Before You Treat a Dog’s Sebaceous Cyst at Home
So your dog has a sebaceous cyst and youre wondering how to get rid of that unsightly growth at home? Before trying anything, its very, very important to have your vet see the lump and determine if its something to worry about or not.
First, Get a Diagnosis and Make Sure It’s Benign
The fact is that some innocent-looking lumps turn out to be cancer. If this happens, the lump will need to be removed as soon as possible. Dont try home remedies, dont wait too long, and dont gamble with your dogs health when it comes to lumps!
Once at the vet, they will look at the lump, but dont expect it to end there. In most cases, a visual inspection is not enough to determine what it is. At this point, depending on the location and type of lump, your vet may decide to perform a fine needle aspiration, a tissue biopsy, or a complete biopsy of the lump by removing it totally under general anesthesia.
Once your vet has ruled out anything major and the lump turns out to be a benign cyst, you will then need to decide which approach to take. Your vet is the best source for this type of recommendation.
Efficacy of Open Drainage of Cysts in Dogs
Open drainage will alleviate the symptoms associated with a cyst almost immediately. If the cyst has become infected (and the infection has spread) then antibiotics will be required, but the noticeable swelling and inflammation should start to ebb away right after surgery.
How To Get Rid of a Dog Cyst Naturally
Have you found a little lump on your dog while cuddling with them on the couch? The first thing is, don’t panic. It’s not unusual for masses to develop on a dog’s body throughout their lifetime; more often than not, they aren’t malignant. However, that doesn’t mean it’s something to ignore. Having your veterinarian evaluate the growth promptly means they can establish what it is and if it needs treatment.
One common kind of lump is a cyst. While typically benign, these cysts can grow, which may sometimes lead to complications. So, it’s worth understanding the different types of cysts on dogs and when they can be a cause for concern.
Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, explains that, in its simplest form, “a cyst is a hollow space, formed around a membrane that’s usually filled with either fluid, semi-fluid, or solid material.” These sacs develop within the tissue on or in any part of the body. But “most of the cysts we think of are usually located on or slightly under the skin,” he says. Typically, cysts contain secretions that occur in the body naturally, but sometimes they can contain atypical breakdown products, such as keratin (a skin protein) or dead cells.
Certain breeds have a genetic predisposition to developing cysts. Dr. Klein explains some terriers are prone to follicular cysts, as are hairless breeds. Breeds like the Chinese Crested “have comedones like blackheads, because the melanin is not activated very much, and they easily get blocked ducts,” he says. Other breeds susceptible to cysts include Basset Hounds, Boxers, English Springer Spaniels, Schnauzers, and Golden Retrievers.
Some other cyst triggers are injuries, pressure points, infection, certain diseases or medications, and idiosyncratic injection reactions.