I'm not sure that's what it is. He's a 22 year old Rat Terrier. I've taken him to the Vet for other lumps when he was about 15 or 16. The Vet said I could expect such things. As well as the eyes going going bad. But this Cyst ruptured and now it's a sore. It doesn't look good. Of course when he was much younger he went for all his shots and stuff. At some point you have to stop. Our Vet and I decided to stop six years ago. He's still here. And actually doing very well. He doesn't bark or get his toy anymore. All he does is lay in bed with his bad teeth and sunken head. Well he really doesn't have any teeth This dog is old. The latest development is the ruptured cyst or whatever..Is that what's going to end it? No we don't take him to the Vet anymore for shots or anything. There's a whole thing about Vaccinations. If you do it for so freaking long you are exempt. But I'm worried about this.

So take him to the vet!!!

Wow! He is a super senior! *Is that what's going to end it?* Probably unless you take him to the vet so they can treat it accordingly. He may need antibiotics to prevent infection.

de

Perhaps a fluid cyst.
Keep the area clean and use triple antibiotic ointment.
Without surgery they have a tendency to fill again with fluid.
They cause no real harm.

So this dog hasn't been taken to a vet for 6 years? Is that right? Are you considering taking him to a vet now the cyst has ruptured and has developed into an open sore?

I'm shocked at the attitude of your vet, Surely he/she didn't just write off your dog 6 years ago and suggest you don't seek further vet attention for him irrespective of whatever health problems arose. What the hell kind of vet would do that?

I agree over vaccinating a dog does more harm than good and I wouldn't have continued to vaccinate either. I sure would have continued with regular health checks though.

My vet has a Golden Paws program for senior dogs. We take our dogs in every 6 months for a senior health check. Once my dogs turn 7yo they are health checked every 6 months unless I think they look off color. Then they are taken to the vet immediately.

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

You need to think about the quality of life of this dog. It sounds like his days are numbered and you need to consider euthanasia to end his suffering. It sounds as though he has no quality of life and it would be kinder to him to have him gently put to sleep.