My senior dog has a bleeding head cyst. Does it need removal?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Unfortunately, for larger masses / cysts, full anesthesia is required to remove them. Some masses can be removed using local anesthetic while the patient is awake, but not in all cases. If it is quite a large cyst, unfortunately, the only 100% solution would be to remove it entirely. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. You can also inquire about freezing the cyst, which depends on the size and location of the mass / cyst.

My own dog has several of the same lesions. Yes, they can become infected but typically if that happens the infection is localized and resolves without intervention as long as you can prevent Fifi from licking, chewing or scratching the area. A few of the cysts were becoming more of a problem so I had Lori's removed. If Fifi's cysts continue to bleed or become infected, discuss removal with your veterinarian. If the cysts are small enough, removal can be done with a sedative and local pain block. Try not to worry, Fido should be fine. Apply an E-collar of needed to keep her from traumatizing the area.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Oreo. Potentially it could heal, but keep in mind that the cyst will likely grow back because the cyst sac has not been removed. So this could be a continuing problem when it heals, fills up again, and then opens. While the best thing to do is have it removed, you can hold off to see if it fills up again. Clean the area with warm water and antiseptic soap. Keep the wound clean and dry, and monitor it for signs of infection. If you see redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, or pus, then it is infected and she will need to see the vet for antibiotics to treat it. I hope this helps!

you can put some antiseptic or antibiotic cream on it, if she is scratching it it would also be a god idea to put an e-collar around her neck to prevent her from doing any more damage. If the bleeding carries on, the cyst will need to be removed surgically.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tipper. You are doing everything right by using the disinfectant solution to keep it clean. Unfortunately, without surgical removal, the cycle will likely continue. You will need to discuss risks versus benefits of anesthesia at her age. I hope this information helps!

Trust your vet. As long as the mass does not grow or cause a problem, it is better to leave it alone. Should it start to grow or burst or ooze or get infected, it can be surgically drained or removed.

It could be a cyst, mass, or pustule. Have your vet take a look at it to determine the best way to treat. She may need an antibiotic to treat an infection and/or it may need to be removed. Your vet can do an aspirate to help diagnose.