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My shih-tzu has a sudden red bump on her head. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | 4 years and 5 months old | 8 lbs

My shih-tzu, Sophie, has a hard bump on top of her head. Above the eye & ear. It had to appear suddenly, she snuggles next to me constantly. I always check for anything different. Found it yesterday, my Vet is out of town. Others won't see her until next Fri. It was hard, skin colored, perfectly round, about 1/2 cm diameter, & above the skin about 1/4 cm. I cut the hair around it, cleaned it, & used Neosporin. Later, it looked like clear liquid came out. It seems a bit flatter now, but red. HELP

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Maria DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 24th, 2017

I wouldn't worry about having an appointment until next Friday or when your veterinarian comes back into town. The way you described what happened sounds like a possible cyst the rupture and is now red and irritated (when looking at the pictures) I would definitely leave it be and if it gets larger and irritated or there is pus coming out I would try to get an appointment somewhere else but if is stays like this or becomes the color of Sophie's skin again waiting until next Friday would be fine. If it is definitively a cyst they do not have to be removed unless they keep breaking open or you want them removed. They have to be surgically removed and the capsule of the cyst has to be removed or it can easily grow back again. You may notice this fill back up also prior to your appointment on Friday. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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