English Bulldog Skin growth

Question
I have a 10 year old English Bulldog and she is very healthy except for this weird growth on her nipple... I've had her vet look at it and they said it's benign but they still want to remove it! She's had it for nearly 3 years and it's gotten stinky but it went away and this morning she woke up and rolled around on the carpet and I noticed it was bloody! She had the blood on her hind paw so she must have been scratching it... is there any thing I could put on just the growth to make it dye and fall off? She's so old I don't want the vet to have to put her down in order to do the surgery! She doesn't seem like it bothers her except for the fact that this morning she scratched it bloody! Please help!

Answer
Hi Christin,

If the vet says that the tumor is benign, and surgery is not an option (which I don't blame you in the least, then I would monitor the growth.  First, ensure that there is no infection from her possible scratching.  Also, try to notice if it is giving her discomfort, such as itching.  If so, an over the counter itch or pain cream might provide some comfort.  There are creams that contain benzocaine, which is a topical anesthetic, similar to what a dentist puts on your gums prior to the novacaine injection.

This won't "kill" the growth, though will hopefully make it more tolerable for her.  As far as "killing" the growth, I know of no safe over the cunter way to do that.

See if that helps.  I, too, feel that 10years old is too old to put a dog under for something that is benign.

Good luck,
Stephen