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Cyst

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TallKaren

TallKaren

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Thought I would show what Peter has on his back in case anyone else has had the same thing.
Whilst given him a brush a couple of days ago notice a funny looking lump on his side. Looked up what the oil gland looked like and it wasn't that, so booked an appointment with the vet.

The vet had a looked, gave it a squeeze and, as he called it, toothpaste material came out. Said it could be operated on or try squeezing it out. So last nice had a quick spot squeezing session and a bit more came out (sorry if you're eating your dinner!). But I think it's quite big and me pushing on it not going to clear it up. Peter is now booked in for a little op on Tuesday. It's not bothering him but think it will get bigger or infected if leave it.
See picture for what it looks like. Peter had a little shave so it could be found as kept loosing where the lump was in his long hair!
20140115_181015_resized.jpg
 
I wish him the best for his little operation! It sounds like a sebaceaous cyst.
 
It looks a bit like a rotten black berry!

I hope his op goes well. It would be best to get it removed. Infected cysts are really nasty things and they get infected easily. I've seen one for myself, all red, swollen and painful. Not nice at all.
 
TallKaren said:
I think sebaceaous material was the technical term used. I prefer toothpaste!
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What colour was the "toothpaste"? A sebaceous cyst has mainly black tarry gunge inside. 2 of my piggies have had these removed with good results & no recurrence. Mousey in October 2012 & Rex in September 2013. They don't seem to have the problems that can follow abscess removals.
 
Stewybus said:
What colour was the "toothpaste"? A sebaceous cyst has mainly black tarry gunge inside. 2 of my piggies have had these removed with good results & no recurrence. Mousey in October 2012 & Rex in September 2013. They don't seem to have the problems that can follow abscess removals.
Click to expand...
It is white material but the spot is black. The vet said it would be a simple operation and because he's young he should be OK.
Good to hear that when it's remove it doesn't come back.
 
My piggie had a cyst/abscess. When she was taken to the vet it was squeezed but it ruptured, as it was quite full and deeper than first thought, a lot of white cottage cheese like substance came out! She was 6 at the time, she was operated on to have it scraped (not a technical term I know) all out, and stitched up. She did really well with the trauma and recovery after, and lived for another 2 years. I was told if it wasn’t emptied it could have come back, they think it started from something like an ingrowing hair.

Good luck!
 
The gunk from sebacious cysts can vary in colour from off white, through grey to black. It tends to be more granular or gritty than pus which tends to be cream, yellow or pale green....so "toothpaste" of "polyfilla" is a good description for the former and "cottage/cream cheese" applies to the latter. It's always advisable to get any lumps checked by a vet before squeezing especially if there is no obvious "hole" or break in the skin The vet may decide to perform a fine needle aspirate FNA (involves inserting a needle into the lump and drawing out some of the contents to examine). This will determine if it is a cyst, abcess, harmless fatty lump or something more sinister.

Glad to see your gorgeous boy is on the mend - I'm sure his lovely floofy coat will soon grow back.
x
 
I have a guinepig who had a sebaceous cyst. My vet squeezed it to clear the gunk and said if it came back he could operate. Thanks for sharing this picture of your little chap. It is a great help to see the result of the guinepig after the operation. Your vet has made a lovely neat job with the stitches.
 
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