Benign Cysts in Bloodhounds

Health problems are scary and uncomfortable for both you and your bloodhound. Cysts, nodules found throughout different areas of the body, are one health problem common to the bloodhound. Cysts may be large or small, internal or external, cancerous or benign -- non-cancerous. Even benign cysts, however, require treatment and care to keep your dog healthy and safe.

  1. Types

    • Cysts affect different bloodhounds in different areas. Bloodhounds have oilier skin than other dogs, making sebaceous and sweat gland cysts a common ailment. The folds and droops in a bloodhound's eyes may be prone to eyelid cysts. Female bloodhounds are often diagnosed with cysts in their reproductive tract. Symptoms of the cysts include visible swelling of the cyst or area around the cyst, bleeding, misshapen or painful body parts and blood in the urine in the case of reproductive cysts.

    Causes

    • Cysts are caused by various reasons depending on the type of cyst. A bloodhound's skin produces excessive sebum and when it blocks hair follicles, sebaceous or sweat gland cysts occur. Excessive growth of skin cells or dry skin around the eyes may cause eyelid cysts. Reproductive cysts, as well as most other cysts, are often the result of breed characteristic and heredity. No one cause of cysts exists, only a list of possibilities.

    Treatment

    • Though benign cysts in a bloodhound are not cancerous, they still require veterinary care. A veterinary examination determines the most likely cause of the cysts, how large the cysts are and may become, whether or not the cysts need removal and the best possible course of action regarding discomfort resulting from the cyst. A biopsy determines whether the cysts are truly benign or more dangerous. Medications may be prescribed either orally or topically to prevent infection of a cyst that has been disturbed by the dog or surgically removed. The cysts need to be checked regularly at home to observe progress or whether further treatment may be necessary. Usually in the case of benign cysts, no treatment is necessary beyond the examination.

    Warning

    • A benign cyst diagnosis is no guarantee that new cysts are also benign. Have each and every cyst your bloodhound develops checked by a veterinarian to prevent losing your dog to cancer. An annual check-up or even a check-up every six months allows your veterinarian to examine your bloodhound for any internal cyst development and keep an eye on the benign cysts that have already been diagnosed. When in doubt about any growth on your bloodhound, even benign ones, have it checked out and be safe rather than sorry.