A little Four update. Since his tumor removal surgery when I first got him many months ago, I've been on the lookout for any new lumps and bumps. Daily massages that he loves cover the bases. Or so I thought. I always wondered why when any of the dogs brushed under his jaw that he kind of chattered his teeth and raised his head. I figured he didn't like his jaw touched, not totally unreasonable. And any time I am inspecting him and I get near his jaw, he does the same thing. I really just chalked it up to him not liking the area touched. You know how some dogs don't like their ears of feet touched?
Well tonight I found out why. It happened again as I was petting him on the couch. I don't know if I was looking in a different light but his lower jaw seems very slightly misshapen. So he had to tolerate me prodding around, which he didn't very well. There is some kind of mass there. It's not tumor like, it reminds me of scar tissue, it's pretty hard. And now it's very obvious to me why he doesn't like to be touched there, it's obviously painful for him. I feel like crap for not putting it together until now
We are obviously going in to have it checked out but if you guys could spare any extra good thoughts, we'd appreciate it. I know nothing of what this could be but because of his mast cell tumor diagnosis, I'm pretty worried.