A Red Ring Around an Opening That Released Dark, Grainy Material
by A reader
Reader Question
12 year old Golden in good health except hip displasia lives in an urban environment with outdoor access restricted to lawn with trees has a lesion on the shoulder. No apparent hair loss. Donut shaped red mark about a 1/4 inch inside diameter surrounds a small pimple-like opening. However, if you squeeze the area, instead of pus coming out, a dark brown to black grainy material came out. It was not runny, just stuck together (about 1/4 inch long, but it was not firm.
Any clues what it could be?
Any clues what it could be?
Answer from Our Team
Dark brown to black grainy material that comes out of a small opening is typical of a dilated pore or follicular cyst, which is filled with old keratin and oil. The red ring around it is inflammation from the material leaking into the skin. These are common and benign.
Keep it clean and avoid squeezing it again, which can push material deeper and cause infection. Many of these fill up again, and if it keeps coming back or gets inflamed, your vet can remove it with a small procedure.
See your vet if it becomes swollen, painful, oozes pus or keeps growing.
See cysts on dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
