Page 509 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Cutaneous Cysts 228.e3

Possible Complications
• Cysts may rupture, leading to inflammation,
VetBooks.ir • Retinoid therapy: keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Diseases and Disorders
secondary infection, and a foreign-body
reaction.
conjunctivitis, pruritus, hyperactivity, stiff-
ness, mucocutaneous junction, erythema,
vomiting, diarrhea, teratogenicity, and
elevated liver enzymes are possible risks.

Recommended Monitoring
Retinoids: monitor liver enzymes, tear
production.

PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME
Good to excellent

PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS
Comments
• Never squeeze a cyst firmly to evacuate it
because this increases the risk of inward cyst
rupture, leading to a foreign-body reaction
and secondary infection.
CUTANEOUS CYSTS Feline ceruminous cystomatosis. • If the client is concerned enough to present
the patient for examination of a skin mass,
benign neglect should not be encouraged.
compatible findings show sebaceous or Acute General Treatment Technician Tips
keratinous debris Options: “Interdigital cysts” are not cysts; they are areas
• Excisional biopsy and histopathologic • Acute rupture with infection may require of deep infection. Wear gloves, and disinfect
examination to determine specific cyst origin topical antimicrobial therapy before surgical equipment.
and rule out skin neoplasia excision.
• Observation without treatment SUGGESTED READING
TREATMENT • Ceruminous gland cysts in cats: surgical Hnilica KA, et al: Small animal dermatology: a color
excision, laser ablation, or chemical ablation atlas and therapeutic guide, ed 4, St. Louis, 2017,
Treatment Overview with trichloroacetic acid Elsevier, pp 469, 502-503.
Uncomplicated masses causing no pain or
discomfort to dog or distress to owner can be Chronic Treatment ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
managed by observation. Surgery is recom- Retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane) READING
mended for painful masses, infection, rupture 1-2 mg/kg q 12h PO or acitretin (Soriatane) Miller WH Jr, et al: Muller & Kirk’s Small animal
or repeated rupture, uncertainty about the 0.5-1 mg/kg PO q 12h may be helpful as dermatology, ed 7, St. Louis, 2013, Saunders, pp
diagnosis, owner who is distressed, or lesion in prophylactic therapy for multiple follicular cysts 825-827.
an area that will cause discomfort to the animal. after removal. Caution regarding teratogenicity
Histopathologic analysis is always recommended (human and animal) AUTHOR: Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVD
EDITOR: Manon Paradis, DMV, MVSc, DACVD
if surgical excision is performed. Widespread
follicular cysts may be impossible to excise due
to large numbers.

www.ExpertConsult.com