Dog cyst

A number of diseases in dogs at first sight do not cause unrest in the owners, since they seem to be quite harmless, however, the consequences may be irreparable. Such diseases include pathological formations. In most cases, a cyst in dogs does not pose a danger, but some of its species can deprive a pet of health and even lead him to death.

Types of cysts and their causes

A cyst is a cavity within which fluid is formed - the secret. Natural secrets of decomposition, as well as microorganisms and even parasite eggs, act as a secret. In the event that a cyst with such a filling bursts, the nearby organs and tissues will be seriously affected, and the organism will become infected.

In some cases, a cyst can degenerate into a malignant neoplasm, therefore, veterinarian diagnostics and regular monitoring are necessary.

The type of cyst is determined by a variety of signs - the place of formation, the features of the structure of the cavity, the tendency to growth and development, and others.

Epidermal or skin cyst is quite common. Its distinctive features include the following:

• Location - the upper layers of the epidermis.
• A cavity in the shape of a circle or a ball.
• The softness of education, you can check it while probing.
• The cyst does not bring pain to the dog.
• Education size rarely exceeds 50mm.

The causes of cysts formed on the surface of the skin, a variety. Often they appear on the background of a clogged pore, which does not allow skin secretion to go outside. As a result, a cavity is formed, which is gradually filled.

Pores can become blocked due to adverse environmental conditions - chemical emissions into the atmosphere, excessive air pollution, and ozone holes. All this violates the skin exchange, as a result of which an external cyst can appear.

Not the last role is played by the hereditary factor. Scientists have found that the chance of an epidermal cyst in a dog is higher if its immediate relatives suffered from this disease. The formation of such an etiology may be congenital. External cysts in dogs are most often found on the gums, between the toes on the paws, in the auricles.

In addition, dogs have cystic cavities formed on the internal organs. Most often they occur on the ovaries and mammary glands. Internal formations can disrupt the work of the organs and systems of the dog, some types of them lead to infertility, and in the case of ruptures there is a high probability of death.

The causes of internal cysts include inflammatory processes in organs and hormonal disorders. Less commonly, education occurs due to exposure to parasites.

The causes of cysts are still poorly understood by modern medicine.

Symptoms of the disease

1. Cyst located on the skin surface

A cyst located on the surface of the skin is determined visually. Education on the gums can be identified in the initial stages. The tissues, in the place of appearance of the cyst, swell up, are distinguished by a bright red tint. Over time, the tumor may spread throughout the gum.

During this period, quite often the dog feels unwell, gets tired quickly, can refuse to eat , in some cases the body temperature rises. On examination of the mouth, a white or yellow growth, filled with pus, will be revealed. If you do not help the pet, then he will suffer pain, asymmetry of the mouth, flux.

2. Cyst sweat gland

The cyst of the sweat gland is blue, blue or grayish, its size rarely exceeds 1 cm. Often a sweat gland cyst occurs in the ear cavity, in most cases it is not dangerous, the pet does not experience discomfort.

3. Follicular cyst

Follicular cyst occurs in the hair root, its filling is dead cells. The characteristic color is gray, the size varies from 1mm to several cm.

4. Dermo cyst

Dermoid cyst is a congenital defect. It is a closed soft cavity of a rounded shape, towering above the scalp. In some cases there is a risk of infection of the nervous system, therefore, veterinarians recommend timely treatment.

5. Cyst in the hyoid area

A cyst may appear in the sublingual zone. It looks like a round purulent bag of white-pink color. When a cyst is formed in this place, the dog often refuses to eat, because he feels inconvenience in the process of eating. If the size of the formation reaches a critical size, the dog may stop using even drinking, will begin to languish from exhaustion.

6. Interdigital cyst

Interdigital cyst in most cases does not cause pain in the pet, it looks like a round swelling. The formation is mild, the temperature in the cyst is not elevated, there are both single and multiple swellings. Short -haired dogs are particularly susceptible to this disease. The basis of the disease is the ingrowth of hair into the skin.

Skin cysts have the same symptoms:

• Slowly increasing in size.
• They do not cause pain, the dog, while probing the cavity, behaves calmly, does not whine , does not try to ward off the owner from himself.
• During cyst palpation, its smooth structure, heterogeneity, granularity - a dangerous "bell" is revealed.
• The pet quickly gets tired, sleeps more than usual, does not want to walk for a long time.
• In some cases, the body temperature rises.
• Loss of appetite.

If you find a seal on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, an urgent need to consult a doctor to prevent cancer. The veterinarian will diagnose and, if necessary, prescribe treatment.

Most internal cysts are asymptomatic and are diagnosed by chance. However, sometimes the following symptoms occur:

• Increased body temperature in the pet.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weakness, unwillingness to walk, apathy.

Asymptomatic course of the disease is dangerous because a cyst can burst. In this case, the following symptoms are recorded:

• Attacks of vomiting .
• Bloody discharge as a sign of internal bleeding.
• Attacks of pain, during which the dog whines, behaves unnaturally, may faint.
• Increased body temperature.

These symptoms suggest that the dog requires urgent medical care, it is impossible to postpone a visit to the doctor even for a few hours.

Diagnosing and treating cysts in dogs

This problem can be addressed to a general veterinarian or to an oncologist. The doctor will conduct the following diagnostic studies:

• Inspection of the dog, during which the vet feels the outer formation. If any, will conduct an overall assessment of the animal's state of health.
• General analysis of urine and blood, checking its clotting and hemoglobin level.
• Ultrasound study to study the nature of education.
• X-ray
• CT scan.

After the diagnosis is made, the issue of treatment is resolved. In some cases, when there is no obvious danger to the health and life of the pet, no active actions are taken. The veterinarian offers the owner to observe the development of a cyst, if it does not grow or cause discomfort to the dog, treatment will not be required. In the case when education progresses or there is a threat to the health of the dog, the doctor will take active steps.

Drug treatment of cysts rarely gives a clear positive effect, but in some cases, the dog is prescribed subcutaneous administration of drugs aimed at resorption of education. This method is used only in the case of small formations, drugs do not act on large cysts.

The most effective way out is surgical intervention . The operation is performed under local anesthesia, for example, when you need to remove a cyst under the tongue, and under general anesthesia, in the case of formations on the internal organs. After surgery, the doctor makes recommendations that will help the dog recover in a short period.

The owner must independently process the seams, for this they use a solution of manganese or iodine, furatsilin. It is important to feed the pet correctly. In the case of oral surgery, the dog is forbidden to eat dry food for several hours.

Disease prevention

Since the causes of the formation of most types of cysts are unknown, veterinarians give general recommendations for the prevention of this disease. First of all, the owner must provide the dog with proper and balanced nutrition . Doctors recommend specially developed food, they contain the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals for each day.

It is important to observe the dog's hygiene, regularly comb the pet, cleaning the wool from possible accumulations of dirt, and also cutting the wool. Wash the dog followed with special products that wash the coat and skin. Long-haired breeds are washed 2 times a month, dogs whose wool has an average nap is enough to bathe every 2 months. Too frequent washing dries the pet's skin, disrupts its water balance.

It is necessary to regularly inspect the skin of the dog, in the case of neoplasms, a visit to the veterinarian should not be postponed.