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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
Bombay
Wookie
7 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cysts
My cat has developed cyst all along her back thighs that burst and drained thick gum like pus that required a trip to the vet Three months ago. We have been fighting this infection and no one seems to be able to tell me what it is. So far we have tried different antibiotics, ointments, sprays, and anti fungal pills but nothing seems to work. She keeps developing cysts in different parts of her body. The latest has been one between her shoulder blades that was about the size of a golf ball before it burst and drained thick white gummy substance all over her. When I attempted to clean it up it came up in sticky bits that pulled until they snapped. I'm desperate for any form of help.
So far the vet tested for MRSA and cancer but both came up clean, one believe it could possibly be an autoimmune disease that could be treated with immune suppresent medication while the other would like to cauterize each individual wound, and the final one (all three in the same practice) thinks it could be a simple fungal infection. We keep returning every two weeks and still no solution has been found.
My cat is covered by these and has lost some weight since this ordeal started. Have you ever heard of a cyst like the ones my cat is experiencing?
March 6, 2018
1 Recommendations
Whilst all three theories by your Veterinarians seem plausible, I would be siding more on infection than autoimmune disease; I would have thought however if a sample was taken to test for MRSA they would have also submitted a panel for culture and sensitivity to attempt to identify any bacterial or fungal infection present. Other causes like contact allergies and irritants are possible, but I don’t think that is the cause in this case; another possible course of action would be to have a biopsy sample taken of one of the lesions at the margin to see if a Histopathologist can identify what is happening on a cellular level. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 6, 2018
Hello! Is it possible for cysts to drain beneath the skin rather than coming to a head and popping externally? My cat has a cyst I think that sometimes shrinks down and feels like jelly then fills back up. Thanks
March 9, 2018
Tressa S.
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Domestic shorthair
Taya
9 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lump That "Burst" Pink Matter
Hello, I am not sure what type of growth is on my cat's back about 3 inches behind her left shoulder. It started out as a little growth that is the same color as her skin. Perhaps she scratched it but it did "burst" with some sort of thick pink-like matter and some blood. She has another lump at the base of her tail that looks the same but has not "burst" since she can't get to it. My vet saw it before it burst. What could it be? It healed and refilled with this pink matter. What could it be?
March 3, 2018
1 Recommendations
It is possible that these could be sebaceous cysts which will rupture and drain themselves, you just need to keep them clean when they do rupture; sometimes they will heal after rupturing and other times surgical removal may be required. Without examining them, I cannot say whether they are sebaceous cysts or another lesions like a pustule or something else; you should return to your Veterinarian now one has ruptured for another examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 3, 2018
Thank you so much for your help! I am a current student so funds are tight but her best interest is my priority.
March 3, 2018
Taya's Owner
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Dlh
Raja
11 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Cysts
My cat has had a benign cyst for about a year. It started off smaller than a pea and started getting a bit bigger which is when our vet told us it was benign after testing. It has grown to half the size of a ping pong ball but doesn't bother him, it's on the back of his shoulder. Today I noticed a scan and when parting his for I must have pressed on it and it started oozing thick red goop. I called the vet and they said it's no emergency and to clean it with peroxide then decide if I should bring him in. After cleaning it it's much smaller, o trimmed the hair and am hoping it goes well. Is there anything else I can do? Things I should watch out for? Should he be seen by a vet for this, and if so how urgently?
March 1, 2018
1 Recommendations
Clipping the fur around it and bathing the area regularly is important, I would prefer chlorhexidine over peroxide but either is suitable; see if it continues to ooze anything, if not keep an eye on it and keep it clean, if it continues to ooze visit your Veterinarian as medical or surgical management may be required. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 1, 2018
Thank you very much!!!
March 2, 2018
Raja's Owner
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Siamese/tabby
Maxime
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Seizures
Hair Loss
Antisocial
Biting At Body
Hi! My cat has been declining in health, losing weight, having seizures, and not grooming. She will also fall asleep, and we will think she is dead because she doesn’t wake up to us shaking, petting, or even picking her up. Here lately she has been perched up on our window, and she’ll fall up to 15 times a day. We noticed blood on the window as well as what looked like two giant cysts (water filled sacks). She has been chewing at her legs crazy here lately too. What could cause all this in a cat? Is this something fixable?
Feb. 24, 2018
0 Recommendations
You should visit your Veterinarian as there is something more complex going on here than Maxime chewing her legs; falling repetitivity from the window, seizures and the deep sleep are all concerning neurological issues which need to be addressed. I cannot examine Maxime so I cannot make a diagnosis or recommend any treatment especially in a severe case like this. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 24, 2018
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part mancoon
Murphy
15 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Foul Smell
My cat has some type of infection in between his toes. I have been noticing an odor when he sits next to me but just figured out it was coming from his paw. Could the smell be coming from a cyst eruption? I noticed a small bump. He is eating fine and doesn't seem to be bothered by it. I am taking him to the vet on Monday but just want to make sure it is not an emergency. Thank you
Jan. 14, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If he is eating and drinking, and seems comfortable, and this doesn't seem to be a sudden onset thing, you should be fine waiting until Monday. I can't examine Murphy, but from your description is seems that this has been going on for a little while. If he seems uncomfortable, or is suddenly lame, you might want to get him in sooner. I hope that he does well.
Jan. 14, 2018
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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.
