Warning - disgusting thing on dhorse's leg....

[frostyfingers]

Dhorse has had a little pea sized lump on the inside of his hock for about 4 months - if you press it, it feels a little like a blister or similar. When the vet looked at it, she said that it was probably a cyst and not to worry unless it changed in anyway.

It hasn't changed, but this morning whilst grooming him it started oozing. I squeezed and pressed and loads of white soft cheesy stuff came out, far more than pea sized. It didn't smell and towards the end turned slightly more bloody and watery. I hacked him out and then squeezed again and some more watery stuff came out, I have cleaned with hibiscrub and sprayed with antiseptic and was planning to squeeze it again this evening.

Any ideas what might have caused this? No foreign object appears to have come out, there has never been any heat or related swelling and it's never been sore to touch, even whilst I was prodding and squeezing earlier. I was planning to keep at it over the weekend and then if it's still producing stuff probably speak to the vet on Monday.

It was gross though, I have a strong stomach for most things, but was feeling just a little uneasy as it kept pouring out!

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Yukkity yuk yuk.

My Dad has a knee that does - but he has an infection and the manky stuff builds up over time then bursts.

I would be careful with the squeezing - can you poultice it? And I would definitely get the vet to check it out.

[frostyfingers]

It's in a really awkward position, I think any poultice will just slip down. I've had another look and it's not oozing or anything so I think I'll leave it and check whether it's filled up again tomorrow. It's so weird though, it's in complete isolation, a little raised pimply pea - no extra swelling or softness and no heat or tenderness which I'd expect if there was a residual infection.

[Ohbyethen]

Sounds like a sebaceous cyst (not truly sebaceous but..
) unless they abscessate then they commonly just have fatty/keratin contents which is a bit like drier cottage cheese, can be a bit granular. That's not infection itself but they can become infected or abscess and you generally won't be left in any doubt - swells, hot, painful band when it bursts it's foul smelling.

Have a Google, personally I wouldn't do anything about a burst cyst apart from preventing it getting infected unless it interfered with any structures, left a large hole or continued discharging which could be a sign of secondary infection. If you aren't sure it was normal cyst material or it's left a nasty wound call the vet for antibiotics. Also I don't squeeze once it's empty as you can bruise the tissue and get more serum.
Was it like a little capsule?

[Ohbyethen]

Also, sometimes cysts are removed surgically but if the lesion is small and heals into a little scar it may not be worth it. If it heals poorly then it may be excised.
You may just be able to ring for advice rather than have a specific visit. Horse cysts are usually bigguns & so already need draining but little ones don't usually need it. Ime, obviously it could be something else.

[frostyfingers]

When it came up it just sat proud like a little pea on the inside of his hock, and felt a bit like a blister to the touch - it didn't change size or start weeping, it just seemed to just squirt out (ugh). It's been there since about the end of October, early November and the vet poked it and said cyst, but didn't mention that it might burst or anything. I'll ring them on Monday I think and ask an opinion, I'm not overly worried, just revolted!

[Ohbyethen]

You're not a sporner then? I think half of MN would have paid you for a chance at cheesy keratin! But yes, slightly odd smelling, gritty cheese is a bit grim if you aren't expecting it

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I knew a fecking sporner would be along.

[Ohbyethen]

[frostyfingers]

Just one of those revolting things you have to deal with when you have animals, but not something I'd like to do regularly!

I bathed it with boiled salted water but didn't squeeze and resprayed with antiseptic, there's no heat or tenderness which is good.