Are there any holistic remedies to cure a benign keratin inclusion cyst on a dog? It was diagnosed through a fine needle aspirate, and the vet says the only way to cure it is through surgical excision under general anesthesia. My dog is a 12-year-old Min Pin, and doesn't have any other health issues. Aside from tartar and plaque build up on the front and canine tooth, he is a healthy, happy and active dog.
Some of our supplements can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which may help to reduce this cyst, however there is no way to cure these types of lumps besides surgical excision. A keratin cyst is a build up of dead cells below the skin surface. You can drain or ‘pop’ these types of cysts, but they will return because the body does not like ‘empty space’. The space left over after removing the material in the cyst is called the capsule, and the body will inevitably refill this capsule to avoid an empty space. The only way to prevent this is through surgical removal of the capsule. We do have some supplements which may help to slow this process. Turmeric can help to reduce the inflammatory process and ES Clear can help to remove impurities from the blood while supporting the immune system. Also, many patients in their senior years undergo general anesthetic. Although general anesthesia does pose some risks, it is generally quite safe. If your veterinarian suggests your pet go under anaesthesia, be sure to run a full blood panel on your pet beforehand to rule out any underlying conditions which may make the anesthesia riskier and to help the veterinarian decide the best anesthesia protocol. It would be a good idea to support your pup with Milk Thistle after the anesthesia. The Milk Thistle is a great detoxifying herb that can be given long term.