One of my male piggies has suffered from recurring sebaceous cysts for the last year or so (He is 4-5 years old).
The first 2 he had were easy to deal with at home (squeezing them when they were 'ready' so that they didn't burst, then cleaning them afterwards etc.) but then I noticed a third huge one that had already burst, on his scent gland area. This one was beyond anything I could do myself so we had it surgically removed by the vet. I continued to regularly drain the other couple of cysts myself, but I've recently noticed that one has appeared on his scent gland again and I don't think there is any point having it operated on if it just returns, I'm just trying to keep it at bay myself.
Anyway, I know there's really not much else I can do as it's just one of those things that happens and there's no cure, but is there anything anyone can suggest that might be causing the cysts/anything that could prevent them further developing? Also, can someone tell me if there is some sort of numbing spray or lotion I could buy that would be safe to use on him? The process of draining the cysts is very painful and uncomfortable for him and I just feel so awful knowing I'm causing it, but obviously it's something I will have to do for the rest of his life and if there is anything that would make it more bearable for him that would be amazing.
The first 2 he had were easy to deal with at home (squeezing them when they were 'ready' so that they didn't burst, then cleaning them afterwards etc.) but then I noticed a third huge one that had already burst, on his scent gland area. This one was beyond anything I could do myself so we had it surgically removed by the vet. I continued to regularly drain the other couple of cysts myself, but I've recently noticed that one has appeared on his scent gland again and I don't think there is any point having it operated on if it just returns, I'm just trying to keep it at bay myself.
Anyway, I know there's really not much else I can do as it's just one of those things that happens and there's no cure, but is there anything anyone can suggest that might be causing the cysts/anything that could prevent them further developing? Also, can someone tell me if there is some sort of numbing spray or lotion I could buy that would be safe to use on him? The process of draining the cysts is very painful and uncomfortable for him and I just feel so awful knowing I'm causing it, but obviously it's something I will have to do for the rest of his life and if there is anything that would make it more bearable for him that would be amazing.
