Blister/Scab on Face

[RemingtonLove]

Hi, new to the site and would so appreciate any advice. I was bathing my dog today and noticed a dark red blister-type of bump on my dog's face. It's on the right side of his face, between his right eye and right whisker-area... It is about the size a pea, and feels like a scab. I wish there were a way I could post a photo... It is round, dark red, hard, slightly raised but more flat to his skin, and looks for the most part dry, with a little bit of liquid on the edges. Any idea what this could be? Should I be concerned? I am very attentive to my dog, but this was the first time I noticed it!
I want more than anything for my dog to be healthy in every possible way, but already with 2 ear infections, shots, anal sac problems, and possible skin allergies all this year, I would like to see if I could maybe not dig any deeper into the pockets.... :) I know I should certainly NOT substitute my dog's health care with a website, but thought maybe I'd give this a shot and hopefully it could turn out to be not such a big deal. :)

Thanks for all of your help! This site is fantastic!

[RemingtonLove]

Thank you both, Misfits4Me and Dr. Cheng, I really appreciate both responses...

Reading the description for cutaneous histiocytoma, it looks as though most resolve on its own within 2-3 months... I've noticed my dog's "lesion" is getting much lighter in color, and hardening as well... I'm going to keep an eye on this, but my gut tells me to take him in and possibly get a biopsy on the growth.

Thanks so much again for all of your help! So happy to have found this site...

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The lesion really sounds like a cutaneous histiocytoma.  Cutaneous histiocytoma are benign dermal masses that occur commonly in younger dogs and will regress on it's own in 2 to 3 months.  However, it would be best to have the lesion biopsied to be sure.

The following description is from the Merck Veterinary Manual:

"These comprise a group of poorly defined skin diseases all characterized by a proliferation of histiocytes (tissue macrophages) in the absence of any known stimulus.  
Cutaneous histiocytomas are common in dogs and rare in goats and cattle; it is debatable whether they are found in cats. Strong immunohistochemical evidence suggests that in dogs they are derived from Langerhans (intraepidermal antigen processing) cells. These tumors are typically seen in dogs <3.5 yr old but can occur at any age. English Bulldogs, Scottish Terriers, Greyhounds, Boxers, and Boston Terriers are most at risk. The head (including the pinnae) and limbs are the most common sites of involvement, where the tumors appear as solitary, raised, generally ulcerated nodules that are freely movable. Although a common neoplasm, histiocytomas are not always easy to diagnose histologically and can be confused with granulomatous inflammation, mast cell tumors, plasmacytomas, and cutaneous lymphosarcomas. Canine histiocytomas should be considered benign, and most resolve spontaneously within 2-3 mo without treatment. Surgical excision is optional once the diagnosis is established (which can often be made via cytology)".  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  

  


  

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & welcome....The Vet will answer your question before long...In the mean time, come over to the "Dog Community" and post your question there, too......Take care, Karla