Pet with Purpose: Your guide to holistic pet care

We believe in empowering pet owners to take an active role in their furry friends’ well-being. This page provides resources and information on monitoring and treating common canine health issues, including skin conditions and soft tissue masses, using plant-based medicines like THC and CBD. Learn when you can confidently care for your pet at home and when it’s essential to seek professional veterinary guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your beloved companions.

Monitoring and Treating Skin Issues in Dogs

For minor skin issues such as red areas, lesions, wounds, bumps, ringworm spots, skin tags, or small masses, dog owners can apply THC or CBD FECO directly to the affected area and/or administer 5–20 drops of CBD per day (ideally using both approaches).

When to See a Veterinarian

  • If the condition does not improve within a couple of weeks or worsens after several days to a week.
  • If the skin appears severely inflamed or abnormal.
  • If additional symptoms appear, such as:
    • Anxiety
    • Panting
    • Lethargy
    • Pain or distress

Treating Soft Masses and Mast Cell Tumors

Mast cell tumors and soft masses are typically not highly aggressive but should be treated quickly with THC and CBD. However, any swollen lymph nodes or masses inside the mouth should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately, as they could indicate lymphoma or cause difficulty eating.

Guidelines for When to Seek Veterinary Care

  • Larger masses: Any lump approaching the size of a golf ball (1.5 inches or larger) warrants a veterinary visit.
  • Smaller lesions (0.5–1 inch): Masses the size of a marble, dime, or nut can often be monitored and treated at home before deciding if a vet visit is necessary.
  • Continuous growth: If a lesion is actively increasing in size, a veterinarian should be consulted.

Tracking Changes in Skin Issues

To monitor changes over time:

  • Take daily photos of the affected area.
  • Use high-resolution settings on your phone and ensure the image is in focus.
  • Save the images on your phone or computer (image files automatically save date information).
  • Organize the images by tagging them or placing them in a dedicated folder for easy comparison over time.

Reference Images & Resources

For additional visual guidance, refer to these resources on early detection, tumor types, and skin conditions in dogs:

Tumor & Skin Condition Examples

Mast Cell Tumors

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

For more information, visit trusted veterinary resources or consult your veterinarian for a professional diagnosis.