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- - Toe Cancer? (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sick-injured-emergencies-talk/246122-toe-cancer.html)

You were so smart to continue to pursue this. Thank goodness you did! Please keep us updated. You are both in our prayers!

I appreciate all of your comments so much! I've definitely felt like a wreck this week, but having my feelings validated by you guys greatly helps.

I actually did have an account on this forum years and years ago, probably even before I got Baxter. I don't think I have access to the same email address, so I just created a new login. I have peeked in periodically in the forums over the past few years, but just as an observer.

I'm not sure how I'm going to approach the issue with the first vet. He actually goes to Doggie Daycare at that first vet's office and I really like that particular service they provide. They're the only ones in town that provide an active Day Care where he is taken outside multiple times and gets to play with other dogs the whole time.

And yes, they are still working on the biopsy and they haven't officially diagnosed the type of cancer yet. The vet did say that there are cancerous cells and that the pathologist would determine the type. As of today, the vet says that the with the cells in the sample that they took, they were able to rule out 3 (or 4, I don't remember) types of tumors. They said there there is tumor activity in the tissue and they would need a bigger sample to make a diagnosis. The vet said that they only took a sample from one location, but that it is still possible that there are other pockets of cells from the other types of tumors.

Basically, he said that they didn't feel comfortable taking a bigger sample yet, because they would have to take a large portion of his toe and they might as well take the whole toe if they wanted to go that route. He says that the pathologists recommendations were to keep him on anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory medication for the next week and then let the vet look at it then. He did say to check on it in the morning and at night and call him if I notice any changes at all. He said amputation may be premature since we don't know what type of tumor it is.

So that's good news. It's in the early stages and the vet and pathologist feel like it's treatable. We're not out of the woods yet, but I feel better that they didn't come back and say it was the worst case scenario!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpp33 (Post 3904070)

About three-four weeks ago I noticed that Baxter occasionally started limping. The limping slowly increased and I noticed that the skin around his one toe nail looked red. He licked it frequently, so I tried to keep him from licking it and put antibiotic ointment on it a maybe once every few days. He is now reluctant to walk on our morning and evening walks. I have to carry him to his patch of grass to go potty. He will walk back to the house, but he will not walk away from the house. Anytime he walks in grass, he limps the whole time.

The layer of dark, tough skin that makes up the pad peeled off over the course of about two days. The affected area is still only on that one toe.

I took him to the vet on Monday, who was more worried about giving him his yearly vaccinations which were due on Tuesday, than he was about checking the paw. He barely looked at his paw and was dismissive immediately about my concerns.

He did trim the hair around the toe and clip the nails. I just don't feel like he looked at it closely. I feel like he assumed it was just an abrasion and moved on to trying to get me to consent to giving him a million vaccinations.

(I didn't want to do vaccinations because I didn't want to stress his immune system if there is an infection in his toe.)

I took pictures today and did some reading online. I read this article on Toe Cancer in dogs. I asked my father to look at the pictures and then read the article, and he suspects that this may be a potential diagnosis.

I'm going to take him again to another vet in town for a second opinion. I just moved here and I don't like this vet that we went to on Monday.

Does anyone have experience with skin/toe carcinomas in dogs? What do you guys think?

Note in the pictures that on the bottom of the pad there is a lot of discoloring. There is a dark circle surrounded by varying shades of white. There is no puss that I have seen. There does appear to be a circle of skin beside the toenail that looks as if it is a blister with no liquid in it.

There are no noticeable abrasions, he is in excellent health, and is his appropriate weight. He is fairly active and not particularly sedate.

I would appreciate any comments you guys have. I can't bare the thought of Baxter being in pain.

"I took him to the vet on Monday, who was more worried about giving him his yearly vaccinations which were due on Tuesday, than he was about checking the paw. He barely looked at his paw and was dismissive immediately about my concerns. "

I would try to find a new vet as they are more interested in making $$$ than treating your little boy. Is there an ASPCA type place in your area with an animal clinic? I find that thr non-profits care more about your animal than the private practice vets. I take Miles to the bideawee vet in NY. They are wonderful. Bideawee's programs: adoption, veterinarians, education, pet memorial

I hope you have a similar organization in your area? You must!!

I am so sorry you and Baxter are going through this and I will pray that it is not malignant and that he will be fine. Hugs to you and I hope to hear good news soon! It's unbelievable that your vet was not concerned with Baxter's foot. Thank goodness you took him to another and have caught it in time!

It was such a good thing that you pursued a second opinion. Keeping your little guy in my thoughts for the best outcome.

Hugs to you and that cutie Baxter!

I'm really sorry that Baxter and you are going through this. I pray that the dx will be very hopeful. As for the first vet, I would talk with him face to face and very calmly tell him how disappointed you are that he did not investigate this problem further. He is a jerk but if you like the doggie day care then just let him know that he did not do his job and hopefully he will do better when the next patient has a problem.
Best of luck to you both.

I'm so sorry that you and Baxter are going through this. The pictures make it look painful. I'm so glad you knew to go with your gut and get a second opinion.

You caught it so early and took your pup to the vet quickly! Props to you!

I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts.

So glad to hear you found a vet who was more concerned with Baxter then the last one. I will be Praying for good news.

Oh my gosh, poor you, poor Baxter! I hope to read better news as the week goes on! You are such a good Daddy, being so attentive to your baby and knowing something was not right and taking him to the vet right away. :) I'll keep you both in my prayers as you wait for answers and treatment.

I commend you for being such a diligent owner.

Be assured Baxter will be in my prayers right now.:aimeeyork

I am just checking in on Baxter to see how he is doing.

Michael and Baxter,
Kristy and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! I am so proud of how persistent you were with his diagnosis. You knew something wasn't right and you got him the help he needed. Keep us posted and continue to be strong!