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My dog has a clear bump on her back. Is it a cyst? How to treat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 8 years and 6 months old | 10 lbs

Hello! My dog has a clear/white fluid filled small bump on her back. How do you recommend I treat it?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 29th, 2017

It looks to be a small cyst. I would just leave it alone. It is only a cosmetic blemish. It is not causing any harm. If you want it off of her then you need to have your vet remove it as that will be a surgical procedure. That is not really necessary unless it is bothering her.

If you try to "pop" it , it will just come back and you may introduce infection into the cyst and cause an abscess. Really, no treatment is needed. Just leave it alone.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

28Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 2nd, 2018
It can be a small skin growth such as a cyst or a pustule from a bite or skin infection. If it does not bother her, I would monitor it for any changes since it is so small. If it has a discharge or gets larger, then get it seen by your vet. If it is a from a bite then it may go away altogether this way. A cyst or growth will likely grow or change.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Emily, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 17th, 2017
This could be an infected cyst, a deep pustule which is essentially a zit or some other type of skin tumor. I recommend keeping it clean and dry, monitoring it for any change in size, redness, discharge or pain. You could try applying a medicated pet shampoo daily and monitoring it afterwards. However if it becomes enlarged, red, painful or more appear or it does not go away after a couple days then Bellybutton needs to be examined by her veterinarian.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 21st, 2017
This is not likely to be due to an infection, but more likely a tumor. Considering that it is ulcerated and irregularly shaped, I would be very concerned that this is a cancerous tumor and recommend taking Penut to the vet in the next day or two for an accurate diagnosis and likely removal.

I hope that helps and Peanut gets better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 24th, 2017
I don't see a picture associated with your post so it is hard to know the cause. It could be a cyst, benign or possibly cancerous mass. Your vet can do a needle aspirate to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. It may need to be removed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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