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Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 01/10/2017Updated: 01/13/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
What are Sebaceous Cysts?
If your cat is bothered by their sebaceous cyst, or if it has become large, is oozing, or is at risk of rupturing, you should seek veterinary assistance for your cat. You should never attempt to treat your cat’s sebaceous cyst on your own as this can cause potentially harmful inflammatory responses in the surrounding tissues.
Sebaceous cysts can appear anywhere on the body of your cat, but most often occur on their trunk (chest and sides) or legs. These fluid-filled sacs are typically benign, meaning they are not cancerous, and do not cause much physical discomfort to your cat. Sebaceous cysts appear as raised bumps and are soft in feel. In some cases, sebaceous cysts can continue to grow until they rupture. When this occurs, infection may occur and your cat will need additional treatment.
Sebaceous Cysts Average Cost
From 453 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
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Symptoms of Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Sebaceous cysts may begin as small, raised portions of your cat’s skin. These bumps may be difficult to spot in early stages since your cat’s dense fur can mask their appearance. As they grow, cysts become more apparent and additional signs may appear. Symptoms of sebaceous cysts may include:
- Raised, fluid-filled bumps on your cat’s skin
- Oozing or ruptured bumps
- Excessive scratching or itching of the area
Causes of Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Sebaceous cysts in your cat are benign, harmless, and noncancerous fluid-filled sacs. These sacs occur when a hair follicle becomes damaged or clogged in your cat’s skin. When this happens, your cat’s immune system causes the surrounding tissues to wall off the damage, creating a small pocket that slowly fills with a yellowish substance called keratin, a substance commonly found in nails and fur. The sac becomes increasingly full of fluid over time. In some cats, the filling of the sac causes the cyst to stop growing. In other animals, the cyst will continue to grow until it ruptures and fluid leaks out.
Diagnosis of Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Diagnosis of sebaceous cysts in your cat will include a thorough physical exam in your vet’s office. Your veterinarian will go over your cat’s skin in a meticulous manner, checking approximate size and location of any bumps or raised portions of the skin. Sebaceous cysts often occur in multiples, and the size and number will help your vet determine the appropriate treatment method. You should provide your vet with an approximate timeline of the appearance of the cysts, along with any noticeable changes or growth. This will also help determine how aggressive the treatment should be for your pet’s cyst.
Because sebaceous cysts have a similar appearance to some cancer growths, your vet will likely want to perform a biopsy of your cat’s cyst to confirm it is benign and not a more serious condition. This will typically be done using a procedure called a fine needle aspiration and biopsy. For this procedure, your cat will not need to be sedated. Your vet will insert a sterile needle into your cat’s cyst and will collect a small amount of fluid and tissue to be sent to a lab. Your vet will do this individually with each cyst.
Treatment of Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Treatment of sebaceous cysts can take several forms, from conservative to aggressive management. In many cats, sebaceous cysts will not affect your pet and there will be no discomfort or interference with their daily lives. In these cases, where the cysts have remained the same size, your vet may advise to leave the cyst intact and in place as long as it is not bothersome to your cat. This is especially true for animals that are unfriendly and difficult to manage in a vet’s office or that may have complicating health conditions that make them poor candidates for surgical treatments.
In some cases, cysts may continue to recur and grow. These cysts will require more complicated surgery in order to completely remove the follicle and the cyst wall. Here your cat will need to undergo full anesthesia and stitches will be used to pull the skin together over the missing area that has been excised.
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Recovery of Sebaceous Cysts in Cats
Your cat has an excellent prognosis of recovery from removal of sebaceous cysts. While surgical follow-up will sometimes be needed, draining or other removal will not affect the long-term health or lifespan of your pet. You should work with your vet to discuss preventative measures for cysts such as supplementation with salmon or other healthy oils and regular brushing to support follicle health.
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Sebaceous Cysts Average Cost
From 453 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
Top
Sebaceous Cysts Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
tabby
Tabby
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cysts
Hi my cat had a cyst drained few months back but it come back days after is this
something to worry about she has had the lump for over 11 months all together
June 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Whether you need to worry depends on the location, size and type of cyst. Since I can't see Tabby, it would be a good idea to call the veterinarian where you had her treated previously and see if it is something that they would recommend treating again, or if you are okay to monitor the cyst.
June 12, 2018
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tabby
Tux
7 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Open Wound
My cat had a soft lump on the side of her face. I examined it and there were no puncture wounds and it did not seem to be painful. After some days she scratched it and it has burst. My plan is to take care of it at home. Any advice on what to wash it with and what medication to use on it. she is not a fully indoor cat so taking her to the vet will be trouble.
May 28, 2018
2 Recommendations
Without examining Tux, I can give only generalised advice and it may be a case that she may need antibiotics especially if there is a discharge developing or a fever. You should ensure that the area is completely clear of any discharge and free of dirt, debris etc… bathing with a dilute antiseptic would help and monitor it for any changes. But I would recommend that you visit your Veterinarian to be on the safe side. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 29, 2018
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Cat
Unknown
1 Year
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cysts
I have a stray that has finally let me start loving on it when I felt some large lumps on her belly.. they felt as big as golf balls.. and then I seen by her back leg she has one there and it looks like it has ruptured and there is an open sore.. I’ve never seen anything like it and I don’t have a lot of money especially seeing how it is a stray but I don’t want to see it suffering or get any worse.. so I was wondering what options I might have on getting her better or what I should do with the cat?
May 11, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
I'm not sure what might be causing those lumps, as it may be an infection, parasites, or cancer. Without seeing her I cannot determine the cause. If you are able to have her seen by a veterinarian, many clinics offer a 'free first exam' that would allow you to have her examined, and at least get a better idea as to what might be going on and if there are any simple treatments for her. I hope that she is okay.
May 11, 2018
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Tuxedo
Billy The Kid
13 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Oozing Liquid, Bad Odor, Fur Loss.
I think my cat has this type of lump. He now has 2 pockets in his head and both have exploded & one is still has a liquid oozing out it & bad order coming from it. He is also going bald on his head bc of his scratching of the affected areas. What do I do?
May 10, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Billy seems that he needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. I'm not sure what might be causing those lesions without examining him, but from your description, he needs medical attention. I hope that all goes well with him.
May 10, 2018
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Domestic Shorthair Tabby
Twinkle Toes
13 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hair Loss
Itching
Growths
I have rescued a 13 year old neutered male cat from a lady who was going to have him euthanized because of moving to a new home. I don't have the money to take him to the vet right now. I don't know much of his history although he has his rabies vaccine. He has a hard knot on the top back of his head and a knot that is less hard near his tail. The knots are about an inch wide and 3/4 inch tall. They don't seem to bother him and he is very happy and friendly. He does have itching and hair loss though on the lower back near the tail. He also has mild CH but that has nothing to do with anything. What could these be? I have had him for 2 months now and no changes in the knots. The lady I got him from had him outside because he makes a mess in the litter due to his CH and she said she didn't know when the appeared.
May 6, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining the two masses it is difficult to say what they are; tumours, abscesses, cysts, lipomas, injection site sarcomas or other types of masses may be the cause. I would recommend visiting a charity clinic or reaching out to a nonprofit (see link below) especially given the circumstances for assistance. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/
May 6, 2018
My cat has a cyst ...i think due to a hair cut she received...
It has a head on it..
Can I cut it myself to drain it
Will Epsom salts help get the cyst to shrink
It is in the middle of her tail...
It is benign
Will the Epsom help?
Aug. 13, 2018
Susan K.
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Russian Blue
Johnny
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
Johnny has gained a lump on his tail, he has had it for about 5 days now but it has gotten smaller since we saw it for the first time. We looked for a bite wound since sometimes he goes outside alone but we didn't find any. Does anyone know what it might be? And a friend of mine thought that it could be a cyst but if so would i be able to travel by plane with him, because we have a flight already scheduled. Thank you
Siberian
Ellis
3 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sleepiness
My cat has a lump on his jaw. The vet didn’t know what the bump was. I just noticed he’s starting to lack energy and has been sleeping a lot. He has no other bad symptoms but the jump seems to itch and is painful to the touch.
Hemingway
Troy
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My cat has what appears to be a cyst between his 'toes' not on the pad of his paw, it is not red or oozing. he is not licking it, it's just there. It doesn't seem to be bothering him. do we do anything?
Bengal
Momma kitty cleo
5 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cyst
She has a big red lump on her hind leg she is licking it like crazy it's oozing blood but very little what can I do to help her my vet told me it was a cyst and it is benign
Sebaceous Cysts Average Cost
From 453 quotes ranging from $200 - $800
Average Cost
$500
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
