Options for sebacious cyst in an old pig?

[Freela]

So last summer, we noticed that Leela had a lump around her genitals. Around the same time, she was diagnosed with an ovarian mass that the vet thought was malignant, so we didn't worry about the cyst. However, Leela's cyst ended up rupturing or reabsorbing and was decided to be likely not malignant, 10 months later we still have Leela (now 6 years and 4 months), and this likely cyst is now a pretty large lump beside her genitals that often gets wet and dirty (though I give her bum baths reguarly and the skin itself still looks healthy and fine.)

So... given that she is an old girl, I'm not sure if I should try to tackle the cyst or not. I'm trying to find a vet that will try to empty it out without a general anesthesia, but so far no luck. I am really hesitant to give an old, slightly frail girl a general anesthetic for something that may never rupture or be a problem. But I'm worried if she gets up towards 7 that it could rupture and need care at an even older age. I would hate to lose her doing something elective in her old age when she is happily trucking along.

Any experience removing a sebaceous cyst in an oldie? Or just leaving it alone and seeing what happens? Anyone having these issue treated without a general anesthesia?

 

[piggl]

I cant offer any advice but will bump you up and wish you and Leela all the best x

 

[Lady Kelly]

I'm sorry, my experience isn't too similar to this. I had an old boy with a sebaceous cyst but it was on his back so even when it burst (just a tiny hole letting some pus out) I just cleaned it regularly to stop any infection getting in and kept him comfortable. With its location it was nothing like what your girl has.

The only advice I can offer is, if you trust your vet then let them guide you. Ask them outright what their gut feeling would be on the best option if it were their pet. Make it clear that you won't be holding them to what they say/ suing them if you go down that route and later feel that isn't the best option.

I did this with my most recent male (non sebaceous cyst) as they didn't know whether what was going on was sinister or not and the vet said in all honesty she wouldn't operate on her pet given the location of the mass because it was risky surgery and, even if it did come back as sinister, there would be nothing more that could be done (given location and x-rays it was likely something sinister). He had responded well to pain relief so we decided on pain relief until he had had enough.

I will always be grateful for her honesty. There is a small chance they could have operated, removed the mass and found it benign of course but sometimes we have to put some trust in the experts and try to make the decision based on what's best for the piggie and not just what gets us the most time with them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi
My Tesni 'Sun-warmed' was 6 years old when a smaller sebaceous cyst right next to her genitals burst and got infected. She had a removal successful operation. The recovery was not quite as quick as in younger piggies but she lived for nearly another year to celebrate her 7th birthday.

My Hafren 'Sabrina/Severn' was just short of her 7th birthday when a large sebaceous cyst on her back (which we'd been monitoring for 2 years) put on a sudden growth spurt and burst while my experienced operating vet were on summer holidays.
Because the cyst turned out to have a more uncommon thick fleshy coat and also fleshy inclusions, it started bleeding profusely when it was squeezed out at my local general vets, which raised potential cancer concerns. Thankfully, the cancer didn't manifest and Hafren did survive her operation to live several months more. But it was a bit of an anxious month until she could be seen, operated and was fully recovered again.

The location is certainly a major concern, especially if the cyst continues to grow and burst because of the constant mechanical abrasion and the high infection risk. It the kind of situation where keeping your fingers firmly crossed is not working out and you have to make some hard decisions.

All best, whichever way you decide.

HUGS