Senior dog's tail cyst bursts and bleeds. Is surgery safe for him?

Bruce would need a complete physical exam and lab work done prior to any anesthetic procedure to make sure he is healthy and stable enough for surgery. An echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) may be recommended to assess cardiac architecture and function. Once this is completed, your veterinarian can determine if surgery is possible. In the meantime, place an e-collar (cone) on him to prevent further scratching. Antibiotics may be indicated for infection. Your veterinarian can dispense some after an exam.

That growth may be a tumor or a cyst that ruptured. It is infected and has a very large open spot. the only thing you can do at home is keep the area clean and get an e collar from a pet store to prevent him from licking it and making it worse. It will need to be seen by a vet for antibiotics and possibly surgery to have it removed or this may be a repetitive cycle

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These could be benign or malignant growths. Since these have remained present, it would be best to have them evaluated. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi there. If the cyst is bleeding right now, the only thing you can do at home is apply direct pressure to it with a paper towel or wash cloth until the bleeding stops. Then, I would recommend taking Mocha to the vet to have this checked when you are able to. He/she can advise you on whether the cyst should be surgically removed, or if any other treatment (antibiotics, etc.) is needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If these are Benign cysts, the best course of action if they are causing him discomfort is to have them removed. They may be able in this case to remove the tissue around it so that it stops bothering him. Another alternative is to treat it medically with antibiotics. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

The problem with cysts is that they can get bigger, then pop, and refill again. This should be drained sterilely, and the cyst may need to be removed surgically to prevent it from reoccurring. Do not try to pop it yourself, as that will introduce infection into the area. I would have Jim seen by a vet today if the vet is open for normal business hours, or on Monday to have the cyst drained. The vet can decide if it needs to be removed surgically.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Dexter. I agree, that is concerning that this hard lump is now bleeding, and this lump could be something serious. It could be a hemangiosarcoma (malignant) or hermangioma (benign), which are tumors that develop from blood vessels and look like a blood blister. Given his age, there is a chance it could be another type of malignant tumor, like a mast cell tumor, but it could also be benign. Unfortunately without seeing him in person, I cannot say for certain. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give his vet a call to make him an appointment. I hope this helps!