My dog has an oozing, smelly bump on his back. Is it a cyst?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Chances are that this is a sebaceous cyst. Sebaceous cysts are usually harmless, sack-like growths with a lining that is not cancerous. In dogs, most cysts develop from hair follicles. These cysts typically appear as single, clearly defined, firm or soft lumps located in the skin or just beneath it. They are often between 0.5 to 5 centimetres in size and may sometimes have a bluish colour. A cyst can release a thick, gray-to-yellow-brown cheesy substance if it bursts. Other terms for sebaceous cysts in dogs include infundibular or follicular cysts. The lump needs to have a fine needle aspirate (FNA)/cytology to be sure of that diagnosis. Here is a link about the procedure and why it is done. It does not require anesthesia. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cytology-fine-needle-aspiration-fna ) If it is a sebaceous cyst, it will be very obvious once the vet introduces the needle into the lump. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It's quite possible that the little bump on Booboo's back is a cyst. While most cysts are benign (especially ones in young dogs), their size can fluctuate as they fill with fluid, rupture, then refill. When cysts rupture, they can cause little crusts or scabs on the surface of the skin. These lesions can become infected if a dog licks or scratches at the area, but most of the time, they don't cause any problems. I don't see evidence of infection in the picture. For now, I think it's reasonable to keep an eye on the area for changes. If you want to clean it with an antiseptic to err on the side of caution, Hibiclens and betadine are both good over the counter options, but be sure to rinse well afterwards. Unless this lesion gets larger, has more discharge, or irritates Booboo, I don't think you need to take a trip to the vet for this lesion alone. That said, be sure to mention it to your vet the next time Booboo is due for an exam so that they can check it out. I hope that everything goes well!

A picture would be very helpful in this instance but you could be describing a ruptured sebaceous cyst. This is benign but can get infected. Clean the area with warm water and keep Layla from licking it. If it is not improving in 3 days, or worsening at any time, it’s time to see the vet. Best of luck to your friend and to Layla!

This looks like it could be a histiocytoma or a sebaceous cyst but it is very difficult to tell much just by looking at some photos. It is not an emergency but it is best to have your vet check her out.

I agree that it looks like it is most likely a sebaceous cyst. Sebaceous cysts tend to grow slowly over time, but should not increase in size rapidly or become red. They can become infected, so it if becomes red or painful, I would recommend having your veterinarian examine it in case it has become infected. If it is enlarging, your vet can perform a simple test called a fine needle aspirate where they use a small needle to collect some cells from the mass, then look at them under the microscope to make sure that it is a benign cyst. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

Its hard to say for sure what that is on Teddy since I can't actually feel the mass. Based on how it looks and the condition of the skin around it (which appears normal in the pictures), I would wonder if Teddy has some sort of clogged pore or skin cyst. Often times a cyst will feel like a firm pea under the skin and they are not painful. Typically a clogged pore can be expressed and the material will be very thick. It will likely continue to refill over and over. Cysts and clogged pores are benign lesions but can get infected (so don't traumatize the lesion). The be sure, I would recommend to take Teddy in to see his doctor and have the mass palpated. If it looks more worrisome, the doctor will recommend an aspirate to determine the origin of the lesion. best of luck with Teddy!