Cyst on back ...most likely a Sebaceous cyst - Page 1

A couple of my dogs have had these. For now, we have left them alone. The oldest bitch is 7 1/2 years old.She's had them for several years. Our vet says leave them alone. None of them are in areas such at wrists, where they would bother the dog. Here is a website...I'm sure you can find more info if you search http://members.tripod.com/maddoguk/doghelp/sebcyst.htm

Sebaceous gland cysts are very, very common in GSDs, and other breeds as well. In general, it is best to leave them alone. However, sometimes they plug and then they can grow rapidly. At some point often larger cysts will become infected and if not treated, will often rupture, forcing treatment. The best treatment in such cases is to excise the area and suture when the infection has resolved. Small ones in places which are not being bothered by the dog chewing, or when they are rubbed through body motion, can be left and simply monitored. Keeping smaller ones expressed and a little iodine or hydrogen peroxide topical treatment can prevent small ones from becoming more of a problem. The cysts described in the previous posting on cyst on the back are most probably exactly these kinds of cysts. Sometimes when a GSD seems to get a lot of them, a change in diet with less fat is a good option to try to see if that reduces the frequency and severity of the cysts.