Our nine year old Bichon has recently developed a couple of problems on or
just under the skin.

The first we noticed are a few pea-sized, hairless, pink 'boils' on his back
mainly. I have heard that this breed , and other all white breads, are know
for "skin problems", but have found very little specific information on the
web about it. I have also heard that some of these "problems" can be allergy
related.

This dog is shampooed every month or so, and gets an application of a
heartworm medication between the shoulder blades, and I worry that these
might be causing the problems. The boils don't seem to bother him much, but,
so far, are in places where he couldn't reach with his teeth or claws, so we
can't be sure of that.

Another issue is the recent discovery of a flattish, lens shaped 'lump' on
his ribs on one side. It seems to be able to move around independently the
skin, and just beneath it.

Anyone have any information, directions, etc?
--


MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca

On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:25:12 -0400 Michael Bulatovich whittled these words:
Our nine year old Bichon has recently developed a couple of problems on or
just under the skin.

Are you planning to take the dog to the vet for a real diagnosis?

--
Diane Blackman
There is no moral victory in proclaiming to abhor violence
while preaching with violent words.
http://dog-play.com/ http://dogplayshops.com/

Just came from there. He shrugged it off, since they had no "roots". The
"breed is known for skin problems". (I admit that we have not found what we
consider to be great veterinary practitioners nearby. Hence the resort to
the web and to newsgroups.)

--


MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca

wrote in message ...
On Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:25:12 -0400 Michael Bulatovich
whittled these words:
Our nine year old Bichon has recently developed a couple of problems on
or
just under the skin.

Are you planning to take the dog to the vet for a real diagnosis?

--
Diane Blackman
There is no moral victory in proclaiming to abhor violence
while preaching with violent words.
http://dog-play.com/ http://dogplayshops.com/

Our bichon developed those as he aged as well. I forget the exact term
for them but I don't think it's a big deal. It's benign. Sometimes,
they may bleed, like if your dog chews on it. I think the only reason
to get them removed is mainly for cosmetic reasons. As for the lump on
his ribs, if it moves, it's more likely to be benign although of course
you'd want a vet to look at it. It may simply be a lipoma - ie fatty
tumor that is benign. I don't know if your dog has allergies or not
but when our dog had them, we gave him Avoderm canned food and it
seemed to help a lot. Are you using Revolution for heartworm?
Wondering cause I might try that.


Michael Bulatovich wrote:
Our nine year old Bichon has recently developed a couple of problems on or
just under the skin.

The first we noticed are a few pea-sized, hairless, pink 'boils' on his back
mainly. I have heard that this breed , and other all white breads, are know
for "skin problems", but have found very little specific information on the
web about it. I have also heard that some of these "problems" can be allergy
related.

This dog is shampooed every month or so, and gets an application of a
heartworm medication between the shoulder blades, and I worry that these
might be causing the problems. The boils don't seem to bother him much, but,
so far, are in places where he couldn't reach with his teeth or claws, so we
can't be sure of that.

Another issue is the recent discovery of a flattish, lens shaped 'lump' on
his ribs on one side. It seems to be able to move around independently the
skin, and just beneath it.

Anyone have any information, directions, etc?
--


MichaelB
www.michaelbulatovich.ca

Thanks for the reply. The thing on his ribs *feels* fatty.

I've been looking into the allergy explanation, but have yet to approach the
vet about it. Last time we brought up a symptom, it cost a thousand in fees,
they shrugged their shoulders in the end, and suggested more tests. The
condition cleared up on its own and our current thinking is that it was a
vaccine reaction. We haven't vaccinated him as often, and it hasn't come
back. (They were playing with the idea it was Lupus!)

We are giving him "Advantage multi 20" by Bayer for
fleas/heartworm/nematodes. It's his second year on that.

Did your dog outgrow the allergies?

"GinaL" wrote in message
ups.com...
Our bichon developed those as he aged as well. I forget the exact term
for them but I don't think it's a big deal. It's benign. Sometimes,
they may bleed, like if your dog chews on it. I think the only reason
to get them removed is mainly for cosmetic reasons. As for the lump on
his ribs, if it moves, it's more likely to be benign although of course
you'd want a vet to look at it. It may simply be a lipoma - ie fatty
tumor that is benign. I don't know if your dog has allergies or not
but when our dog had them, we gave him Avoderm canned food and it
seemed to help a lot. Are you using Revolution for heartworm?
Wondering cause I might try that.