Cysts in cats

Cysts in cats are common. These lumps are not tumours but often grow. They are mostly seen in cats older than 5 years of age, but any age or breed can be affected.

Cysts are hollow, non-cancerous growths that can appear under the skin and often contain a thick grey or yellowish discharge. Do not attempt to pop or squeeze a cyst. This can cause more irritation and infection, leading to more discomfort for your cat. Talk to a vet for advice if your cat develops a new lump.

Overview

What is a cyst?

Cysts are hollow pockets on the skin that contain liquid or hardened discharge.

The discharge may be made up of natural body secretions like sebum (the oily waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands or sweat) or dead cells, keratin and hair.

They can typically be found on the head, legs, and tail.

There are several types of cysts, including:

hair follicular cysts
sebaceous cysts

In most cases, the cause of cysts is unknown. But skin injury, infection, chronic inflammation from allergies and other skin conditions may result in a blockage and lead to a cyst forming.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cysts in cats

You might notice some or all of the following in your cat:

One single or multiple growths
Scabbing/crusting on the surface of the skin
Red skin or swelling around the cyst
Thick grey or yellow discharge
In some cases, scratching or biting at the area

Risk

Cats at risk of cysts

Hairless breeds, like the Sphynx cat and Devon Rex, can be more prone to cysts.
Cats that suffer from skin diseases and continuous injury to the skin can be prone to cysts.

Diagnosis

How are cysts diagnosed in cats?

Your vet will examine the growth and check for size, shape and consistency.

To help rule out any other conditions, such as abscesses, infectious diseases, tumours and autoimmune diseases, your vet may recommend the following:

Fine Needle Aspirate or FNA fine needle aspiration test for cytology: a small needle is used to collect a sample of the lump.
Surgical removal and biopsy: a bigger chunk of the lump is collected during surgery.

Vet treatment

Vet treatment for cysts in cats

In general, cysts only require treatment if they are bothering your cat.

Your vet might recommend one or more of the following, based on your cat’s specific needs:

Home monitoring: for cysts that do not cause discomfort and have not ruptured.
Topical antiseptics: wipes, liquids or gels.
Topical antibiotics: an ointment or cream may be recommended for minor irritations or small ruptured cysts.
Oral antibiotics: tablets or liquids by mouth may be prescribed in the case of larger ruptured cysts or before surgical removal if necessary.
Surgical removal: may be recommended for large cysts, cysts that have ruptured repeatedly, or cysts that are causing your cat discomfort. Unfortunately, surgery only removes the existing cyst and does not prevent future cysts from forming.

Home treatment

Home care for cysts in cats

After confirmation from your vet that the growth is a cyst:

Monitor the lump every couple of weeks or more often if it’s causing discomfort to your cat.
If your cat is itchy or trying to bite it, use a buster collar to prevent further damage.
If the lump looks like it’s oozing, you can clean it with saline (1 teaspoon salt in 500 ml of cooled, boiled water). This can be done 2-3 times daily for the first few days.
- If the itching or the oozing does not improve in 24 hours, contact a vet.

Prevention

How to prevent cysts in cats from getting infected or worsen

There is no way to prevent cysts from appearing. But we can indeed prevent further infection and further damage. Follow the home care tips to prevent further damage.
Cysts can easily be mistaken for more nasty growths, such as tumours. Always have your vet confirm that the growth is a cyst.

When to worry