Cyst?? Advice Please.

[annie_so_pink]

Warning: Slightly graphic pictures included below.

Just a few weeks ago, Wesley (just turned 3 year old, Lab/Pittie Mix), developed a sort of bump on his skin. We were really concerned so I first looked it up online and thought that it sounded like and looked like a hot spot. We took him to the vet right away. However, once we got him there, the vet took one glance at it, quickly dismissed my idea of it being a hot spot, and diagnosed it as either a cyst or a wart, most likely a cyst. I did not think that I had a reason not to trust what he said. However, when I asked how to treat it, he said that there was no treatment, but that it wouldn't hurt him at all. Right away he said that there was not a possibility of it being cancerous, but I just don't understand how he could know this right away with hardly any examination at all. Wesley was looked at for a grand total of 2 minutes- that's it.

I just do not understand how this vet actually knows what he is talking about. He hardly even saw it. He also noted that it would NOT grow- however, it has grown since the vet told us that. Also, he said that it was a "cyst" or a "wart". I have looked up cysts on dogs, and the description does not fit...

Here are some pictures of what it looks like: And advice is welcome and greatly appreciated!

[dogs4life]

Did your vet take an aspirate or a biopsy for a pathology consult? Is it fluid filled or solid? I always understood cysts to have a build up of fluid.

Our dog's tumors were dismissed by several vets, so I suggest a second opinion maybe in order, maybe a cancer or dermatology specialist this time.

If you have not already, you might want to look at Mast Cell Tumor or Sarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma, Spindle Cell tumor or sarcoma, and Soft Tissue tumor or sarcoma.

HTH

ETA-

Here are 2 greats site about dog cancer, they might help with your search for information, The National Canine Cancer Foundation dedicated to eliminating cancer in dogs, Modiano Lab - Cancer Info - Cancer Related Links

[annie_so_pink]

Originally Posted by dogs4life

Did your vet take an aspirate or a biopsy for a pathology consult? Is it fluid filled or solid? I always understood cysts to have a build up of fluid.

Thank you for your response!!
No, our vet did not do anything. He just quickly dismissed it without a second glance. This was the whole reason we took him in. We were very worried, and our vet seemed to not even care.
I am not sure if it is solid or fluid filled. It seems solid, but I haven't really poked at it because I don't want to hurt him.

[dogs4life]

I'm sorry your vet seemed uninterested, after what I've learned from dealing with Montana's tumors, I'd be worried if it was dismissed without even an aspirate.

Feel around at it a bit, handle it, it will be obvious if it hurts and if it's fluid filled or solid. Also check to see if it's attached to muscle or just within the skin layer. You should be able to move your fingers underneath it if it's just on the skin or just under the skin. Montana's tumors didn't hurt, that's why they were dismissed

ETA
Vet Dermatologist: acvd / Home
Vet Oncologist (DACVIM, oncology): Veterinary Cancer Society

[annie_so_pink]

It popped today. He was just laying on the couch and it started bleeding. We're going to the vet again this afternoon... I'm going to insist that they do something for it.

[Ritz459]

Ew. Hopefully you'll be able to get it treated with little fuss.

I hate it when vets dissmiss what you are panicking about like it is nothing. Our vet did that with Rush and now Rush slipped so far down hill we couldn't treat him if we wanted to (or if we did it would be very expensive with little chance of success - in other words, more stress than it is worth).

[annie_so_pink]

Yeah, I know what you mean.
Today was a lot more positive. We took him to the vet again (same office, different veterinarian) and everything went a lot better. He gave us a topical gel to put on it and said that it should lessen the itch as well as protect it from infection. He said it may break open a few more times but soon it should cover over into a harder darker bump and cover with fur. According to him, soon you won't even know that it is there unless you brushed over it while petting him and then it would only feel like a slight bump. He also told us that if it does not help, or at any time if we'd want to have it removed, he could do that too. He said that he would have to completely sedate him though, so not too fun for Wesley. We'll do that if that's what he needs, but the vet didn't sound like that would be his first choice. He said that it's a cosmetic thing and won't hurt him at all medically, so I feel SO much better now. Finally, a vet that actually listened to what I was saying and did something about it. All together, it was a very positive trip to the vet and it just makes me feel so much better to know that Wesley is OK!

[dogs4life]

I'm glad you got it looked at by a different vet this time. What did the 2nd vet say it was?

[annie_so_pink]

He said it was a cyst, so the first one was right on that. What really bothered me about the first one is that he didn't offer us any treatment options and didn't explain everything. The second was a lot better, took more time with us, got us a gel to put on it, and also brought up the fact that he could remove it if needed at a later date. Plus, he actually explained what it was, instead of leaving me feeling like I knew nothing more than I did when I had walked in. So that was great and I am just so relieved that my Wesley boy will be OK! Thank you so much for your advice and support!

[Shadowkins]

Sorry to hear about Wesley...and glad to see things have gotten better.
Shadow has cysts all the time , some erupt , others don't. If they do burst I wash them with
Hibitane soap ( got it from my vet ) and keep an eye on it. Most times they will heal up nicely and the fur will grow back, other times they may get infected. You did the right thing in having it looked at and I hope Wesley is feel no effect from it all.