My older girl has a sebaceous cyst on her back which keeps bursting and sometimes seems a little sore so then I put salt water on it to stop it getting infected. The vet has seen it a couple of times and basically said it will just keep building up and sometimes leaking like this and there's not much to be done. However one of the other dogs has started to lick it, and I'm not sure if this is going to be a sort of cleaning thing or if I should prevent her in case it causes an infection on the occasions when the cyst has leaked so there is a small hole in the skin. I don't know how I can prevent her when I'm not there to tell her no anyway!

The other dog could most certainly infect the wound. I would suggest using dilute HIBISCRUB on cotton wool to clean the cyst , especially as dogs don't seem to like to lick Hibiscrub. Cheapest place to buy it is on line, no prescription needed, or at an equestrian supply shop. Good luck with it.

My breed is I think one of the breeds most prone to these.

I have one who always has at least one active cyst, so I evacuate as much of the contents as possible, then I clean them using surgical spirit or Witch Hazel, and found Aloe Vera gel promotes healing.

Thanks both! I have some hibiscrub and will try that, then buy aloe vera gel. :-)

Would wearing a thin dog t-shirt help? There are so many these days that are thin enough to wear even in warm weather.

I can try that if the hibiscrub doesn't keep the youngster off; I haven't seen her licking it today so hopefully it has done the trick. :-)

Good. Great to think a tip might work. Keep us posted please.

Hmm, it still seems to be a bit odd looking and the pesky youngster was licking it - need to buy that aloe vera gel I guess! (and perhaps a good excuse for buying a cute doggy t-shirt?) :D