er?

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. There are special shampoos (such as those containing benzoyl peroxide) you can use to keep the follicles flushed and these may help to reduce the recurrence rate of these and a fatty acid supplement could help to improve her skin balance also. It is probably uncomfortable to have these expressed

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Should You Pop Your Dog`s Cyst? No, please do not pop it. Squeezing the cyst can force its contents into the surrounding tissue, where it sets up a foreign body reaction, resulting in swelling and inflammation.
The signs of an abscess include a soft swelling, often with drainage of green, yellow, or even bloody pus from the infected site. It`s common for a dog with an abscess to develop a fever, act lethargic, lose appetite, or become reluctant to move or have the area touched. A veterinarian will drain and flush the abscess.
Flush out the wound with saline solution dispensed from a syringe. Several times a day, clean the area around the abscess with saline in a syringe to avoid disturbing inflamed and painful skin, or by wiping with a saline-soaked piece of gauze and very gently wiping away from the wound opening.
Sebaceous cyst removal via surgery is the most effective type of treatment. This is especially the case if the cyst has ruptured or has become infected. The cyst can be cut out using an incision or removed via a surgical laser. Most veterinary dermatology specialists are able to remove cysts with a laser.
The most common treatment for cysts is surgical removal. If available, laser treatment is useful for sweat gland cysts. Medical (topical) treatment of multiple small follicular cysts may be helpful. Other treatments may be needed to address the primary (or underlying) causes.
Veterinarians may opt to use a needle to drain the fluid from these vessels, although sometimes, it will be necessary to perform a procedure known as `open drainage` on the cyst, or surgical removal.
A strange swelling or lump on your pet`s body may be an abscess. Abscesses may hide under your pet`s fur and be hard to spot. If the abscess bursts, you may see oozing pus on your furry friend`s body or smell a bad odor. Abscesses can also form deep inside the body where they can`t be seen.
There may be a discharge of pus from the site. Your dog may stop eating or may act lethargic or depressed, which are all signs of a fever. Abscesses can be very serious if left untreated. The abscess should be lanced, drained, and cleaned (which will require local or general anesthesia).
If your dog`s cyst is draining, be sure to keep the surrounding skin clean and dry. If your dog`s cyst becomes infected, your veterinarian will usually prescribe oral antibiotics. Warm compressing several times a day will help the infection drain.
Whatever type of lump you find on your dog, it`s always a good idea to have a vet check it out as soon as possible. Cysts might not be life-threatening, but they can cause problems as they grow or if they become infected.
It is usually a sebaceous cyst that bursts and the insides can be a grey or white liquid and can even look a bit like cottage cheese. While there will be some mild discomfort, most dogs cope well with burst cysts.
Sebaceous cysts typically don`t go away on their own. Some dogs may develop multiple sebaceous cysts,” Dr. McCullough says. Finding a lump or bump on your pup can be overwhelming, but knowing to get help from your veterinarian as soon as possible will put your dog on the right treatment track.
Veterinarians may opt to use a needle to drain the fluid from these vessels, although sometimes, it will be necessary to perform a procedure known as `open drainage` on the cyst, or surgical removal.
True cysts, especially those that form in the sweat gland, are common in dogs and cats, particularly on the eyelids. Follicular cysts are dilated hair follicles containing fluid or dark-colored cheesy material. They are prone to becoming infected (pyoderma).
Although basal cell tumors are benign, they can be large and may cause extensive ulceration and secondary inflammation. These tumors can break the skin, cause the death of skin tissue, and drain fluid or pus. The dog is often uncomfortable.
A sebaceous cyst is essentially a large pimple on your pet`s skin. These superficial bumps are clogged oil glands in the skin that are harmless to your pet, although they can become inflamed and sore if they rupture.
Occasionally, a ruptured abscess will bleed, the extent of which depends on how large the skin abscess is. Applying pressure over the abscess for a couple of minutes after cleaning and disinfecting can help control the bleeding. If the bleeding is profuse, it`s best to bring your dog to a vet as soon as possible.
What to Do if a Dog`s Mast Cell Tumor Bursts. Some mast cell tumors may become ulcerated or bleed. While this can be messy and may be painful, it is usually not an emergency. Cover the tumor with a light bandage until your dog can be seen by your veterinarian.
What should I clean the wound with? Warm tap water is recommended for cleaning most wounds. Warm saline (salt solution) may also be used. This may be made by adding approximately one level teaspoonful (5 mL) of salt (or Epsom salts) to two cups (500 mL) of water.
Most abscesses are treated on an outpatient basis, rather than in the hospital. The key is to remove the pocket of pus, either surgically, or by draining and flushing. If a foreign object caused the abscess, it is critical to ensure that it be removed or the abscess will return.
If your dog gets an abscess, it is important to take them to the vet very quickly so that it can be treated before it gets too big. If abscesses are left untreated they will grow (and get very large) until they burst either breaking the skin or into the body which can infect the blood or other tissues.
A wound that`s healing can produce a clear or pink fluid. An infected wound can produce a yellowish, bad-smelling fluid called pus.
Avoid touching, pushing, popping, or squeezing the abscess because that can spread the infection to other parts of the skin, making things worse.
Hot compress

Simple heat is the most recommended and effective home measure for draining or shrinking cysts. Here`s how it works: Heat may reduce the thickness of liquid in the cyst. In the case of liquid-filled epidermoid cysts, this may help fluid drain quicker into the lymphatic system.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. My cat is excessively scrstching herself., to the point she has sores. She is strictly an indoor cat. Did have flees been treated for 2 months
ANSWER : A. For every flea you see on your pet, there are 100 more in the environment. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.

You need to treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.

Treat your yard too, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.

If chemicals are a problem, you can use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won’t hurt you or your pet to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren’t as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.

You might want to consider boarding your pet for the day at your vet, to give you the opportunity to flea bomb your house without having to worry about your pet being exposed. They can bathe your pet and give a dose of Capstar while you treat your home.

Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the flea life cycle.

Skin problems can have a variety of causes, sometimes more than one. It is important to have the problem checked by your vet to determine if there is a medical cause for your pet’s skin issues and treat accordingly.

In pets of all ages, fleas, food allergies and exposure to chemical irritants such as cleaners and soaps can be a cause. Any one of these may not be enough to trigger the breakouts, depending on how sensitive your pet is, but a combination can be enough to start the itch-scratch cycle. Finding out the cause and eliminating it is the best course of action. With flea allergies, if your pet is sensitive enough, a single bite can cause them to break out scratch enough to tear their skin.

Check for fleas with a flea comb. Look for fleas and/or tiny black granules, like coarse black pepper. This is flea feces, consisting of digested, dried blood. You may find tiny white particles, like salt, which are the flea eggs. Applying a good topical monthly flea treatment and aggressively treating your house and yard will help break the flea life cycle.

If you use plastic bowls, this is a possible cause for hair loss, though this tends to be on the chin, where their skin touches the bowl while they eat. If you suspect this to be the culprit, try changing the bowls to glass, metal or ceramic.

Food allergies are often caused by sensitivity to a protein in the food. Hill’s Science Diet offers some non-prescription options for sensitive skin as well as prescription hypoallergenic foods for more severe cases. Royal Canin carries limited protein diets that may also offer some relief. Your vet can recommend a specific diet that will help.

If there is no relief or not enough, consider getting your pet checked by a veterinary dermatologist and having allergy testing done.

Q. How do I FINALLY rid all 4 of my cats of tapeworms after 2 years of dealing with it? Fleas seem to be controlled. I know they are the vector.
ANSWER : A. If your cats keep getting tapeworms, then they are picking up fleas from somewhere. Fleas will hitch a ride on your pant leg from outside.

Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.

You need to treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.

Treat your yard too, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.

You can also use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won’t hurt you or your pet to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren’t as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.

You might want to consider boarding your pet for the day at your vet, to give you the opportunity to flea bomb your house without having to worry about your pet being exposed. They can bathe your pet and give a dose of Capstar while you treat your home.

Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the life cycle.

Q. My pug gets these “cyst”. I can express pus and then blood from them. I keep them clean. Vet said to keep them under control. Am I hurting her?
ANSWER : A. There are special shampoos (such as those containing benzoyl peroxide) you can use to keep the follicles flushed and these may help to reduce the recurrence rate of these and a fatty acid supplement could help to improve her skin balance also. It is probably uncomfortable to have these expressed

Q. Need help, we have done flea bath ,sprayed the house and used charts ultra guard pro and still have fleas .how can we get rid of them
ANSWER : A. For every flea you see on your pet, there are 100 more in the environment. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.

You need to treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.

Treat your yard too, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.

If chemicals are a problem, you can use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won’t hurt you or your pet to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren’t as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.

You might want to consider boarding your pet for the day at your vet, to give you the opportunity to flea bomb your house without having to worry about your pet being exposed. They can bathe your pet and give a dose of Capstar while you treat your home.

Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the flea life cycle.

Q. My dogs were given Hartz ultrguard seven days ago. Can they be given frontline now because they still have fleas
ANSWER : A. In flea control, you get what you pay for. I would wait one more week before applying another product.

For every flea you see on your pet, there are 100 more in the environment. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.

You need to treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.

Treat your yard too, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.

If chemicals are a problem, you can use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won’t hurt you or your pet to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren’t as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.

Q. My 13 year old male cat is acting lethargic & doesn’t seem to be feeling well. I don’t know what’s wrong except that he has fleas. Can too many fleas
ANSWER : A. Excessive fleas can cause anemia in cats, left untreated, this can be life-threatening. I recommend getting your cat seen by your vet right away for his illness. For every flea you see on your pet, there are 100 more in the environment. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours.

You need to treat your home. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up.

Treat your yard, since fleas will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot.

If chemicals are a problem, you can use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won’t hurt you or your pet. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way. These treatments aren’t as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help.

Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the flea life cycle.

Q. My cat has a cyst close to his eye. Is there any way to treat this sebaceous cyst?
ANSWER : A. If the cyst is causing problems with sight or having your cat open his eye, it is best to have examined by a vet. Cysts can be drained to help the swelling go down, however cysts can return after drainage. In some cases of returning cysts, surgical removal may be needed to permanently keep the cyst from returning. Keeping the eye clean and free of debris will also help prevent any infection from forming if the cyst allows dirt or debris to stay close to the eye.

Q. Has not eaten in 2 days. Noticed a little blood on the fur on her butt. What can I do?
ANSWER : A. Blood near the rear can be caused by a number of things. Bright red blood in the stool or around the anus can indicate a problem with the colon or anal region such as constipation, tears, illness or problems with the anal glands.

Blood that is dark or black in the stool can indicate a problem with the upper intestines such as the stomach or small intestine. This is usually considered more serious than bright red stool, however any blood seen is cause for concern. If the blood is seen more than once or twice, making a vet appointment is a must.

If your dog is not eating and is having blood in either her stool or vomit, making an appointment with your local vet is best. Illness, digestive upset or problems with internal organs can all cause these symptoms. In the mean time, a bland diet of plain boiled chicken and plain white rice may help to soothe minor digestive upset until you can get into the vet.