When Is A Skin Cyst on An Older Dog a Problem
Urgency:Need to know
Category: Health & Wellness
Asked by: Janet R. (janetrussell) 11 months ago
I know that cysts of all kinds and sizes seem to pop up out of nowhere on older dogs.
My 8 year old Mastiff has developed a large cyst on the back of his neck. The vet looked at it and said it was not a solid mass but some kind of fluid filled cyst and would most likely open on its own.
However, it seems to be getting bigger and bigger and no sign of draining.
Am not sure whether to be concerned. I know if I take him back to the vet they will suggest removing it, but this is a really expensive operation for a dog the size of a Mastiff. The anethesia charges are done by the weight and at 230 pounds, it ends up costing as much as if you were putting an adult under for an operation.
Plus, I don't want to put my dog through something unnecessary but this lump is beginning to really bother me.
Any thoughts out there?
Answers from Zootooers
Answered by: Mel S. (Melody) 11 months ago
You really need to have it checked out. Maybe the vet can do a needle biopsy that why your dog won't need to be put under. If surgery is needed you should see if the Dr will take payments or maybe find another vet. The cyst getting bigger is not a good thing.
Answered by: jay s. (rottyman) 11 months ago
First are you sure it's cyst?It could be a tumor.My dog had what I thought was abug bite on his ear and turn out to be atumor.They took samples to test and said that just pokeing it can make the bodt heal it on it's own and it will fall off like a scab.
Answered by: spongebrooke 11 months ago
you could ask them to try aspirating it to try and drain it first and see how that goes before you consider surgery
Answered by: kathy m. (jakeslave) 11 months ago
my border collie has a lump on the back of his neck for about 4 years now...doesnt grow and doesnt shrink...the vet who is a friend could only calm me down by sticking a needle in it and draining some and showing me...clear liquid that they call fat lumps...doing no harm but bothering me...didnt hurt him to have it stuck either
Answered by: Jay T. (JayHunter) 11 months ago
When they continue to grow or change. My dog had a small cyst when I got him (2yrs. old). The vet checked it and it wasn't cancerous so we left it alone.
Four years later it had started growing and it was about 3" long by 2" wide. It still tested negative for cancer, but we chose to have it removed along with another smaller one. We had his teeth cleaned at the same time to take advantage of the expense of the anesthesia.
Good luck!
Answered by: maria h. (mariamoose) 11 months ago
Why can't the vet draw out the fluid with a syringe? No anesthesia necessary and the fluid can be tested for abnormalities.
Answered by: Toni G. (ToniTech) 11 months ago
If it's growning rapidly then have it removed and sent in to have it checked. Usually sebacous cysts will drain but I would be concerned if it's still growning and shows no sign of draining.
Answered by: Marla W. (marlawo) 11 months ago
I would get it removed. I have have a dog that had someting like this and it turned out to be cancer. He is ok now it's bee 6 ear. I never take chances the money was well spend. Get another another opinion. Good luck
