<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal>Sebaceous cysts are very common in bassets. They are
essentially clogged hair follicles. Some bassets seem to be more prone to them
than others and some seem to develop them as they get older. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The first line of defense is hands-on every day. As my
dogs spend time in my lap, I go over every inch of their bodies with my
hands. If I feel a little bump, I squeeze it and often can feel it burst
under the skin. This will be reabsorbed and often does not recur.
This is at the suggestion of my vet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>My second strategy is to take a “wait & see”
attitude. If the cyst doesn’t grow to be bigger than a quarter, it
isn’t inflamed or irritated, and it doesn’t bother the dog, then I
leave it alone. If it does increase in size, gets inflamed or irritated, I
have my vet drain aspirate it to decrease the size. Usually this is a
temporary measure, but occasionally the cyst disappears. If there is any
sign of infection, we try antibiotics before we go to option 3.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We have had to have them surgically removed due to size and
location (on the tail, along the spine, etc.). Some have been under
general anesthesia, usually in combination with another procedure (dental,
multiple cysts etc.) <b>That is my last option.</b> I have had dogs
that have had LARGE cysts cut out and stitched up using only lidocaine.
These were older dogs who were high surgical risks but had cysts had to be
removed due to location and condition.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I think that if the silver nitrate works, I would ask the
vet about using a local anesthetic (lidocaine) before doing it. The
lidocaine stings for a moment, but then numbs the area. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Just my experience and opinion.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Sandi Wittenberg<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Red Bay Bassets<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>