing an elderly dog limping badly, and knowing that there is no relief in sight for that dog. There are a lot of people who genuinely believe that debilitating pain is just a normal part of getting old for dogs. The thing is, they don't fully realize that "getting old and creaky"="debilitating pain".

I do understand that getting old hurts. I have autoimmune joint issues that mean I get to deal with some of that decades earlier than many of my peers. However, I always have the option to take pain medication. My dog doesn't have that.

It's true that dogs slow down and spend more time sleeping in their senior years. Keeping them at a healthy weight and making sure they get plenty of exercise can help keep them comfortable. Rehab and physical therapy can also help them compensate. However, it's important to recognize and treat the pain that comes with arthritis.

"Getting old" doesn't slow down you dog, pain does. The reason he stops jumping up on the couch or your bed is because it hurts too much to do that anymore. Often the reason he stops tolerating the antics of children or younger dogs is because it hurts too much for him to play. He can't play ball for as long as he used to because after a few throws it hurts too bad for him to keep playing.

Is pain medication "natural"? Nope. You know what else isn't "natural"? Getting old. In nature, animals that slow down fall prey to the many dangers of life in the wild. Let's face it, most of our dogs would starve or be the victim of a more able-bodied predator long before they reach this geriatric stage of life. It's our fault, through advances in diet and health care, that our dogs live long enough to suffer debilitating arthritis. Though it is through the best of intentions, we did this to them.

Our dogs don't have thumbs. They can't open a pill bottle, or make an appointment to complain to the vet that they just can't handle a game of fetch anymore. I think we owe it to them to make their twilight years as comfortable as possible. Even if pain meds have the potential to shorten their lives, I am firmly of the opinion that it kinder to give them a few comfortable years. Forcing them to live longer years in great pain is just selfish.

Over the Counter People Medication for My Dogs

You should always ask your vet before givng your dog any type of over the counter medication. I am a dog owner and not a veterinarian and can't give anyone medical advice. What I can do is share what I do with my own dogs.

In general I assume that over the counter medication for humans is not safe for dogs unless I have heard it directly from my own veterinarian, or from a trusted friend who heard it from their own veterinarian. I know the wrong kind of pain medication can cause organ damage, and the oes that are safer for people are more dangerous for pets.

I know a lot of people who give their dogs asprin. A low-dose, enteric-coated asprin helps Brisbane feel better when he has overdone it at the beach. My vet says if he needs it too often, I should consider getting him a pain prescription. He only needs an asprin once or twice a month, so I think he's ok.

Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is so useful that I buy big bottles of it at Costco. It seems to be incredibly difficult to overdose on Benadryl. Ru has stepped on a bee at the beach twice now, and my vet said to give my wee 6-lb chihuahua an entire pill. It didn't put him to sleep, but it did make him super-clingy for the rest of the day. He needed to be held and snuggled continuously. Brisbane has environmental allergies, and when he is very itchy I usually toss a couple of Benadryl in with his dinner. If he has eaten chicken, duck, turkey, or eggs I will also give him Benadryl a couple of times a day until the itching subsides. I try not to give it to him every day though, because it is possible to build up a tolerance. I personally can take half a dozen pills and feel nothing.

My vet thinks that Briz is allergic to pollens and grasses in addition to foods. I give him Zyrtec every day to keep him less itchy. Not all of my vets have recommended this, at least one said he had zero experience giving dogs allergy medication other than Benadryl, but that it wouldn't hurt him so I was welcome to try it. A friend gives their dog Claritin every day, their vet has some experience with preventative allergy meds and told them to give their 50-lb dog three pills a day because they metabolize it faster than people. Coscto sells 365 Costco-brand Zyrtec pills for $15. I like having them around for guests with cat allergies, too.

When I run out of salmon oil and can't be bothered to get more, I sometimes give Brisbane a few of my husband's omega-3 gummies. There are a lot of people supplements that are also used for dogs, but I don't give mind a lot of supplements. I have also given Brisbane glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM, but didn't notice any difference so I can't really say they helped.