bump on hip, female lab mix

Question
My 10 year old female lab mix has had a bump on lower back, hip area for months. I always thought it was a small tumor, but today I was examining it and pushed a little and clear liquid began to ooze like squeezing a pimple.

Answer
Hi Traci,

It sounds as though your dog had a cyst, and it ruptured.

Keep the area clean, wash it at least once daily with a betadine rinse. You can "milk" the cyst, if it's still draining. Apply an antibiotic ointment.

Most ruptured cysts will heal with time but some do not. Once in a while the skin and/or subcutaneous tissues around the cyst will become infected and this can be a pretty significant problem. If the area doesn't look like it's healing well, or your dog is showing signs of pain you should have your dog examined by your vet.

Best of luck,
Patti