My 9 y/o akita Misty went to the vet today to have surgery to remove a cyst. About a month ago, the vet drained fluid from the cyst, and said if it comes back, he would surgically remove it. At the time, it was too large to be removed.
Well, when it started to come back, it grew pretty quick. So I scheduled her to have to surgery this morning. Last Thursday, I drained the cyst myself. Since I am a nurse, and had the supplies left from treatments we did on our horse last summer, I felt very comfortable doing this.
Well, I dropped Misty off this morning, before the vet was in the office. He just called back, to say he prefers a more conservative approach than surgical removal of the lump. He will lance it, place a Penrose drain in, and allow it to heal from the inside out. The drain will need to stay in place for 72 hours, and I'll have to clean it with peroxide, etc. Since it is up on her neck, below her ear, I think she will leave it alone and let it heal.
I am so excited! She will just have a local sedative, rather than being put all the way out!
Well, when it started to come back, it grew pretty quick. So I scheduled her to have to surgery this morning. Last Thursday, I drained the cyst myself. Since I am a nurse, and had the supplies left from treatments we did on our horse last summer, I felt very comfortable doing this.
Well, I dropped Misty off this morning, before the vet was in the office. He just called back, to say he prefers a more conservative approach than surgical removal of the lump. He will lance it, place a Penrose drain in, and allow it to heal from the inside out. The drain will need to stay in place for 72 hours, and I'll have to clean it with peroxide, etc. Since it is up on her neck, below her ear, I think she will leave it alone and let it heal.
I am so excited! She will just have a local sedative, rather than being put all the way out!