Dogs cherish belly rubs and back scratches, which also offer owners a chance to detect any unusual lumps beneath the fur. These bumps, known as cysts, could potentially threaten your pet’s health if ignored.
What is a cyst?
A cyst is essentially a sac within the tissue, containing either liquid or semi-solid substances, sometimes byproducts of abnormal tissue processes. While some cysts may develop within malignant tumors and pose serious risks, most are benign.
The significance of early detection
Prompt identification and treatment of cysts can halt the progression of more serious conditions, including cancer. Early detection increases treatment efficacy and survival rates, significantly reducing future health complications and ensuring both your peace of mind and the well-being of your dog. As a dedicated owner, prioritizing swift and effective care is crucial for your dog’s health.
Types of Cysts on Dogs
Understanding the primary classifications of cysts is essential. Cysts on dogs can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).
A. Benign Cysts
Benign cysts remain localized and do not invade other tissues. Though they do not spread, these lumps can grow and potentially hinder your dog’s mobility and breathing. If a benign cyst causes discomfort, leading to scratching, surgical removal is advised to prevent complications.
Common types of benign growths in dogs include:
1. Lipomas (Fatty Tumors)
Lipomas are common in older dogs and appear as soft, fat-filled tumors under the skin. These growths are prevalent and usually harmless, though they can grow large.
2. Follicular Cysts
Originating from hair follicles, these cysts, also known as epidermoid cysts, form large nodules on the skin. They range in color from dark brown to yellowish or whitish. These cysts can be painful and itchy, prompting a veterinarian to perform a fine needle aspiration (FNA) to diagnose the condition accurately.
3. Sebaceous Cysts
These cysts emerge from the oil glands and resemble large pimples filled with sebum. They may resolve independently or recur. When ruptured, they release a cottage cheese-like substance. While typically harmless, they can lead to secondary bacterial infections, necessitating veterinary care.
4. Histiocytomas
Appearing as red, button-like nodules, histiocytomas are common in dogs under six years. They often resolve without treatment, but a veterinary check is recommended to exclude cancer.
5. Urticaria (Hives)
Hives, similar to those in humans, manifest as reddish welts on a dog’s skin, causing discomfort due to swelling and itchiness. Typically resulting from allergic reactions to bee stings or certain plants and pollens, mild hives often resolve without intervention. In more persistent cases, veterinarians may prescribe steroids or antihistamines.
6. False Cysts
Commonly triggered by trauma or injection reactions, false cysts resemble hematomas—dark, blood-filled structures without a secretory lining. They often form in response to physical injuries.
7. Abscesses
Formed from infections following animal bites or injuries from sharp objects like grass awns, abscesses appear as pus-filled pockets beneath the skin. They can be firm, resembling a water balloon. Treatment involves draining and cleansing with antibacterial solutions, followed by oral anti-inflammatory or antibiotic medications as prescribed by a veterinarian.
8. Dermoid Cysts
These rare, congenital cysts form before birth, indicating a developmental anomaly in the skin’s formation process.
9. Perianal Adenomas
Typically found in dogs that are not neutered or spayed, perianal adenomas are benign tumors near the anus. Slow-growing, they may become ulcerated and require veterinary attention to rule out malignant tumors.
10. True Cysts
Originating from glandular blockages such as in sweat glands, true cysts have a secretory lining that continues to produce fluid post-drainage. Complete surgical removal of the cyst wall is necessary to prevent recurrence.
11. Sebaceous Adenomas
Common in Bichon Frise, Maltese, Poodles, and their mixes, sebaceous adenomas manifest as wart-like growths on the sebaceous glands. These tumors are prevalent in older, wooly-haired dogs, growing slowly but generally identifiable by vets through visual inspection. In certain cases, such as ulceration or irritation risk, a biopsy or removal may be necessary, though they are primarily benign.
12. Melanomas
Contrary to human melanomas, canine melanomas are not caused by sun exposure but are linked to melanocytes, which are pigment cells. These tumors appear as dark lumps, growing slowly, and can be benign or malignant. Particularly aggressive forms occur on the legs and mouth, requiring surgical removal with no assurance against recurrence.
12. Warts (Papillomas)
Papillomas, or dog warts, arise from the papillomavirus and are highly contagious. Common in puppies and immunocompromised or older dogs, these warts appear as small, cauliflower-like growths primarily on the mouth, eyelids, head, face, or even the genital area. Often, they resolve independently within months, but irritation may necessitate surgical removal.
14. Skin Tags
Similar to humans, older dogs develop skin tags, fibrous growths on the skin’s surface, often mistaken for warts. These can appear on the face, chest, armpits, back, legs, and are more common in larger breeds.
15. Granulomas
Granulomas are firm, red lumps under the skin with a crusted surface, resembling malignant tumors. Vets usually advise a biopsy or surgical removal to determine if these growths are benign or malignant.
16. Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas, composed of skin tissues or blood vessels, may result from sunlight exposure among other factors. These tumors can turn malignant over time, prompting vets to recommend a biopsy or surgical removal to assess their nature.
B. Cancerous (Malignant)
Malignant cysts pose a significant threat due to their ability to metastasize, spreading from their original location to other parts of the dog’s body via the lymphoid system and bloodstream. These cancerous growths can swiftly invade organs such as the brain, lungs, liver, and bones, accelerating destruction of adjacent tissues.
Upon diagnosis of malignancy, immediate surgical intervention is necessary to halt further dissemination.
Prominent cancerous lumps in dogs include:
- Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC): Linked to excessive sunlight exposure, these tumors develop in the skin’s outer layer and are common in older dogs, affecting areas like the nose edge, lips, vulva, and eyelids. Rare types, like Bowenoid carcinoma, feature multiple lesions across various locations. These invasive tumors can cause significant pain and deformity as they spread, necessitating immediate removal to save the dog’s life.
- Mast Cell Tumors (MCT): Predominantly found in breeds like Beagles, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Schnauzers, and Labrador Retrievers, particularly those over 8 years old. These tumors, which make up about 25% of all dog tumors, originate from mast cells involved in allergic and inflammatory responses. They often appear benign but require immediate veterinary assessment.
- Melanomas: Typically presenting as dark skin lumps, melanomas in dogs can be either benign or malignant and tend to grow slowly. Early evaluation by a veterinarian is crucial to determine their nature.
- Mammary Carcinomas: Common in unspayed female dogs or those spayed after their first heat, this cancer affects the mammary tissues. Breeds like German Shepherds, Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, and Toy Poodles are more susceptible. Although not all mammary tumors are malignant, those in male dogs usually are. These tumors vary in consistency and size, requiring surgical removal and possibly chemotherapy due to their rapid spread to lymph nodes and other organs.
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas (Fibrosarcomas): Originating from an overgrowth of fibroblasts in connective tissues, these tumors are common in large breeds and older dogs. They often appear in areas such as the mouth, nasal cavity, chest, abdomen, and limbs. Despite their generally slow growth, a biopsy for accurate diagnosis followed by prompt surgical excision is vital to prevent spread to other organs.
Seek veterinary help
As a loving owner, you only want the best for your dog, do you? You want to see that apart from giving your dog the proper nourishment to boost their immune system, you also want them to be free from other conditions like a lump, cyst, or bump.
Regular vet check-ups can be of great help in discovering whatever abnormal growth they may have. Whether it is a puppy, an adult, or a senior dog, lumps and bumps can occur at any stage.
Should you find a mysterious bump and are unsure of whether it is a benign or malignant type, schedule a vet check-up right away. One harmless-looking overgrowth or mass can be a source of a major problem later on if you brush it aside.
Vets are ready to help you and your pet deal with the situation. Aside from biopsy, a microscopic examination of the tissue can help determine which type of cyst or growth your dog has.
There are a lot of ways to treat a cyst or a lump. It could involve surgical removal, and your dog will be given oral medications, or it could involve undergoing radiation therapy to slow the rate of metastasis.
Don’t be afraid to seek expert medical help. Remember that: as with human cancer, early detection can save your dog’s life.
*photo by macniak – depositphotos