Cyst on Pet’s Neck Needs Attention of a Doctor

Q: My dog is 9 and has a small (about one inch in diameter) swelling filled with fluid on her neck where her collar is. What usually causes it? Is it likely to get larger and cause symptoms? Can it become a malignancy and, if so, are treatments for dogs similar to humans? Is the collar likely to make the problem worse, even though it fits her very loosely and she runs freely in the yard without a rope or leash? Before I take her to a vet, can you tell me how often vets would ask me to bring her back for monitoring the cyst or whatever it is? At her age, I don’t want to put her through a lot of unpleasant, painful or traumatic times.

J.K.C., Santa Ana

A: fluid-filled swelling or cyst on your dog’s neck should definitely be checked and removed surgically by your veterinarian. Once this mass is removed, your pet’s doctor will probably have it tested for a biopsy and identification, especially if you are concerned about it being malignant. Most such cysts are benign and from problems with the sebaceous glands of the skin. However, in older pets it would be wise to be sure.

It would take one day to have your dog examined by your veterinarian and surgery performed. Any external sutures or stitches will need to come out about two weeks after the surgery.

Until you have this mass checked, you might want to avoid using a collar that may cause irritation or rupture of the cyst. A harness that fits over the chest would be easier to use. Don’t wait until this mass gets larger or infected, making it more difficult to deal with.

Q: Is it necessary to get my two puppies wormed, even though I haven’t seen any worms in their droppings? I was told by the lady who gave them to me that they need to be wormed right away and that most puppies are born with worms. Is this true?

Pamela Vernor, Santa Ana

A: Even though many puppies do develop various worms, it is recommended that you have a sample of their stools processed and examined by your veterinarian to see whether your pups have worms and, if so, what types are present. In some cases, an infected female can pass larval forms of different worms to the puppies before they are born. If young pups of different litters are kept together, there can be contact with contaminated stools, which will cause infection of the other pups.

When you take your puppies to have their vaccinations and examinations by your vet, bring along a stool sample to be checked. Unnecessary medication should be avoided.