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.
Please do not squeeze them.
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 and/or irrigation.
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
sebatious, sebacious
Thank you in advance. I have a 10 yo basset hound. A year ago, he had a large soft cyst grow midway down his tail, and it is now 5 cm in diameter. I brought him in for an aspirate and they said the cells are benign, which is a relief. The vet said they can observe it but are concerned it could one day obstruct the blood supply to his tail tip. I asked if they could try to draw out as much fluid as possible during his last dental cleaning, but they later said the fluid was incredibly thick. I just guessed after a lot of online googling that this might be a sebaceous cyst, but I don’t recall them actually calling it this (just that it’s benign). Are there other benign cysts I should be concerned about… is it normal for them to get do big? How will I know when it is so big he needs surgery to remove it? Could it wait until his next annual check up and dental for reevaluation? I was going to do that, but then read some awful stories of them opening up on other dogs and getting infected.
“What to do?” What a loaded question. Here’s how to think about it. 1, truly cystic structures are usually benign. 2, the tail has little “extra” skin for excision, therefore, if the mass gets much bigger, when the surgeon tries to excise it, there may not be enough skin to close the surgical defect. 3, your dog is 10 years old. Bassets are not a long-lived breed. It MAY not cause problems in his lifetime. 4, IF it does, and it’s too big for excision and closure, the tail could be removed proximal to the mass. It’s not ideal, but, it allows you to wait-and-see and possibly avoid a surgery that never is required. Please feel free to let me know if you have more questions and thanks for reading MyPetsDoctor.com.
My cat is 18 yrs old. His face cyst ruptured, and in about a day, it’s filled up again (even bigger) and getting more red.
He’s a healthy guy otherwise.
What are his chances of surviving removal?
Thanks so much,
Deb
That would be a question for his doctor.