Sebaceous Cysts - 2 - Page 1

Hello All

New user here, I tried posting to the original Sebaceous Cysts thread, but the site rules won't let me, indicating the thread was too old

Anwyays, i have a 9 years old German Shephered that I think have several of these Sebaceous Cysst, I don't know enough about them to determine whether they are the said cyst or not.

About a year ago, I came home one evening to discover blood traces around the house, and guessed that he was fighting with the little Jack Russell that we also have, but later discovered the blood was coming from one of the cyst, he probably scratched it or something, the next day, he seems fine, and was not bleeding anymore, there were no signs of discomfort so we left it alone.

The size of the thing grow to about 4 cm in diameter since, and still he shows no signs of discomfort even when i touch the soft lump.  About 2 weeks ago, I bathe him, and he was fine and samet thing, i was able to wash him thorougly including the cyst spot without any issue

Started wednesday evening, I notice that he was licking the area a little, but didn't pay much attention to it, yesterday, i notice that all his fur in the area shredded, and the cyst has a small hole, with puz and a bit of blood oozing from it, the hole is about 2-3mm in diameter.  I made an appointment to see the vet tomorrow morning, but am a bit worry and if i should bring him to an emergency vet

My worries came mostly from my research, as most people reported pus and holes, but nobody mention something that size and definitely i didn't see reports of blood oozing out from the skin. 

What are your thoughts?

See if your vet can move up the appointment. If you need antibiotics, it would be a pity to wait. Is the area hot to the touch? Does it feel hard at all?

Hello there

Thanks for your reply.

The area does not feel hard, and the temperature seems normal, he is licking it quite a bit, but otherwise no other signs of discomfort, he get grumpy when he is irritated, but will let me reach to the general area, so is definitely not discomfortable to a point where he is irritated by me touching it

My dog has an issue with all strangers as long as I am around, he will show aggression and won't let anyone come near me (seems fine as long as i am not around him), so the vet wants me to go on satuday because she has more people to control him, they marked him as a "2 red star" patient...

I think you'll be okay to wait for your regular appointment. 

Hi Godwine,
  You could always have it removed but some dogs are prone to them so remove one find another. Did you see puss or a cottage cheese consistancy? Not really an emergency, wash area really well with soap/water .

Can you post a picture, because sebaceous cysts dont necessarily need treatment.

A sebaceous cyst is just a pore that has become blocked.  What looks like pus is in fact fat or grease build up under the skin. Look for the black dot on the skin and gently squeeze the surplus fat out.  Then clean off with warm soapy water.  No problem and no vet fee.

Mackenzie

My last GSD was prone to sebaceous cysts which normally have a cottage cheese appearance if you squeeze them. The first one he had started oozing and the vet operated and removed it. More cysts popped up as he aged but usually didn't amount to anything unless he had too much carbohydrate in his diet. The cysts usually remained small when I fed him raw meat especially beef or venison which I did once a week. flax ,  safflower oil and wild salmon oil may also help. 

If the cysts are oozing or red and hot which means their ready to rupture then hot compresses with epsom salts are good.  Also if the dog is biting or licking at them then that also indicates they're ready to rupture. try a compress called Animal Lintex which is sold in horse/tack stores in Ontario, not sure about other areas. Its like a compress but better and can be used on dogs and horses. Apply it dry if the cyst has ruptured and tape it on. If the cyst hasn't ruptured then use it as a hot compress.

Once my GSD had an inflamed cyst on his neck that was the size of a golf ball and had started oozing. I cut the fur around the cyst and put a piece of dry Animal Lintex on it. I changed the dressing once and after 12 hours the cyst was down to normal.

The vet told me that the cysts have to be cut out to totally remove them and if part of the casing is left in during surgery then they will grow back.

Treating them with the Animal Lintex and change in diet really worked and won't cost you a fortune and its easier on the dog.
 GSD's are prone to sebaceous cysts and its really nothing to worry about :)

Juno11

I agree with above, they can be a common thing in older GSD's and all you really need to do is lance them with a large bore needle, like a darning needle, and really clean the area before/after the lancing, and then just squeeze the contents out, then apply neosporin ointment to the spot.  This is per my vet's recommendations, by the way. Not mine.

I've had a male have two of them turn cancerous. Got in time