How to drain cyst

[Tiosk]

I am about to schedule my veiled chameleon an appointment at the vet for her cyst but I wanted to see if there was a way for me to do it instead of the vet because it is going to be costly at the vet. I think......
Can someone tell me how to drain a cyst?

 

[shawn_melanson]

Could try using a diabetic needle if you really want too do it yourself

 

[JacksJill]

My advise would be to let the vet do it. If you open it and get it infected it will be a bigger problem than you have now.
It depends on what is in the cyst how involved draining it will be.
Diabetic needle will likely be too small to get anything out.

 

[Tiosk]

What does the vet do?

 

[random user name]

I would honestly go with the vet. I had an Iguana years ago who got a cyst in her mouth and I was thinking of draining myself. I got worried and took her to the vet, which I learned that apparently some reptiles can develop pus inside of cyst that hardens and almost crystalizes.

It can be hard to treat on your own. They had me treat my iguana's wound differently than a humans due to the empty space the cyst left. They wanted it to heal from the inside, out. I constantly had to flush the wound with anti bacterial wash they provided and an ointment to apply and pack the wound with.

Honestly, I'd say go with the vet please

 

[shawn_melanson]

My advise would be to let the vet do it. If you open it and get it infected it will be a bigger problem than you have now.
It depends on what is in the cyst how involved draining it will be.
Diabetic needle will likely be too small to get anything out.

I had cauliflower ear and was able to drain my ear with a diabetic needle. So that’s where I got the idea. Either way I don’t recommend doing it yourself, but if you must you could give that a shot and I think it would be realitivly low risk compared to some other options.

 

[JacksJill]

They will either use a larger needle after creating a disinfected field around it to prevent introducing bacteria. If it contains thick material they will probably have to lance it and scrape it out and possibly suture it closed. Worst case senario they will cut around it to remove the cyst and its capsule and suture it back up under sedation or anesthesia. They may follow up with antibiotics. Since I haven't seen it and I'm not a vet this is all a guess. Be sure to get a written estimate and discuss the possibilities with your vet.

 

[Tiosk]

Ok thanks for all the great input! I will try to schedule an appointment today