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by Nancy

My little Louie is now ten years old and over the past year or so has been getting small skin tag type growths on his head and back. The vet says they are common and not to worry unless they bleed or get large. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Also, "little" Louie weighs about 10 lbs and the vet says that this is ok for this breed, he is not overweight (always averaged 8 lbs. when he was younger). Other than the skin tags he is in good health.

DISCUSSION:

Nancy, my Maltese is also going on 10 years old. No, she doesn't have any skin tags but I think that is quite characteristic on an older dog. ( My sister's older dog has them) I was wondering...does Louie sleep alot and is he playful? Any bladder problems?
-Marilyn

My Maltese, Chico, just passed away on Tuesday at the age of 16. For all it's worth he had the growths too for 3 years or so. The vet also told me unless they grew or got fluid in them they were not harmful. It's very common in an older dog. He did get one that got about as big as a golfball and had to have it removed. He did fine. It was not malignant. So keep watch over them. Good Luck.
-Libby95

Glad to hear that there hasn't been any terribly negative consequence re: the skin tags. Louie is pretty playful, but he also does like to sleep a bit (and snore!). He doesn't have any bladder problems thankfully. Anything special I need to know?
-Nancy

Our Maltese Tootsie started developing these at the age of 10.She is now 13 years old, and the largest are the size of pea's.They don't seem to bother her at all. We keep her clipped short and it becomes a chore at grooming time.
-Greg Haminger