Mysterious Red Splotch

[Guest Nekos_Mommy]

I Just rescued my racer about 3 weeks ago. He's 4 years old and the most gentle soul! I just noticed last night that he had a small red splotch on his stomach, and today it is a bit larger. It is not raised or sensitive in the slightest, just discolored. I'm curious if anyone has ever come across this? (If it continues to spread we will go to the vet, I just got him insurance and have 15 days left in the waiting period! I'm hoping it is nothing serious or something that can wait so I dont have to add dermatological issues to the list of pre-existing conditions!)

 

I'd appreciate anyone letting me know if they've seen anything of the sort before, if not, i'll give it a few more days to see if he managed to bruise himself or scrape it on something while we were out (he has separation anxiety issues - we're working with an animal behavior specialist to try and train through it)

 

I may just be paranoid! I'm a pre-veterinary student who works in small animal surgery at the oregon state university referral hospital and have worked in too many hospitals before.. Constantly seeing animals that have the absolute worst of luck makes me TERRIFIED for what might happen for my boy! thank god for insurance... now this needs to heal up, or at least wait 15 days to flare up!

 

anyways, I figured it was a shot to ask the greyhound-savvy people on here, as it seems to have worked out well for some other people who posted.

 

 

 

Here is a picture of Neko! He's such an angel.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Nekos_Mommy

[Sambuca]

It looks like a bruise to me.

Are there lots of small dots within that area? I've seen areas that look a bit like that that was a blotch of acne.

It also doesn't look very red to me.

[Guest Nekos_Mommy]

It doesnt look as red in the picture but it is dark red in person, his light hair in front of it gives it a lighter tinge. Theres not small dots, its one solid dark color and the skin is perfectly smooth there... I'm hoping its just a bruise!

 

The part that worries me is that it was tiny yesterday and has grown a lot.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Nekos_Mommy

[brianamac]

Sounds and looks like a bruise, although I don't have much experience. But MAN is he cute! What a gorgeous pup!

[Guest Nekos_Mommy]

Thanks for the responses! I'll keep an eye on it

[DocsDoctor]

What a sweetie! I think some of this at any rate will be just ingrained dirt/blackheads. Sounds horrid but is nothing to worry about -lots of greyhounds have this in the same place, especially if they have been living in kennels, because this is the point where their chests rest on the ground when they 'sphinx' (lie down on all fours).

 

This vet's website has helpful information about 'comedones' (the blackheads) and other greyhound health matters

http://www.grassmere...l.htm#Comedones

 

I remember worrying myself about this same thing. The kennels I adopted Doc from here in the UK suggested putting a bit of Sudocrem (a medicated cream, very mild and usually used for nappy rash) on the spot before a walk, so it had time to soak in. With time/ soft bedding/ living inside the comedones will clear, but if you like you can also speed the process up a bit by soaking the spot with a hot wet flannel and then gently squeezing the spots. That is, if he'll let you do that while he's lying down and it doesn't gross you out....

 

Edited to add: yes, I think there's a bit of bruising there too. Maybe he lay down too fast and thumped himself in the process? Doesn't look serious!

Edited November 29, 2012 by DocsDoctor

[JohnF]

I think it's likely to be a bruise as well. Maybe flea bite allergy but they're somewhat redder and can get bacterial infection and, if let go, then fungal overgrowth as well. But I guess you've seen all that in your work.

 

Lovely dog... keep an eye on that inflammation. Benadryl could lessen allergic reaction.

[GeorgeofNE]

It's a bruise--but you really should take any newly adopted dog to the vet when you get it, if for no other reason than for the vet to see it healthy.

 

He needs to be checked for parasites, etc. Unless you're lucky enough to have adopted him from a group that does all that for you?

[kudzu]

Looks like a bruise to me. My hounds get them periodically in various shapes & sizes. It's most noticeable on my white hound & initially looks redder on him. Can change color & shape in the upcoming days. If it just happened it may even swell up a bit. As long as it isn't getting dramatically larger or spots popping up in new areas I wouldn't worry.

 

You may try witch hazel to help speed resolution of the discoloration. That works for humans. I think it's mostly a cosmetic thing so have never tried it on my hounds but it wouldn't hurt.

[racindog]

Looks like a greyhound bruise to me. Don't worry more than likely it will just go away. He is sooooo cute! Love the pj picture!

[BatterseaBrindl]

It's a bruise--but you really should take any newly adopted dog to the vet when you get it, if for no other reason than for the vet to see it healthy.

 

He needs to be checked for parasites, etc. Unless you're lucky enough to have adopted him from a group that does all that for you?

 

Have to agree!

[Guest Nekos_Mommy]

I took him to the vet the week of adoption to do a wellness exam and a U/A to make sure that the UTI that they thought he had was gone, and he was cleared! (the group I got him from also takes him to a vet to get all checked up and medicated so he'd be healthy when its time to go home), But I just wanted to make sure. I just witnessed last night that he has been bite-itching the spot where the redness is (I'm pretty sure its been going on longer than the redness has been here) So he probably bruised himself itching too hard. I'll keep an eye out for any small bites or anything and if it continues take him in to see if it could be a food allergy.

 

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Guest mld]

Love the PJ's

[Trihounds]

I say bruise too.

 

One thing you can do in the future (though you may already know this given where you work) if you are concerned about the size or something like this getting bigger or changing, outline it with a marker and then you'll be able to tell how it changes over time and the rate at which it changes. It's sometimes helpful if you aren't sure what it is. But this looks like a simple bruise to me so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

Good looking pupper, though!