Is this a cyst?

[Debbie and Toby]

Toby sometimes gets these small white pimply bumps which we have been told are normal, and they usually go away on their own. This one started out the same, but got bigger. This is on his right hip. Went to the vet a couple weeks ago and they did an aspiration, said they didn't get much fluid out but sent a sample to the lab and to onocology. Nothing...and no cancer cells detected. The bump got bigger. They said it looks like a "warty growth". Said to keep an eye on it. Took him in again yesterday as he was biting at it drawing blood. They said the option would be to treat it with meds and see if it goes away or put him under anesthesia and remove it. They are hesitant  to put him under unless absolutely necessary as he has been having a lot of seizures lately and is on additional seizure meds right now. There is a hole in the middle and does not have any drainage. Yesterday they shaved the hair around it and cleaned it, and put an ointment on it. Looks a tad bit better today but still no difference in size. Is this a cyst? Has anybody here seen anything like this? I am really concerned, we have another appointment next week.

UPDATE: Toby is scheduled for "surgery" on January 31 to have the growth removed. It has grown quite a bit since this picture,  has gotten much wider and deeper, so they are not comfortable doing this with just a "local" anesthesia. They are also sending the "growth" out for analysis. Please keep him in your prayers.

[Phyllis & Duffy]

Took Duffy to the new vet.  They are cysts!  He said it is common in big older dogs and not to worry about them.   Thank goodness.  Duffy has also been in prednisone since 2011 when he was so sick.  We did blood work and will see if we can slowly ween him off of it.  That would be wonderful.  And as always, everyone on his staff just loved him.  They are such fun dogs.  So wonderful to have this site so we can share stories. 

[Debbie and Toby]

Phyllis, thanks for the update. Thank goodness you had it checked and it was cysts. Toby also gets them a lot but none have grown as much as this one did. Happy for Duffy!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It sounds like Duffy and the new vet are a good fit. 

[Phyllis & Duffy]

It was a WONDERFUL fit!!!