Stray dog with a cyst on the neck?

Question

My boyfriend picked up a stray dog on the street a week ago. The dog was sleeping on the sidewalk, weak, and dirty. He brought it to my house, and I cleaned the dog up with a flea bath and trimmed it's long matted hair. His hair was long and his hair was matted over his eyes :( he's blind, and has an ear infection, or maybe even ear mites. Other than those problems, the dog seems well, but of course he's probably very sick. The dog has a cyst on his neck, below the jaw, but I noticed yesterday that the cyst is smaller. My question is what caused it to become smaller? And I don't know if I'm being paranoid, but his neck looks a little bit swollen.

Also, we want to take him to the vet, but we're really tight on money, does anyone have any ideas what to do?

Answer 1

Chances are if the "cyst" appeared to be smaller it may either be because the dogs swollen neck is reducing the apperance of the cyst  or the fact that it is not a cyst. The "cyst" may be an infection due to an animal bite or be dirty with an open wound, which if the neck is swollen the infection "cyst" may not have shrank but rather shifted. If the problem is a cyst is needs to be removed by a doctor, and if it is an infection he or she needs antibiotics. Maybe you can find help at an volunteer hospital if there is one in or around your area. If you don't have such a place the best thing to do for the dog is to take him to a shelter who is funded to help sick animals such as this one.

I personally delt with a case like this with my neibors pitbull and he was diagnosed with an infection and given antibiotics and recoverd with in days.

Answer 2

It may be tough after having him for a while, but I would suggest taking him to an animal shelter. They will be able to give him the care he needs.

Answer 3

Call your ASPCA and ask if they have low cost vet care.  You may qualify for it.  You own vet may do some pro bono work.

Why not just be honest and say - I want you to examine the dog (at cheapest rate) and tell me what to do -- IE home remedies.  Just be honest -- vets became vets because they want to help animals!!