Sally

Don't wait too long to get it checked out, as tumors can grow fast. My dog had a tumor, and she wasn't even 2 yet. Luckily it was benign. It will probably be fine, but it's best to find out. Good luck.

This happens with human babies too. I can't say I have checked for it with my dog. With my son, it took a fair while, maybe a couple of weeks to go away.

Wow, what a relief. Maybe she's not sick after all. I'll keep an eye on her, and if she seems well and everything, I might just get the vet to have a look when we go there next. I may get her groomed there, and ask them to have a peek . Thanks for your reassurance!

I've done some research. Apparently this can be caused by Alopecia x (also known as Black Skin Disease) which eventually results in hair loss, or hypothyroidism. I guess I'll be taking her to the vet. I think the vet must have jinxed us when he said that Maltese crosses are really healthy dogs, it seems to be one thing after another at the moment. Oh well, we love her, so we'll do our best for her.

Hi all, Recently I noticed my dog's tummy skin which is normally pink, had turned a dark, kind of grey colour. Now it's on most of her body, and has progressed to a dark grey/black colour. She has spent time sun baking lately. She is a white Maltese cross, and has recently had her hair cut short. Could it be from the sun???? The only other health issue she has had recently is a tumor at the top of her tail, which was benign, and went away on it's own. Has anyone else had this happen to their dog? Thanks!

wow it sounds like that was an expensive cyst. Great to hear your dog will be o.k.

The vet just called, he said the tumor is benign, and will go away on it's own. Yay! What a relief. He said that test showed it was partly necrotic, which means the tissue is dying as it regresses, and that's why she's been in so much pain. Poor thing. I'll keep up the pain killers, as it's still bothering her. Thanks for your support everyone.

My dog licked up a puddle of Round Up when I was weeding. I rang the poisons info line (meant for people). They said to give her some milk and call the vet. The vet said she should be fine, and she was.

Thanks Jodie. We're worried about her, and that fact that she's so distressed at the moment is stressing out the whole family. Are you talking about rescue remedy from the chemist? My Nan has some. Do you squirt it in their mouth? I'm going to call the vet first thing in the morning and see if I can get some pain killers or sedation for her. The lump is red raw. The vet scraped the top layer off the whole lump for some reason, and I think it gets rubbed every time she sits down. The poor thing is a wreck. I'm wondering if the fact that she's been in the pound before whe had her, and she's had a stressful life could have caused this tumor. I'll let you know how she gets on.

Just an update on my dog. After a week, and a course of antibiotics, her lump looked a bit bigger if anything. The vet did a biopsy on Friday, he said it is a tumor, but we need to wait for the lab results to know which kind. The vet had initially thought she was too young to have a tumor, but I guess she's unlucky. In the mean time, I've got a Buster collar on her, because she's constantly trying to get at her biopsy wound. She's so distressed with the collar on, that she's panting, but if I take it off, she's straight back at the wound. Does anyone know what I can do to help her distress?

Dru thankyou so much for your kind offer! I'm in Adelaide though. BittyMooPeeb your dog is SOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!!!!!!!! You do a great job with her hair. Thankyou for the advice.

Thanks for the info showdog. I've clipped my dog (with her on the washing machine) with my WAHL clippers for humans, and she was o.k with it. She did get a bit over it after a while, but with decent clippers, it should take less time. For a Maltese, can you use the clippers for their face? She didn't let me clip her face, but I had left that until last, when she'd had enough. I've tried using hairdressing scissors for her face, and I didn't really know what I was doing. She holds perfectly still though, even when I have trimmed her eyelashes (they grow a mile long and she needs them to be clipped so she can see better).

Hi all, I got my Maltese cross clipped at the groomer for the first time recently. I asked the girl not to clip her hair too short, as it's still pretty cold here at night, but now she needs clipping again after about 3 weeks. I'm thinking of buying some WAHL clippers, but don't know what length blade I need. I was thinking of leaving her hair 2.5cm long. What blade would that be? What blade do other Maltese owners use?

Poor Nan and Boss. I hope Nan feels a lot better in time.

I know she won't starve herself, but she just hates raw food. She lasted three days without eating when I tried the BARF, I'm worried how long she will go. The poor thing was so irritable because she was so hungry. I should be tough I know. She's still got this infected lump on her tail, so I'll try and build up the strength to be tough on her after she gets over that.

I have some WAHL clippers for cutting people's hair, and even though they are a really good brand, you can't use them for dogs. I've tried on my Maltese. I would go for WAHL dog clippers if I was going to buy some.

sandgrubber, that sounds like a good idea. Only problem is I don't have a cat (or another dog). I used to have 3 dogs, so I know the power of competition when it comes to feeding time. They'll eat anything just to spite the others LOL. NicoleL Yes I guess dogs are individuals, and some have strong preferences like people do. My dog is around 2 years old, and I got her as a rescue, so I don't know what she was fed in the past. Maybe if she was started on BARF from day one, she wouldn't have a problem. I can tell it would be a real up hill battle to force her to change now. She won't eat commercial canned or dry food unless she's really really hungry. Apparently she thinks BARF is even worse LOL. I'll talk to the vet about what to do. I'm glad your system is working for your dogs. They are really cute BTW. I've always wanted an apricot poodle.

I decided to not feed anything but the BARF until my dog was used to eating it. I've been feeling a bit unsure that the time is not right to do this, as she's on antibiotics for an infected bug bite, which doesn't seem to be healing. In hindsight I should have started the BARF after she was better, but when I first gave it to her, I thought she might actually like it. Anyway, she was absolutely starving, going crazy whenever there was a smell of food around this afternoon, as she had been on a hunger strike since Friday. I thought, now is the time to give her the BARF. I gave it to her, certain that she would eat it, but alas, she didn't. I was in a hurry, I should have warmed it a little, as that's how she likes her food. I have to admit I caved in and gave her some of the hokkien noodles and beef we had for tea. Once she smelled that it was what we had, she ate it, and now looks more satisfied that I've ever seen her. I know the healthiest food for her right now is the BARF, but she won't eat it, and I don't think I should starve her any more while she's supposed to be healing. I'll give it another go when this sore of hers is better. Thanks for your advice everyone.

Hi all, I've found a place in Adelaide that sells the BARF diet dog food, and was impressed with the list of ingredients. I bought some for my pooch, but as I predicted, she flat out refused to eat it. She only really wants to eat what we eat for tea, and certainly usually won't accept leftovers from the night before. I'm determined to take a stand though, as I think the BARF diet is better for her. Should I put some grated cheese or something through it? She actually prefers her meat cooked, but I know it's not what you're supposed to do with BARF. Any other ideas?

We're back from the vet. The vet said that it looks like an infected bite from an insect or spider. He gave her an anti inflammatory injection, and a course of antibiotics. If it doesn't clear in a week, he will do a biopsy in case it's something more to worry about. She's not licking or scratching, so at least it's not bothering her. Hopefully the antibiotics will work. Thanks everyone.

Thanks for your replies. We've got an appointment for this afternoon. I'm dragging along my 4 year old who has a temperature, and my 2 year old, so it's not going to be a fun trip, but hopefully we'll get some help. I'll let you know how we get on.

Ew that's weird about that one falling off. I can't see that happening with this one. I guess I'll have to see what the vet says. I have a feeling it's not really serious, and I'm just going to be paying money for nothing, but I guess I've got to do it. Thanks for your replies.

Hi, My Maltese has a lump at the top of her tail. It's hard, round about 1.5cm wide, and maybe 1cm high. It doesn't seem to be sore when I touch it. I've never had a dog with a lump before. Should I wait and see what happens, or should I get her to the vet? Thanks!

I had a puppy with this a long time ago. It didn't cause any problems, but the vet removed it when he desexed my dog. I probably wouldn't bother getting it removed if I had a dog with it now.

It would probably be good to spend some time doing work even for free as work experience to see if you even like it. That's what I'm thinking I might do one day. I get really dry hands, and I'm wondering if my hands could cope with all of the water and shampoo. Who is your groomer pepsi bt? I'm looking for a good one here in Adelaide to take my dog to.