Sebaceous Cysts In Dogs And Cats
Sebaceous cysts are interesting structures.
All pores and hair follicles in the skin are surrounded by microscopic oil glands. These glands produce the oil that makes our pets’ hair (and our own hair) shiny, as well as producing a protective and moisturizing layer for the hair and skin. This oil is called sebum.
Sebaceous cysts occur when a normal pore or hair follicle becomes occluded. Occlusion can occur from dirt, infection, scar tissue or even normal sebum that becomes too thick to move out of the pore’s opening.
As long as the cysts are small, closed and intact they cause no problems.
Sebaceous cysts become problematic when they burst and become open to the outside world again. Frequently then they become infected and must be removed surgically. Surgical removal becomes necessary when the cyst will not heal with topical and systemic antibiotics.
Sebaceous cysts may also rupture under the skin and spill their oily contents into the surrounding tissues. The result is an intense inflammation causing a red, itchy area the pet is likely to lick, scratch and rub. These lesions may even be confused with a lick granuloma because both are highly inflamed and very itchy.
Early sebaceous cysts are usually white, raised and quiet-looking. As long as they stay in this phase they require no medical treatment.
It is when complications occur and they become inflamed that medical and/or surgical attention is needed for sebaceous cysts.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
MMSEBCYST
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89 Comments to “Sebaceous Cysts In Dogs And Cats”
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Hi. I have an American bulldog she has had a bump on her back right leg for about 6 months now. About 1 week ago the bump grew over night to the size of a golf ball. The next day there was something white sticking out, so we squeezed it and very thick white stuff came out. It’s been about 7 days now and the bump has gotten a little smaller but turned bright red and white goo is still coming out. It doesn’t bother her, she just licks it all the time. What should we do?
My 3 year old Siberian Husky has a sebaceous cyst (diagnosed by 2 different veterinarians) it started off a pea size, about 6 months ago and grew to an inch wide, by an inch and a half tall. it burst a week ago (what a mess!). Now it is an open hole and I can see the large cyst inside of it. He goes in for surgery on Monday, and I’m wondering if he will need an Elizabethan collar (cone) (it’s on his head in the middle, just behind his ears). It is itchy as heck, and we’ve trained him not to scratch it. Does he need an E-collar? If so, how long until it can come off so he can sleep, eat, and drink? How long does it normally take until 6 stitches can come out?
Actually, Audrey, it’s not unusual for damaged skin to produce hair that is different in color than it used to be. Sometimes the color change is permanent, sometimes temporary. Only time will tell, there are no good prognosticating factors for determining that. I’m delighted that Lucy is growing hair, it’s a very good sign. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
Hello Dr. Randolph, Thank you for your response on 10/9. I took a VERY, VERY good look at Lucy’s spot, this past weekend. Her skin is normal in color & I don’t think the hair follicles were damaged because the “spot” is actually reddish brown hair! The hair looks like what she had when she was a puppy, just a little thinner in texture. Lucy was born with “brindle” coloring, but as she’s gotten older, has lightened up quite a bit. I find it strange that her hair would grow in with that coloring, don’t you?
Audrey ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/itty-bittys-first-birthday-party ), the dark area you see may very well be bruising, but more likely it is pigment the body has put into the area to protect the skin, secondary to the inflammation and exposure of hairlessness. It may or may not go away. Hair will regrow if the hair follicles are not damaged. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
Hello, I have a 4 yr. old Shih-Tzu, Lucy. She had an oozing lump on her back, the veterinarian said that it was a sebeceous cyst. The day after I took her to the veterinarian, the cyst erupted, my daughter squeezed all the goop out and I purchased antibiotics for Lucy. That was about 3 months ago, so far no cysts have come back and the hole is healed, but there’s a REALLY darkened spot where the cyst was. My questions are: Is the black or darkened spot, a bruise from being pinched? Will it go away & will she grow hair back in that spot? Thank you for your time!
Stephen, yours is an interesting question. I’ve never seen a report of an effort to prevent sebaceous cysts. As you read in the article, it is a matter of pores and hair follicles stopping up. I suppose it might be worthwhile to begin a regimen of benzoyl peroxide shampooing for its follicular flushing action ( shampoo technique: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/pet-bathing-technique-and-frequency ) (information about shampoo: (FFA explained: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/treat-skin-infections-with-medicated-shampoo ). However, that isn’t going to help a sebaceous cyst that has already formed. I’m assuming the cyst is very close to the body end of the tail, and that’s why your pet’s doctor has implied there coulc be complications. Just to be clear, are you sure the doctor said sebaceous cyst and not warts? It is much more common for warts to cause problems with bleeding. Read about warts in dogs here: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/dog-wart . Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
Stephen, yours is an interesting question. I’ve never seen a report of an effort to prevent sebaceous cysts. As you read in the article, it is a matter of pores and hair follicles stopping up. I suppose it might be worthwhile to begin a regimen of benzoyl peroxide shampooing for its follicular flushing action ( shampoo technique: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/pet-bathing-technique-and-frequency ) (information about shampoo: (FFA explained: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/treat-skin-infections-with-medicated-shampoo ). However, that isn’t going to help a sebaceous cyst that has already formed. I’m assuming the cyst is very close to the body end of the tail, and that’s why your pet’s doctor has implied there coulc be complications. Just to be clear, are you sure the doctor said sebaceous cyst and not warts? It is much more common for warts to cause problems with bleeding. Read about warts in dogs here: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/dog-wart . Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
We have a 14 year old poodle who keeps developing sebaceous cysts. The first noticeable was one on her head that bled until removed. She seems to have them pretty much all over, but it is worse on her tail, and whenever we remove her cone collar, she chews it and causes it to bleed. Our veterinarian says that the next step is removal of her tail, which may have severe complications. Is there any way to deal with the underlying problem of why she is getting all of these cysts and possibly avoid the risks and expense of the tail removal?
Our 14 year old poodle has developed a number of sebaceous cysts. One on her head began bleeding and was removed. The most problematic one is on her tail. It has been infected a number of times and ends up a bloody mess any time we leave her cone collar off. This has now been going on for about 6 months. Our veterinarian has said that the only way to solve the problem is to remove her tail, and that he is concerned that this might create more complications. (Not to mention the cost).
The poor dog is developing cysts pretty much everywhere. Is there any holistic approach to deal with the underlying problem causing the buildup of these cysts, like changing diet?
Thanks for the info Dr Randolph, she is coming along. Kiana is a big girl but she is not overweight at all. Her parents and grandparents were large. She just kept on growing and finally stopped at 150#. She is a true beauty hailing back to the M’loots of old. The Alaskan Natives know exactly what she is when they see her.
Kim, I can’t say I’ve had experience with ruptured hair follicles, but any source of inflammation can be slow to heal and respond only to surgical removal. You don’t mention how long ago the surgery was, but with painful, invasive surgery it can take weeks to return to full, normal function. Swelling is common after surgery, but it shouldn’t last too long. If you are concerned that too much time has passed and that your dog should be further along in healing, call to schedule a followup examination so that the doctor can address any question you have and issues your dog may or may not have. You should never hesitate to call on your veterinarian in times like this: http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/ask-questions-of-your-pets-doctor . Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
BTW: 150# sounds like a LOT for a female Malamute to weigh. Has your pet’s doctor recommended weight loss for her?
I have 150lb female Malamute that has been limping for about a year. After numerous trips to the Veterinarian they finally removed a large ruptured hair follicle (that’s how it was described) from between her toes on her front left leg. She has been given antibiotics and medicine for a yeast infection. I have brought up the fact that she has virtually licked off the fur from that toe and the toe still appears to be swollen on the toe pad. Is this typical of ruptured hair follicles?
If Walt had a reaction to the ointment it would have been a local reaction most likely, redness and swelling around the cyst site. Ingestion of triple antibiotic ointment wouldn’t likely be a problem. If there is anything serious it should show up in the preanesthesia laboratory testing [http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/preanesthesia-laboratory-testing ]. Still, be sure to mention it to your pet’s doctor when you go in. Please keep us posted on Walt’s progress and let us know how the surgery went. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
My poor little Walt is yet another sebaceous cyst sufferer. The one on his shoulder burst yesterday. It’s about the size of a dime. I cleaned it out with a little peroxide and the only other thing I had available to me was some triple antibiotic ointment so I put a bit on. Tonight when I got home from work around 7:30 pm he seemed a bit lethargic so I called the veterinarian and they had some scrub that they advised I wash it with twice a day until we can get it removed (he has a slight heart murmur that must be tested before they can place him under anesthesia). However, prior to even using the wash, I got home to find him a little lethargic. I’m worried that this may be some side effect of the ointment – an allergic reaction or maybe it was too open of a wound and the ointment shouldn’t have been used? Or worse, could he have ingested some? Or do you think it is more likely that an infection is brewing causing the lethargy? If he remains this way they said that I can bring him in tomorrow which I will most likely do, but I just want to set my mind at ease with regards to what may be causing it. Yesterday he’d barely let me get near it after it ruptured – especially if I was trying to clean it, which seems a normal reaction to me. However, as of a few hours ago (once the lethargy set in) he just seems very non-reactionary when I try to clean it. Thanks!
There’s just nothing like the peace of mind of knowing that everything’s going to be ok. You just can’t put a dollar amount on that. I’m so glad your baby is all right, Dr. Randolph.
I took my shep in to the veterinarian today, and the veterinarian actually squeezed the sebum out of another cyst that had developed next to the original one. I told him what happened and he said not to worry and gave us a prescription for some antibiotics. He said that there would not be a terrible wound from the cyst bursting internally, but that the dog would possibly have slight pain and be lethargic for a couple days until the antibiotic works. There is a small possibility that the antibiotic will not work, but we won’t know unless the bump has not gone away within two weeks. I am very relieved to have had him seen.
“How will I know when to take him to the veterinarian?” Rob, you just got your chance. Notice that one of the main points I make in the article is that as long as the sebaceous cyst stays CLOSED it usually doesn’t cause any problems. By squeezing them, you open them and bacteria can invade the inside and cause an infection. However, you’ve created a different situation with the one that “seemingly ruptured internally.” Now, that area has sebum “loose” in the subcutaneous tissues, which the body will perceive as “foreign” (despite the fact that the body MADE it.) There will be an intense inflammatory response and a horrible wound. The sooner you take your Shepherd into the doctor the fewer complications there will be. Best wishes and please write back so we can all know what transpired. Dr. Randolph.
Rachael, there is no way I can tell you what’s wrong with your kitty, but she certainly needs to go see your veterinarian based on “a hole or sore in there” with “a thick creamy substance came out it was quite alot coming out.” Please write back and let us know what your pet’s doctor says. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
I have a German Shepherd that is prone to cysts. Normally I can get them to go away by squeezing the cheese out of them, but today I tried to squeeze one and it seemingly ruptured internally. He isn’t showing any signs of being uncomfortable, but is there a risk of developing sepsis from this? How will I know when to take him to the veterinarian? Thanks Doctor.
Hi. I have a two year old white cat. I have noticed just today that she had a small lump on her chest. It felt smooth until I looked at it. It was a bit crispy and was sticking out of her skin so I pulled it out and then noticed somthing else was there then squeezed it and a thick creamy substance came out it was quite alot coming out. Then it looked liked she had a hole or sore there.
Brandy, as I’m sure you read on the post, these things almost never get better for me with anything less than surgery. The Neosporin is not going to hurt, but I can’t recommend beginning oral antibiotics. That would be a call for your local veterinarian. In several posts, including this one ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/leftover-medication-burns-a-dogs-eye ), I have discussed the importance of giving medication until ALL is gone, as well as the dangers of using other pets’ medications. Local anesthetics can be used for VERY small lesions that can be removed with a punch biopsy, but this one doesn’t sound like it’s anywhere near small enough for that. However, discuss it with your pet’s doctor and see what he says. Another consideration is to reduce the amount of preanesthetic medications. These are more likely to cause postoperative “coming out” difficulties than the general. I’m confident you and your Basset will both be happier once this thing is removed. To see a sebaceous cyst from the inside go to http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/photos-of-the-insides-of-sebaceous-cysts. Let us know how she does during and after surgery. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
I have a 6 year old Basset Hound with one of these sebaceous cysts on her back. It broke open and we got about an inch of thick gross stuff out. We took her to the veterinarian and he did some additional cleaning and it stopped oozing. It continued to be there though and grew this gross red “cyst bag” all around it. But, it didn’t seem to be oozing or anything for a long time. It also has never seemed to bother her or cause her any pain.
Well, two weeks ago, it broke again. I cleaned it and it dried up again. Yesterday, it broke open again, and now I know we are going to have to have this thing surgically removed. She has a veterinarian appointment for Tuesday, then we will discuss surgery.
My question is this though – my Basset does not do well under anesthesia. She has undergone anesthesia twice in her life and had a difficult time coming out of it both times. That is why I have been reluctant to do surgery on this. Can these cysts be removed by sedating her and doing a local anesthetic? If I am sitting with my Basset and holding her face, she is VERY good and lets the veterinarians do anything they want to her. So, I am just wondering if doing a local is even an option with these cysts?
Also, my mom has a prescription of Cephalexin antibiotics that she never used on her Shar Pei (of equal weight as my Basset). Since I couldn’t get an appointment for my Basset until Tuesday late afternoon, should I start her on antibiotics using the Cephalexin that my mom has? Normally, I would never do this, but I just want to make sure we don’t get an infection before the veterinarian appointment. I am cleaning it each day and putting Neosporin on it, but was just wondering about the oral antibiotics. Thank you so much!!
Michelle, 5 cm is TWO INCHES. Is the mass really that big? I can’t recall having ever seen a sebaceous cyst that large. I would certainly have my pet’s doctor evaluating it, possibly performing Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and/or surgical excision on it. http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/how-veterinary-oncolology-cases-worked-up. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
Jennifer, here are my thoughts. There is a reason what we do is called “the art of practice,” because there is more than one way to approach various cases. Keep in mind that I haven’t seen your pet OR the cyst, so I can’t make specific recommendations. First, your pet’s doctor has made his suggestion to remove the growth based on his examination, test results and experience. That carries a LOT of weight for me. He wanted that thing off fora reason! Second, I don’t remove sebaceous cysts if they are small and intact. ANY opening to the outside, however (indicated by a hole or drainage) will predispose the lesion to infectious bacteria from the outside world, and I’ve had almost NO success getting those to heal without surgically removing them. So, infection or bursting, either one will exhibit an opening and will clearly indicate it’s time to remove it. Third, size is a HUGE factor in parts of the body where there is limited skin to close a surgical defect. The face and nose are such places, so waiting MIGHT allow the cyst to become big enough that a surgical specialist is needed to remove it anc be able to close the resulting defect. Best wishes, Dr. Randolph.
I have a 13 yr old cat, previously healthy, no significant past or present medical history. I discovered a 5cm closed cyst on her one hindquarter. It does not affect her mobility, she is able to lie on that side, and no other changes are noted. I think it is a sebaceous cyst but wondering if I should treat it or just leave it and monitor it? It has not grown in size over the last few weeks. Thanks
Hi! I have a two year old Austrailian Shepherd/Husky mix. A couple of months ago I noticed a growth on his muzzle and we brought it to the attention of our veterinarian. They tested it and determined that it is a sebaceous cyst. Our veterinarian, of course, was pushing that we have it removed…at about $800. After talking to friends that are veterinarian techs and doing some research, I am comfortable with not having the surgery done…as long as it doesn’t become infected or burst. My questions are these: is there a size that is too big and will it be obvious if it becomes infected (I think I would be able to tell if it bursts)? I am just concerned…we adopted him in August and he has quickly become a very important part of our family and I worry about him.
Your pet’s doctor would be the best person to answer this specifically, as he has examined your pet and knows the history of the cyst. As I mentioned in the post, most of the ones that open eventually need to be surgically removed. As an educated opinion I’d say if it hasn’t responded to Neosporin in two weeks, go ahead and make arrangements for preanesthetic testing and surgery.
My dog has a ruptured sebaceous gland (now twice) and will probably need to have it out. My veterinarian said for now to put Neosporin on it to see if that will clear it up. It doesn’t seem to bother her, but looks really awful to me. My question is: how long do I keep putting Neosporin on it? Since it is open, wouldn’t it just continue to be (for lack of a better word) “gooey”? Aren’t I supposed to let it dry up at some point? I have been cleaning out the “goo” daily-is this good or bad? Thanks!
Thank you for your question, Jenn. The spinal cord is protected by bone that surrounds it, so neither the cord nor the bones are affected by the size of the cyst. For a sebaceous cyst to become this size there is usually leakage of sebum into the surrounding tissues, generating an inflammatory response which causes the swelling. The only problem with hot compresses is that the lesion may open, become infected and then you have a real mess on your hands, because the doctor is then faced with removing an infected lesion. Of course, I haven’t seen your pet, but I would be inclined to want to remove the mass before it gets bigger AND your pet gets older.
Dear Michelle,
You must have had a previous experience with mast cell tumor to be concerned with it. As I stated in this post ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/veterinary-pathology-professor-frightens-enlightens-students ), it’s impossible for anyone to look at a mass and know for certain what it is. That said, your pet’s doctor must be pretty darn certain that the lesion you’re concerned about is not anything dangerous, or he would have suggested being more aggressive with diagnostics.
Mast cell tumors, in my experience, can be one of the real tricksters of practice. I once had a patient I sent to a specialty practice to have a board-certified surgeon remove a mass, simply because it was located in an area of a leg that was going to be difficult to remove without affecting vital structures. When the pet arrived they assigned him to the Oncology service and the oncologist told me, in her followup phone call, “I knew it was a mast cell tumor as soon as I saw it.” To me, even with 28 years of practice (then) I thought it looked like a nothing mass simply located in a bad place.
You know, of course, that you have the option for your veterinarian to perform Cytology ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/dictionary ), Fine Needle Aspirate ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/how-veterinary-oncolology-cases-worked-up ), or even surgical removal of the mass if it concerns you. Of course, if general anesthesia is to be involved you will have pre-anesthesia laboratory tests performed first, followed by the procedure.
Please write back and let us know how you proceed and what the findings are.
Best wishes,
Dr. Randolph
My 9 year old Shih Tzu is prone to sebaceous cysts. He had one on his shoulder for a few months. It burst and I cleaned it up with Geri stat soap. I squeezed out some whitish fluid but it was not as easily cleaned out as others that he has had were. The following week it was a bit puffy and when cleaned more whitish fluid came out. It stayed small for a few weeks then got a little bigger then disappeared. My veterinarian said that it was just a cyst but I am worried about a mast cell tumor.
My 7 year old boxer mix has a sebaceous cyst on his back. A year ago a fine needle aspiration was done to remove some fluid and to find out if was actually was a sebaceous cyst. It it about the size of a golf ball now, and I wonder if it’s putting pressure on his spine. Anything I can do at home before my next veterinarian visit to perhaps alleviate the size? I’ve heard that hot compresses work. I know it won’t completely disappear, I’d just like to have it shrink a little. Thanks.
Joanne, sebaceous cyst formation is pretty random. As I said in the post, the ones that aren’t infected or bleeding I leave alone. The ones that become inflamed from infection or other causes I remove. You were wise to request a pathologist’s evaluation of the mass, as we certainly can’t tell with the naked eye what masses are.
June, the MOST likely cause (among MANY possible causes) is that the surgery site just hasn’t finished healing when some kind of pressure or tension occurred there, maybe from playing too hard, jumping onto furniture, etc. As to removing all of the abnormal tissue the pathologist usually addresses “clear or unclear margins” in the report, so if the pathology report was good, there probably was no abnormal tissue left behind. Worst case scenario is probably a resuture or pop a surgical staple or two into the site if it fails to heal.
My miniature schnauzer had a ruptured cyst surgically removed 6 weeks ago after antibiotics didn’t work. A biopsy was done, the cyst was benign. However, just recently, a small section of where the suture was, opened up and bled a little bit. I took him to the veterinarian and he prescribed an antibiotic ointment (Tri-Otic) for 10 days and see if it heals by then. I am a bit worried as to why the suture would open up again after 6 weeks….could it be that they didn’t remove all of the infected cyst during surgery? Thanks for your insight.
Hi! My 5 year old chihuahua recently developed a pea-sized bump on her leg. I took her to the veterinarian and they assumed that it was a sebaceous cyst based on the needle aspiration. Since they didn’t seem 100% positive about this, I asked them to go ahead and remove it for biopsy. The results came in today and it was in fact a sebaceous cyst. My veterinarian says that dogs that get these are prone to them and she may get one or more again in the future. My question is, if you don’t have it removed like I did this time, will it ever go away by itself? If so, how long would it usually take? Thank you for your time and the informative article.
There is no prevention for sebaceous cysts, though sebaceous cysts are not the only kinds of cysts that occur in dogs, we will assume that sebaceous cysts are what your dog has. Bathing frequency is not determined by breed, but by degree of cleanliness, dermatologic health and owners’ personal preference. In general, dogs should be bathed when they are dirty, unless they have a dermatologic problem that necessitates more frequent bathing for medical reasons. Some people are more sensitive to “doggy odor,” which is actually the odor given off when oils on the skin become rancid. These owners can bathe their dogs more frequently IF they use a moisturizing shampoo such as Sebolux, followed by a humectant (moisture trap) such as Humilac. As to the cause, it is not excessive oil on the pet’s skin, but, (quoting from the Article on Sebaceous Cysts) “Sebaceous cysts occur when a normal pore or hair follicle becomes occluded. Occlusion can occur from dirt, infection, scar tissue or even normal sebum that becomes too thick to move out of the pore’s opening.”
Nicole, as stated in our post on sebaceous cysts ( http://www.mypetsdoctor.com/sebaceous-cysts-dogs-cats ), they typically do not require treatment unless they become infected. Infection usually doesn’t occur unless they rupture. Please keep in mind, however, that sebaceous cysts are not the only kind of cysts that dogs and cats get. Therefore, if she develops lesions that are large, that drain or that are itchy, you have no choice but to see your pet’s doctor. Small sebaceous cysts are not something she has to see the veterinarian for if they are uncomplicated. Also as stated in the article, complicated sebaceous cysts are best treated with surgical removal.
Hi. My 5 year old German Shepherd has been diagnosed with cysts, she has 5 at the moment. When I first discovered them she had 3, two of which have now burst (one was a hair follicle and the other was full of a cheese-like substance). Then, a month later, I found a fourth. It’s an ordeal for my dog and me to go to the veterinarian’s as she is terrified of the veterinarian, and taking a large dog weighting 46Kg (that’s 101 pounds for us Yanks) to the veterinarian’s is no fun. I’m just wondering if there is anything I can do without a visit to the veterinarian’s(unless its serious). Is this something that she will have to live with for the rest of her life?
Sebaceous cysts that have been surgically removed cannot “return,” after they have been excised, but new ones can certainly appear. Sebaceous cysts are not painful. Typically they don’t get to be very large. Have any of the removed ones been sent for histopathology to be sure exactly what they are? IF, in fact, they are sebaceous cysts AND she is not bothered by them there is no need to remove them. HOWEVER, if they are some other type of growth the answer might change.
Our 13 year old Shih Tzu is prone to sebaceous cysts. We have had some removed but the veterinarian says they will only return. They start out as small bumps and fill with fluid. They can get huge and last for months. My question is are these dangerous or painful for her? I do not want to keep putting her under anesthesia at her age to have them removed if it is not necessary. She doesn’t seem to be affected by them. She leaves them alone and doesn’t chew or pick at them.
Cathleen, there is no way for a doctor to know the answer to your question without actually seeing your pet. There are two main scenarios: 1) if it is simply a cyst or benign growth, it’s not going to hurt to wait two weeks. 2) if it is a cancerous (malignant) growth, it could spread in two weeks and be life-threatening. I would do whatever I had to do to get my pet in to see the doctor right away.
I have a year and a half year old dog that has what we’re thinking is a cyst on her back leg. It’s about a marble size and it’s red. It doesn’t seem to hurt her when I press on it but she licks it occasionally. We can’t get her to a veterinarian in any time soon (probably in 2 weeks) so I was just wondering if this is an emergency and needs immediate medical attention.
Thanks for your time and insight,
Cathleen
Crystal, this could be any one of a jillion conditions, but in a 6-month-old it’s unlikely to be life-threatening. Go ahead and call your pet’s doctor for an appointment and get it checked out. It’s not something we can diagnose over the Internet. Write back when you get a diagnosis so we can know, too.
Thanks for reading,
Dr. Randolph
My 6 month old pup has a dime size lump behind her ear. She just got it about a week ago I think, but its one size and I would have thought I would have noticed it before. It’s real red and bleeds alot when my other dog licks it to clean it?
Just wanted to get some expert advice before we take her to the veterinarian.
Thank you for your time
Crystal
In order to answer these questions I would need a copy of the Histopathology report. If the doctor is sending the tissue he removed to a pathologist we know exactly what tissue makes up the “bumps.” If he didn’t send the tissue out either time we will have a hard preventing future “bumps” because we won’t know exactly what they are. If you can transcribe the report into an email for me, or scan it and send it as an attachment I’ll be happy to look it over.
Best wishes,
Dr. Randolph
My name is Hannah, and I have a 5 year old pitbull/ boxer. She had a large bump a while back that she had surgery on; the doctor said it was a cyst. Well four more bumps came upon her body near where the scar from her last surgery was. What should we do? They are sending her in for sugery tody, but what if it keeps occuring? No we do not know if its another cyst, but we’re pretty sure it is. Thankyou, Hannah
You’ve asked two questions, one medical, one not. Conformation, show-dog rules, etc., have nothing to do with medical conditions and would have to be posed to a show-dog-rule expert.
The bumps, on the other hand, are a matter for a medical expert. Unfortunately I can’t identify them from a description, and any bump needs a good evaluation by your pet’s doctor. After all, it could be cancer or infection and we wouldn’t want to take a chance with his health, much less his future fame. Please write back and let me know what the doctor says.
Thank you for your question,
Dr. Randolph.
I have a red longhaired standard dachshund, 9 months old. He is first a pet, but he is also a show dog working toward confirmation. He is six points away. He has developed two pea sized knots that are covered with fur just above his nose on his muzzle. My question is if these bumps could affect his becoming confirmed. They started small and looked like two tiny white spots. As they became large (just over a couple of days) they weere no longer white. In fact you cannot see what they look like because they are covered with fur. They do not appear to be hurting him. I have been reading about canine acne, warts and sebaceous cysts. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, Susan Gibbs