large hard cyst near vulva Jack Russell

Question
QUESTION: large hard cyst near vulva Jack Russell
JR is 4 years old.  No other health problems.
The knot or cyst is about three quarters of an inch around and has now been aspirated by the vet.  He does not know what it is.  He said maybe a brown recluse spider.  How can this be?  She has had none of the symptoms.

ANSWER: Hi Reva,

It could have been the spider bite as your vet thought, or it may have been a sebaceous cyst, or follicular cyst. These painless cysts are fairly common in dogs, and can occur anywhere on the body. They are small lumps of variable size that are benign. They develop in blocked sebaceous glands (skin oil glands).

I can't say if your dog was truly bitten by the spider or not. It's always possible that her symptoms were mild, and went unnoticed. Dogs can be pretty stoic about showing pain or discomfort.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help.

Best of luck,
Patti



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: After I wrote this to you, I researched the BR spider in depth and not one was without severe pain or some type of necrosis.  I squeezed this nodule and Sammy did not yelp.  Are you saying it could be another type of spider bite?  We are just wondering whether to continue with this vet who has now given at least two different diagnoses and still does not know what it is...yet is treating with steroids and some type of antibiotic. Do you recommend getting a second opinion?

Answer
Hi Reva,

Since I didn't see the cyst or nodule and I'm not a doctor, I can't say if it was a spider bite (or any kind), a mild reaction to a spider bite, or other insect, or a benign growth. I know the bite of a Brown Recluse Spider is usually quite painful, and the wound it leaves behind is serious looking. You wouldn't confuse a sebaceous cyst with the bite of a Brown Recluse Spider.

Usually, with a spider bite, there's a tiny spot in the center of the area where the bit occurred, like what a mosquito bite leaves.

Your dog is being treated with steroids to relieve inflammation, and the antibiotic will fight off infection. There's nothing out of the ordinary in this treatment. You shouldn't abruptly stop giving your dog any steroid medication. Dogs need to be slowly weaned off of steroids over a period of a few days.

If you are not satisfied with your current vet, by all means, have your dog examined by another doctor. The big question is, is your dog responding to the current treatment, even though the vet isn't really sure what the problem is? If she is, there's no harm in "staying the course". If however, your dog has been on the medication for a few days, and the area isn't showing signs of improvement, or looks worse, then don't put off having another doctor examine her.
I should mention that a sebaceous cyst would not respond to an antibiotic, or a steroid, and could re-fill with fluid after it was drained.

Best of luck,
Patti