cyst on dog

[darkstar]

Our Golden Retriever has a cyst (a ball about 5cm round) just behind her ear that seems to be hanging on by not very much, she's 14yrs old. We don't think she could take a general anesthetic. Is there some other treatment for her. We will be taking her to the vet as soon as possible, but my wife's worried really about her. Thanks

[Eels]

What it is, and whether she needs a general anaesthetic or sedative to remove it or whether it would be better left alone are things that can only be determine once someone with expertise has examined the lump. You really would be better to ask these questions of your vet, who will be able to consider the risks and benefits of removing the lump in the context of her physical health after a full examination.

I realise your wife is worried, but at 5cm it obviously hasn't arisen overnight, and you will be able to get a vet appointment very quickly. I suggest you do so to put both your minds at rest. It's possibly nothing at all to be concerned about.

[lankeela]

It probably won't hurt to leave it alone, but only the vet can tell you this for sure. As for an anaesthetic, my dog is fourteen next month and she has been chewing under her tail and her feet. Last week she had an anaesthetic to knock her out so the vet could examine closely and clean up under her tail (she hates having anything done to her). When I picked her up she was howling the place down because she could hear me.

She was up and about and you would not know she had had anything done. The anaesthetics they use nowadays are very quick to be reversed (there is one called Rapinovet which brings them round straight away). So don't worry if the vet says it has got to come off - although he probably will say leave well alone.

[lankeela]

Just a thought - are you sure its not a tick? They look like a blackcurrant and are held on by the feet of the tick becoming embedded in the skin - they fall off by themselves after a time when the tick has gorged itself on the blood of the animal. Sorry if you already know all this, but some of the questions on here lately suggest that some people are not very with it on what most of us take as normal doggy goings on.

[darkstar]

Thank you for your help. Lankeela, no it's not a Tick. The vet seen this cyst about 3yrs ago and it was her who said it would be best to leave it alone, It's grown a bit since then. We are waiting to get appointment, but thank again for your help, both of you.