Weird greasy fur

[SteffiS]

Toffee has a small area of greasy, almost matted, fur on his neck. Thinking back it’s possible it appeared on Sunday after he’d been 'playing' with Ripple. Yesterday I just assumed he’d put his head somewhere greasy (butter dish or the like) , but after trying to wash it off I’m not so sure.
I can’t see any damage to his skin, although there may possibly be a small lump there. Not having my car at the moment due to the deer incident I’m reluctant to make a complicated trip to the vets unnecessarily. Any suggestions? It doesn’t seem to be bothering him. Interestingly enough I can’t smell anything on it but Ripple obviously can by his behaviour towards me when I’ve been touching Toffee’s neck.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I thought I had an idea until you said it doesn't smell (to you). But with that detail, I'm stumped.

 

[Charlie]

How odd. Could he have rolled in bird poo? I can't smell it when Charlie does. x

 

[kateincornwall]

Do you think that lump could be a little abscess type thing and its burst, leaving residue behind ? I would bathe the area with a mild solution of hibiscrub or even boiled cooled salt water x

 

[SteffiS]

I think yours is the most likely answer @kateincornwall . I did think I would be able to smell a burst abscess, but I shall bathe it and see what happens.

 

[Emily]

Is it possible there could be a small puncture from the play session?

 

[Oberon]

Look really closely at his skin (although I’m sure you have!!). Sometimes a sebaceous cyst (harmless) can seep out a greasy residue, especially if it’s burst.

 

[SteffiS]

Is it possible there could be a small puncture from the play session?

Very possibly. His fur is less greasy feeling today after bathing, but I’m still not happy about it.

Look really closely at his skin (although I’m sure you have!!). Sometimes a sebaceous cyst (harmless) can seep out a greasy residue, especially if it’s burst.

Of course close examination of a one year old labs neck is easier said than done . If it is a sebaceous cyst what would be the best way to treat this? Do you think a vet visit would be best?

 

[Oberon]

Yeah, not an easy task even on the most placid dog!

A sebaceous cyst is best checked by a vet - mainly to confirm it’s a sebaceous cyst. Obi has a couple - they look like pink, irregular lumps that are a bit greasy at times. A few millimeters across. No action needed on his. I think that they can also be pimple like in nature, and can kind of erupt then burst. Obi’s are more like solid lumps.

 

[Selina27]

a one year old lab

Is Toffee one already ? I can hardly believe it!

 

[FayRose]

Ditto what everyone's said about a possibly difficult to see wound/cyst of some sort. This is what happened to Molly when her hotspot started, I also thought she'd rolled in something, it seemed to be a greasy mark. Only became obvious after a few days when blood appeared and the wound became apparent.

 

[SteffiS]

Is Toffee one already ? I can hardly believe it!

Yes, I know, he’s still quite small and puppy looking, I assume he’s not going to grow much more now.

The greasy bit is definitely cheesy smelling now, I noticed it when he got up from his morning nap. I think I will have to find a way to get to the vets. The completion date for my car repairs was Friday but I’m going to give them a chase up and see if it will be ready sooner.

 

[MrChew]

If we were talking about a human I would be thinking a sebaceous cyst or something along those lines. Good luck at the vet!