A Ruptured Cyst Draining Over a Holiday Weekend

A cyst that has burst and is draining is usually not an emergency, so if your dog is otherwise bright, eating and comfortable, it's generally reasonable to care for it at home until your clinic opens. Gently rinse the area with lukewarm water or a sterile saline wound wash, then pat it dry. Don't squeeze it: squeezing can push the cyst's contents deeper into the skin and make the inflammation worse. Skip harsh household antiseptics, which can damage healing tissue.

The most important thing is to stop licking and scratching. A cone (e-collar), a soft recovery collar or a loose T-shirt over the area can help. If the spot is easy to cover, a light, non-stick dressing held loosely in place is fine, but don't wrap it tightly. Some bloody, cheesy or greyish discharge is common for a few days.

Call or go to the nearest 24-hour emergency vet, even if it's further away, if the bleeding doesn't stop with 5 to 10 minutes of gentle pressure, the area becomes very swollen, hot or painful, the redness spreads, there's thick, foul-smelling pus, or your dog seems unwell, won't eat or is lethargic. Many emergency hospitals stay open on holidays, and most will tell you over the phone whether your dog needs to come in.

When your clinic opens, have it checked. Burst cysts often heal, but they can fill up again. Removing the whole cyst, including its lining, is what usually stops it coming back. See cysts on dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.