Oozing fat lump on dog

[Rae CousineauStudent]

We have an almost 8 year old golden doodle. Our vet tested a lump on his side to see if it was cancerous (it isn’t – it’s a benign fat lump). A few weeks later, it “burst” open, letting loose fat, blood, and pus. After initially cleaning it out the best I could, it only mildly oozed watery/bloody fluid. It would sometimes seem to be healing up, but then go back to mildly oozing fluid. The vet suggested antibiotics, which we tried (didn’t work). Her next suggestion is surgery to remove the lump… to the tune of at least $1000.
Obviously we want our dog to heal up and not have to deal with this anymore, but I would like to avoid the surgery if possible. Not only is it quite a bit of money, but I hate the idea of surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary.
At this point it looks like a half ping pong ball (the fat lump) with a fingertip size open wound (around where the needle went it to test it originally).
I made a tea with what dry herbs I had on hand (plantain, gumweed, echinacea, yarrow, elderberries… and possibly mullein leaf/flower??) and have been spraying that on him several times daily, but I’m not sure it looks any different so far.
I have also tried bentonite clay in the past, but no matter how well we wrap him he manages to get the wrap off and lick whatever we put on there. Hence the tea… Also contributing to the problem, I’m sure, is that both he and our other dog (two year old labradoodle) want to lick it. I’m home all day and stop them right away whenever they try, but it’s an ongoing problem.

[Rae CousineauStudentTopic Author]

Update: I’ve had the dog in a doggy life vest for the last week, and it does prevent the licking! Unfortunately, the sore still looks the same.

Any ideas?

[Michelle KochStudent]

I know you’ve had plantain on it, as well as some other herbs that would have been among my go-to, but have you tried cleavers?  Or… I wonder if oak would be helpful?  Oak, I’ve learned, is not only a very strong astringent, but also anti-microbial.  All parts of the oak tree are medicinal:  the root, inner bark, leaves, and the unripe seeds and their green pods.  Make a strong decoction and apply it several times a day.  Maybe it will help kill the infection and dry it up.

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Rae Cousineau

[Rae CousineauStudentTopic Author]

Thank you for your response! That’s a great idea. Unfortunately, there is no oak in my area. We have mostly Ponderosa and Lodgepole Pine, as well as other evergreens, and quite a bit of aspen, but not much else tree-wise.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Have a look at the Wound Management lessons.

Internally , some Immunity Support and INFXN BugBuster (or something similar to those). And the same antibiotic herbs topically.  Those formulas are in the wound management lessons and in the Formulas section in teh Infectious Disease formulas lesson.

If the wound isn’t deep and narrow, some comfrey will heal it up. Have a look at the Poultice Formula tincture for topical application.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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Rae Cousineau

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