Tell Me About Cysts

[Polgara's Shadow]

My father in law's lovely Koolie girl Jarty has what appears to be a cyst on the thigh of her hind leg. Before Christmas some pus came out of it. Since then it has healed over and shrunk somewhat - but it is still there.

The cyst doesn't appear to cause any pain or discomfort for Jarty whatsoever.

I convinced FIL to take her to the vet before Christmas to have the cyst looked at. The vet said it was most likely a cyst and that it should be removed - quoting him over $1000 for the whole procedure including general anaesthetic.

FIL doesn't have that kind of money readily available and I think it seemed a bit excessive for what seems to be a cyst – which should go away of its own accord right?. Also I don't like any animal, or human for that matter, having general anaesthetic and surgery 'just in case'.

So this the cost has made FIL wary of going back to the vet and he doens't want to be charged again for another consult - possibly be pushed into an operation he can't afford.

Now I’m not adverse taking the dog to the vet and paying for the surgery myself – I can manage the awkward conversation with FIL – but I’d like to know more about cysts before causing family drama’s and committing the dog to an anasthetic before I've tried other options.

So tell me what you know. Will it go away by itself? How long would that take? What could we use to help it along the way? What are the warnings signs that it might be something other than a cyst?

[Dame Aussie]

Can the vet know for sure it is just a cyst without doing tests? That's more what I would be worried about.

[kayla1]

One of my dogs had a cyst in a similar place on his hind leg. It was there for a number of weeks since it first appeared, grew, was squeezed by the vet, and then healed over. There was never any mention of having it removed, and no need for any other treatment. The vet wasn't concerned at all.

That's just my experience though, not sure if it's typical for cysts.

[Florise]

Will it go away by itself? How long would that take? What could we use to help it along the way? What are the warnings signs that it might be something other than a cyst?

Why do anything at all - unless it is obviously causing pain or discomfort, unless (in some situations) it is growing, discoloured, bleeding or changing rapidly, or unless it is proven to be cancerous? Leave it alone otherwise. Thank god I have a sensible vet who sticks a needle in lumps and determines what they are and more often than not, tells me the dog will die of old age before the lump kills him!!!

Edited January 14, 2013 by KaseyC

[dancinbcs]

Slather some Ichthammol ointment from the chemist on it for a few days and see if it will break at the surface. If it does start oozing, squeeze gently to empty it out and apply the ointment for a few more days until it heals up.

If the ointment does nothing and the lump grows in size or no longer feels round, smooth and loose from the underlying tissue, then it is time to have the vet remove it.

[wire]

My dog has developed these cysts over the past few months and vet said to let them heal on their own. But they keep multiplying.

I'm changing his kibble to grain free to see if this improves and hopefully eliminates them.

Keep an eye on your FIL's dog to see if more develop, review diet.

Good luck :)

[dianed]

I have a GSD that constantly get sebacous cysts.I assume that is the type you arew talking about.

They get so big then burst,I cut the hair around then so they can drain.I help clean them out with betadine,peroxide or salt water.They heal up,but you have to remove all the cheesy stuff out or they will reform. Some take longer than others to heal. At the moment my girl has two new systs forming.

A friend recently payed $250 for the vet to treat her dog the same way I do mine.

[Rappie]

It may be a sebaceous cyst, which can be treated conservatively but may recur intermittently. Surgery to remove it will be curative.

It is important to discuss what the estimate for surgery actually includes and whether your FIL discussed alternatives with the vet. I don't mean this as a criticism but when people are feeling stressed they will often stop listening after hearing a dollar figure without then determining what it is actually for. I've had more than one abusive phone call from a relative saying that I had refused to help their pet for less than "$x", when really the conversation was that for "$X" we could do everything necessary, but there were alternatives for $Y, $Z and that monitoring was also an option.....

$1000 is a realistic figure for doing 'the works' - which might include pre-operative tests like cytology, hospital, blood tests, anaesthetic, IV fluids (if these are charged for additionally), surgery time, theatre fees, suture material (if individual packs are used), surgery time, post operative pain relief or medication and histopathology. There could be things included in the estimate that can be negotiated such as not immediately sending a lump for histopathology, or not doing blood tests etc. The pros and cons of each need to be discussed with the vet, but before making a decision based on price, find out what is included first

[Polgara's Shadow]

Will it go away by itself? How long would that take? What could we use to help it along the way? What are the warnings signs that it might be something other than a cyst?

Why do anything at all - unless it is obviously causing pain or discomfort, unless (in some situations) it is growing, discoloured, bleeding or changing rapidly, or unless it is proven to be cancerous? Leave it alone otherwise. Thank god I have a sensible vet who sticks a needle in lumps and determines what they are and more often than not, tells me the dog will die of old age before the lump kills him!!!

Its not doing any of this..in fact its gone down a little since I first saw it. You've given me some confidence that 'wait and see' is probably the best option for now. Thanks.

[Polgara's Shadow]

Slather some Ichthammol ointment from the chemist on it for a few days and see if it will break at the surface. If it does start oozing, squeeze gently to empty it out and apply the ointment for a few more days until it heals up.

If the ointment does nothing and the lump grows in size or no longer feels round, smooth and loose from the underlying tissue, then it is time to have the vet remove it.

I had been cleaning it with tea tree oil while she was with us which didn't seem to change much - perhaps it decreased some but not sure if that was due to the tea tree oil

FIL is back with us again in early Feb - I'll get some Ichthammol ointment and treat her when she is with us and see what happens. thanks for the tip I've never eard of Ichthammol ointment before.

The though of squeexing it... ...

[Polgara's Shadow]

My dog has developed these cysts over the past few months and vet said to let them heal on their own. But they keep multiplying.

I'm changing his kibble to grain free to see if this improves and hopefully eliminates them.

Keep an eye on your FIL's dog to see if more develop, review diet.

Good luck :)

I feed her good quality food when she's here but FIL is a pensioner who lives in a very small coastal town in NSW. Cost and availability of good quality food is a big factor. I'll advise him about what to look for to find a better quality food for her.

[Polgara's Shadow]

It may be a sebaceous cyst, which can be treated conservatively but may recur intermittently. Surgery to remove it will be curative.

It is important to discuss what the estimate for surgery actually includes and whether your FIL discussed alternatives with the vet. I don't mean this as a criticism but when people are feeling stressed they will often stop listening after hearing a dollar figure without then determining what it is actually for. I've had more than one abusive phone call from a relative saying that I had refused to help their pet for less than "$x", when really the conversation was that for "$X" we could do everything necessary, but there were alternatives for $Y, $Z and that monitoring was also an option.....

$1000 is a realistic figure for doing 'the works' - which might include pre-operative tests like cytology, hospital, blood tests, anaesthetic, IV fluids (if these are charged for additionally), surgery time, theatre fees, suture material (if individual packs are used), surgery time, post operative pain relief or medication and histopathology. There could be things included in the estimate that can be negotiated such as not immediately sending a lump for histopathology, or not doing blood tests etc. The pros and cons of each need to be discussed with the vet, but before making a decision based on price, find out what is included first

I don't think he discussed alternatives and yes it seems like 'the works' to me too. He got freaked out by the cost and got out of there as soon as possible. He's not going to take her back in a hurry as he's worried they will pressure him into 'the works'. He's a pensioner who thinks the cost is the cost. A pity the vet didn't help him understand there were alternatives.

[Polgara's Shadow]

Thanks for all your replies Sorry I haven't had time to reply to everyone but you've all given me confidence that the lump is not likely to be cancerous and is most likely a cyst. I now know what to look for to decide when I should take her in e.g. any changes in colour size etc.. I'll treat with the Ichthammol ointment when they stay with us in early Feb and see if that help the cyst spend itself (YUCK!).

[Noushie]

My Frenchie has been suffering from interdigital cysts since he was born, he is 2 now and we have tried everything. Changed his diet, shampoo etc,. creams, he's been on antibiotics and atopica and none of it works. The specialist dermatology vet says that he should undergo laser therapy. Basically the laser heats the skin protein filling the cysts to extreme temperatures causing the cysts to vaporize and disrupting many other cysts. Has anyone heard of this or had this done? It sounds drastic to me and I'm quite concerned.

[Salukifan]

PS:

I had been cleaning it with tea tree oil while she was with us which didn't seem to change much - perhaps it decreased some but not sure if that was due to the tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is toxic to dogs, especially if used undiluted. If you want to treat it, use a proper disinfectant that is safe for use on dogs.

[Florise]

My Frenchie has been suffering from interdigital cysts since he was born, he is 2 now and we have tried everything. Changed his diet, shampoo etc,. creams, he's been on antibiotics and atopica and none of it works. The specialist dermatology vet says that he should undergo laser therapy. Basically the laser heats the skin protein filling the cysts to extreme temperatures causing the cysts to vaporize and disrupting many other cysts. Has anyone heard of this or had this done? It sounds drastic to me and I'm quite concerned.

Do they cause the dog any concern?

[Noushie]

Yes, they are painful and errupt about every 3 weeks.

[Florise]

What sort of cysts are they?

[Noushie]

vet calles them follicular cysts, furunculosis

[Erny]

I'm not saying to anyone to do this - the judgement call has to be with the person. AND a veterinary diagnosis should be obtained first in all circumstances, so you know what you're dealing with. But I've used "Black Salve" with great success on a lesion that was diagnosed a type of skin cancer that was otherwise going to have to have surgery. Now gone. No surgery. (Not on my dog.)

For cysts, can a poltice be used? Somewhat different, but my boy throws "boils" in between his toes (a symptom of digestive issues, building up to the body needing to remove toxins the liver isn't totally dealing with). As a standard approach, antibiotics would be used, but these don't bode well with my boy's symptoms (and I do like to avoid use of antibiotics where possible and feasible regardless) so I used a poltice. I use something else when I see boils appearing/coming to a head (Lugol's Solution) and this works great, but there was one in particular that must have been deep seated and wasn't showing as usual. X-rays to make sure the immense swelling and pain wasn't from a broken toe showed clear and it was determined as a boil. Poltice applied; relief was noticeable inside 24 hours. Walking on foot (with limp) and swelling greatly reduced inside that time period. Two more days after the first, and swelling gone; full weight bearing.

As I said - could be irrelevant or not feasible in your instance, but some food for thought and research.

ETA: In the earlier days, when symptoms were rife, I suspected Furunculosis as well, but we (i.e. the Vets and now myself) don't think it is that, even though very similar.

ETA: Noushie - have you investigated diet? Diet change and appropriate supporting supplements with my boy GREATLY reduced symptoms in terms of both frequency and also aggressiveness. Any time I see my boy lick at his feet, I inspect and apply Lugol's Solution to any area appearing a bit inflamed. I also take particular notice of the nail bed and apply there as well , to stop and prevent infection. I will add that I apply the Lugol's Solution as it was prescribed by a Naturopath following a hair-DNA analysis. It is iodine based - relatively safe, but iodine and thyroid needs to be borne in mind.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Erny