My dog has a toe cyst - what could this be? (picture)

[chefker]

My basset hound developed (overnight, it would seem) some kind of weird growth/cyst on one of his toes. Actually, I don't even remember seeing this in the morning - so I'm thinking maybe something stung or bit him during the day?

I have a couple pictures of it, not sure how clear they are. The toe in question is the one furthest to the right in the pictures here:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/chefker/DSC04173.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/chefker/DSC04172.jpg

Unfortunately I can't get him to the vet until Tuesday probably. DH is OOT all week, and I'm going to be running ragged getting DS to daycare and myself to work and all that fun. Is this something for which I should just take him to the emergency vet NOW? He's in no pain at all, and isn't even limping one bit, which surprised me. Still, I'm worried if this is an infection...I'd hate to let it fester. :(

If I absolutely have to, I will take 1/2 day off tomorrow and get him to the vet as soon as they can see him. I'm definitely worried...what the heck could this thing be? :confused:

[MLA]

Seems to me that if it were infected it'd look more red and that it would hurt when you apply pressure. And since he's not in pain and it's not near any vital organs, I'd be comfortable in waiting until Tuesday to take him to the vet. Keep an eye on it, though. Also, give your vet a call tomorrow and see if they think there's any reason he needs to be seen immediately.

[Katy]

is he even licking at it? I know Griffin will eat his foot if he could during allergy season. Could it maybe be an abscess?

[TerpsFan]

I have a basset hound/beagle mix so those little toes look very familiar. My dog has had an ingrown toenail problem before on that same back left foot, outside toe. We had a problem last year around Thanksgiving when we were out of town and received a call from the kennel saying that he was having a problem with his foot. We had only been gone for 2 days and he was absolutely fine when we dropped him off. It seemed to have developed overnight. Since we were away, I don't know exactly what his foot looked like right before he started limping on it but I do know the problem developed really quickly. The kennel took him to an e-vet where he got some antibiotics and we had to soak his foot in an iodine solution for about a week. So, I don't know exactly if that is what's happening with your pup but hopefully you'll get it resolved soon!

[kemorr]

I would definitely take your doggie in - it could be benign (abscess, sebaceous cyst, lipoma etc) or it could possibly be not so benign. There is one type of tumor (mast cell tumor) that can be very small and invisible, then swell and become large very quickly if bumped or irritated. However, benign or malignant, as long as you take him in sometime this week, it should be fine. Nothing to rush to the ER vet for. Goodluck - hopefully it is something easily fixed.

[chefker]

Thanks everyone, for weighing in. Well I did end up taking Ivan to the vet today - I ended up with a massive sinus headache, so I took a sick day today. Figured while I was home, I might as well call the vet and see what they said, and they did want me to bring Ivan in, since he started licking the thing nonstop just this morning.

The vet stuck a needle in the cyst and took out some of the 'stuff' to look at under the microscope. He said he found no signs of infection, and since my dog (and bassets in general) are prone to sebaceous cysts, it could be something like that - although this one is big, and usually they don't form near the toes. Or, it could even be that he banged it on something and stubbed his toe while running around - or one of us stepped on it. Lord knows he's always tripping us, I know myself and DH have accidentally stepped on his poor paws more than once!

The other possibility is a blood-based tumor (I didn't like the sounds of that :(), but the vet said to keep an eye on it - if it gets bigger, or interferes with Ivan walking, the vet will want to see him again to remove it.

For now, we monitor it, and put an anti-inflammatory cream on it 3 times a day.

[skyblu]

Aw, poor Ivan. :( Bassets are so sweet! I hope his toe gets all better soon.

[TerpsFan]

Thanks for the update. It's good to know. I'll make sure to keep an eye on my dog's feet if bassets tend to have problems like this and he's had a history of foot problems already. Hopefully yours on the road to recovery! He's so adorable...bassets crack me up!

[kemorr]

Not to second guess your vet or anything - but if he isn't really sure what it is, then I would be hesitant to only deal with it if it gets bigger or interferes with his walking. If it IS a tumor, the longer it is on there, the greater the possibility of spreading to the lymph node that drains the toes. And it can do that without necessarily growing in size in the local area. Although MOST blood based tumors are benign (hemangiomas) or low grade malignancies (hemangiosarcomas), there are blood based tumors that are more likely to spread and cause issues. Also, there are other tumors that can bleed a lot and thus be difficult to diagnose on an aspirate. So... if the anti-inflammatory cream doesn't clear it up within a week or so, I would be pushing your vet to get you a definitive on what it is, which will require a biopsy. That may or may not involve removing the whole lump, depending on your vet's approach. Goodluck!

[jesvet]

The vet did cytology, I'm sure they have a reasonable plan for a course of action.

[kemorr]

I don't want to start an argument or put her vet down or suggest that he/she isn't competent or anything along those lines. I just wanted to make sure that she, as an owner who obviously loves her dog, pursues this with her vet, even if it doesn't grow. We all know that cytology isn't very diagnostic in many types of tumors (benign or malignant) and I just wanted to point out that if it doesn't grow or cause him any physical/walking problems, it doesn't guarantee that it isn't a problem. I've had too many dogs referred to me in advanced stages of cancer because the owners have been told to "just watch it". Sorry if that means my advice comes from a different perspective. I was just recommending she follow her vet's next recommended step (removal or biopsy) if it doesn't go away, versus only if it gets bigger or starts to cause difficulty walking.

[jesvet]

No apologies needed. Good luck chefker!

[chefker]

Well it's been just about a week with this cream, and no change in size - not any bigger, but not any smaller either. DH thinks it's a bit smaller, but I don't see it.

Ivan's not in pain, however the cyst looks like it's turning darker. I'm freaking out a bit here - does that mean infection or gangrene? I'm calling the vet when they open today, to find out if I should bring him in.

[jesvet]

Inflammation can cause a change in color- it's hard to say exactly what is causing that, though.

If it's not going away, especially since it's changing in color, I'd definitely ask what the next step is! Keep us posted!

[chefker]

It's getting better! Ivan apparently re-stubbed his toe a BUNCH of times (he always seems to trip over his big paws when running up or down the deck stairs), but as of today it's maybe half the size it was, and NOT all dark looking. Hopefully it'll completely go away eventually, but it's shrinking right now anyway, so that's good!

[jesvet]

great news!