Growth on Dog's Snout

by Eric
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Picture taken 02/28

My dog May 2012

In September my dog had a growth removed which was located well below the growth in these pictures on his face. I decided to have it removed because it burst and was prone to repeated infections.

I did not send the growth in for a histopath--He's grown many lumps and bumps over the years, which have generally been explained as fatty tissue, etc.

Shortly after the removal of the 'other' growth, the one in these photos formed (the position of the removed growth was on his face, but lower); although it had my attention, it was only this morning when I noticed that the area appeared soiled and the growth itself is somewhat larger than months ago. I wiped it down and removed some blood. I cleaned the area with hydrogen peroxide and have applied POLYSPORIN to the area twice. My dog does not appear irritated by it.

My dog's stats:

Male
Collie/Husky Cross
15 years old this coming May 2013
71.5lbs.

His daily health regimen is as follows:

2 CUPS WELLNESS "Healthy Weight" dry food
Vitamin E: 200IU
Selenium: 50mcg
Vitamin C: 250mg
"DGP" (Main ingredient: Marine Collagen): 2 tablets
HEMP OIL: 1 tbsp
the odd treat I give him
the odd 'treat' he finds himself(outside in the garbage)

Please explain to me what this growth appears to be, what I can do about it holistically, and any other information that will help me do the next right thing.

Thank you very much!

Comments for Growth on Dog's Snout

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Mar 02, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Eric,

I am not sure how much advice you need from me, since you have certainly been doing something right for your dog to live to be 15 years old!! From the photos you took of this growth, it appears to be a benign wart common to older dogs.

In this case, I suspect it has merely started to drain, (some warts will do that if closely associated with an oil gland in the skin). Your treatment of cleaning the area, and applying an antibiotic ointment is a good temporary 'fix'. You might consider using Thuya ointment. Thuya comes from the white cedar, and is a homeopathic remedy useful in treating warts. You can apply it one to two times daily for 3-6 weeks. Warts will either shrink to a smaller size, or in some cases disappear completely.

As for diet and supplements, Wellness is an excellent food. The only suggestion I have is to add 1-2 TBSP of raw meat in to the dry. (NO RAW PORK OR RAW FISH). Raw chicken, turkey, beef or lamb would be fine. There are naturally occurring Vitamin C, enzymes and amino acids in raw meat, that are destroyed when meat is heated, pressurized and cooked.

Hopefully, you have stopped giving him any vaccines! Vaccinations are considered to contribute to the formation of warts, growths and cancers. A holistic veterinarian can help write an exemption form.

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Mar 07, 2013

Follow up to Growth on Snout advice
by: Anonymous

Dr. Tillman,

Thanks for the feedback and resulting peace of mind. I've already spent thousands on vet bills this year.

Please clarify how I choose the correct Thuja ointment to treat this wart, as I'm not sure what dosage and what to look for. If ointment, how many grams will suffice for this 3-6 week period?

I want to start with homeopathic remedies. I found Thuja in 'pellet' form, along as "30c", "9c", etc. What do these numbers mean and can this wart be treated by this oral method?

Sorry, I'm new to all this.

Appreciate the follow up.

Mar 07, 2013

Follow up to Growth on Snout advice
by: Eric

Dr. Tillman,

Thanks for the feedback and resulting peace of mind. I've already spent thousands on vet bills this year.

Please clarify how I choose the correct Thuja ointment to treat this wart, as I'm not sure what dosage and what to look for. If ointment, how many grams will suffice for this 3-6 week period?

I want to start with homeopathic remedies. I found Thuja in 'pellet' form, along as "30c", "9c", etc. What do these numbers mean and can this wart be treated by this oral method?

Sorry, I'm new to all this.

Appreciate the follow up.

Mar 07, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Eric,

The is an ointment.
I find it much easier to use the topical for initial treatment of a wart, when there are few or no other symptoms to prescribe on. Oral homeopathic remedies require a closer follow-up than I am able to do on the internet. Since it depends on the response of the patient, evaluating the need to increase the frequency of the remedy, or increase the potency, or change the remedy completely. In which case you need to find a holistic veterinarian close by.

In the meantime, apply the Thuya ointment one to two times daily for 3-6 weeks.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below
Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Mar 18, 2013

Follow up to wart treatment
by: Eric

Hi Dr. Tillman,

I purchased at the health store and have applied the following Thuja ointment to Theo's wart for the past week:

http://www.rockwellnutrition.com/cheliderm-cream-by-unda-seroyal.html

So far, I see little, if no, change. You recommended the ointment; however, the health store representative advised me that the ointment itself will not be sufficient, advising me to give him Thuja orally as well.

Will the oral Thuja be necessary and if so, what dose and how many pills do I give; or should I simply give the ointment more time to take its action? Also, what can I use to clean the area of the wart when reapplying the ointment?

Thanks in advance.

Mar 19, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Eric,

The product you purchased is a 'combination' of TWO herbs, thuya and calendula. From the description it does not appear that they are even homeopathic, since there is no potency listed.

Try this

Apply two times daily for 3-6 weeks. Clean with warm water and/or hydrogen peroxide in between applications as needed.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, it is too complicated to follow a case using oral homeopathic remedies when there are too few symptoms. Therefore, I suggested only the topical ointment. Or you could seek the help of a holistic veterinarian, that could examine your dog in person.

To find a holistic veterinarian in your area click on the link below

Click here to find a holistic veterinarian in your area. Another resource for vets knowledgeable in homeopathy is AVH.org.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Mar 27, 2013

Follow up
by: Eric

Dr. Tillman,

Thanks for your words. Have to say I'm disappointed that the Health store sold me this combination. It's been unsuccessful. And I can't find a Thuja ointment with a dosage, only those pellets; they don't have the 12c pellets and I have no idea how they work. And I'm concerned about all of the costs of going to a Holistic Vet or vet.

The other day the wart got quite red. I've been cleaning it with peroxide, applying the Polysporin, but I think it may be infected, as it is quite red.

Is my only option to get a traditional antibiotic if there's an infection, or can I somehow treat this wart naturally? I'm a bit confused how this holistic approach works.

I forked over about $450 to have a benign growth on my dog surgically removed and have no regrets; I figured that it would have cost me at least that much over the long run, as it would continue to 'burst' and be prone to continuous infection.

However, I don't have the resources to do this on a regular basis; currently this darn wart is in an area that may be difficult to keep clean also. Will I have to do the surgery for this one, too?

I've been giving my dog Vitamin E capsules daily for several years; However, today I decided to purchase Vitamin E in a bottle for the easy of administering it on this wart.

I've applied it but don't know if this will be ineffective as the area is red, perhaps infected.

When I douse the wart with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball, it picks up a little bit of blood.

I don't have bottomless pockets, so I want to do all I can to treat this myself. My understanding is that if there appears to be infection, it's time to go to the vet and get an antibiotic for it.

If possible, are there ways that I can treat this potential infection naturally, without antibiotics?

Or is it time to go to the vet?

Thx in advance.

Mar 27, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Eric,

No, I do not think it is time to go to the vet, at this time. If you have the oral Thuya pellets, I will explain what the potency means.

1X means the remedy is diluted 1/10
1C means the remedy is diluted 1/100
1M means the remedy is diluted 1/1,000

Therefore, a 'c' potency is MORE diluted than an 'x' potency. What this means, homeopathically, is that it is STRONGER, and will work more powerfully in the body.

If you have Thuya 9C and Thuya 30C, the 30C is stronger. Therefore if the wart may be infected, I would use the stronger potency. You can give the remedy either by dry pellet, (but do not touch the pellets with your fingers) pour one pellet into the cap of the container and then pour it into your dog's mouth. (Pull out his lower lip, and pour it in.)

Or, you can dissolve one pellet in Spring water and give it with an eye dropper. This method is usually much easier. Using a 1 or 2 oz glass eye dropper bottle, put one pellet into the bottle and add Spring water. Shake the bottle by hitting it against the palm of your hand, this is called succussing the remedy. Give your dog 1/2 dropperful 2 times daily for 3-4 days. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wart 2-3 times daily as needed.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Mar 30, 2013

Progress...I think
by: Eric

Hi Dr. Tillman,

Thanks for the directions. It's day 3 and I just gave his 2nd treatment of the day. The dose: 30CH

Because I'm simply going on faith--not understanding how this all works--appears that the irritation has gone away and a black scab is covering a lot of the wart area.

Not sure what this means, but for some reason it looks like it's working.

You suggested 3-4 days. What do I do after this? Should this scab fall off, along with the wart? And how long should I expect this wart to hang around?

If this works, it will really open my faith that this [mysterious] homeopathy could work on a lot more. Again, I'm just following directions, not really understanding how it all works :-)

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Apr 01, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

Hi Eric,

Now Easter Sunday, 3/31/13, you wrote,

"Now finished day 3 of Thuya 30 CH given two times daily, the irritation has gone away and a black scab is covering a lot of the wart area.

Not sure what this means, but for some reason it looks like it's working.

You suggested 3-4 days. What do I do after this? Should this scab fall off, along with the wart? And how long should I expect this wart to hang around?"

Now, stop the Thuya, and we wait. The scab may fall off with the wart, or it may just start shrinking and getting smaller, and the scab and wart will be gone.

Monitor the changes. If the 'response' starts to slow down, that is, the scab stays the same for several days or a week, then repeat ONE dose only of the Thuya 30CH. As I cannot tell the future, I am not sure how long this process may take. In some cases, a 30CH potency may last 3 weeks before you need to repeat or 3 months!

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

Apr 04, 2013

Follow up
by: Eric

Hi Dr. Tillman,

Following the 4 days treatment of the Thuja on April 1, the wart area seemed to look unirritated. I ceased treatment at this time as you suggested.

It's now April 4 and though the area still looks unirritated, it appears to be 'draining' again. For these last several days, I have not cleaned the area with Hydrogen Peroxide, as it looked [to me, a lay person] that the area was healing.

The wart looked like it was shrinking, but I think it looked this way because it wasn't inflamed and was surrounded with hair. Tonight, I moved hair out of the way and noted that the wart seems to be same size.

Tonight, I doused the wart with Hydrogen Peroxide and applied some Polysporin to the area. I also administered one more dose of the Thuja 30CH, as per the one last dose you suggested in a previous post.

If this one last dose doesn't clear it up, what does this mean and what to do next? Does this mean he may need a higher dose ie: 200C.

As I've said, I'm looking for as many natural ways to treat my dog, I appreciate your feedback, but I understand little about Homeopathy.

I suppose I'm wondering if--as suggested in a previous post about applying Thuja ointment--Why is it that that process would go for several weeks, while the 'pellet' process goes for just a few days?--Would it be ineffective to continue giving these pellets or would it undermine the healing process.

Thanks for sticking with me on this :-)

Apr 06, 2013

My Online Vet Response for: Growth on Dog's Snout
by: Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

April 6, 2013
Hi Eric,
Ok, you gave Thuya 30c for 4 days, and another dose on April 4.

The wart is not irritated, now draining, and seems to be the same size. You have cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide, and applied Polysporin.

NEXT STEP-
Wait. Do not re-dose for at least 3 weeks. Please clean it as needed with hydrogen peroxide, and keep the hair trimmed back. Do not use the Polysporin.

You wrote,
"Would it be ineffective to continue giving pellets or would it undermine the healing process?"

Yes, to continue to give another dose WILL interfere with the healing process that has already started. He has had a growth removed from his snout before, and now he has produced another one. We do not want it to increase in size, and it would be nice to have it shrink and/or disappear completely. At 15 years of age, I am not sure how strong his vital force will respond to the homeopathic remedy or how quickly he will respond.

Therefore, we need to proceed very slowly. Since it does not seem to be bothering him, we could wait longer than 3 weeks before considering a repeat of the 30c. It is much too soon to consider an increase in potency.

Remember we are working at the 'energetic' level when using homeopathic remedies. A good book to read for reference is by Timothy Dooley, M.D. 'Flat Earth Medicine' about how homeopathic medicine works.

Send us an update the first week of May.

Please keep us posted by coming back to this page and clicking the 'click here to add your own comments' link below.

Take care,
Dr. Carol Jean Tillman

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Related Pages:
- Dog Warts
- Dog Skin Conditions
- Ask a Vet Online Library - Dog Warts, Cysts and Strange Growths Section

DISCLAIMER: The above should never replace the advice of your local veterinarian, as they have the ability to evaluate your dog in person.

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