Seroma in Animals

SEROMA (Hydrocyst) Commonly infected wildlifeANYMAMMALYOU CAN’T GET IT Is the animal infected?• Yellow or reddish clear fluid under skin orwithin muscle.• Can be large (football-sized), and containmore than a gallon of fluid.– Often present between front legs.– Can cause animal difficulty in moving.– Affected animals may be easier prey.AB FISH AND WILDLIFE Can I get it?• NO– Seromas are NOT infectious. How bad can it get?RISKNo risk to humans.42

Protect myself and others• Trim away affected tissue – it isunappetizing and should not beeaten.– Once affected tissue has beentrimmed away, the meat can be cookedand eaten.– Any meat surrounding a seroma is safeto eat.• ALWAYS practice good hygiene bywashing hands with soap and waterafter handling any wild animal. Symptoms in humans• None – people are not at risk.• The fluid inside a seroma is not dangerousto human health. Safe for pets?• Yes– After trimming away affectedtissue.PETS What causes it?• Localized soft-tissue injury.– Not caused by an infection.– Does not contain “pus”.• Fluid (blood serum) seeps from tiny rupturedblood vessels in injured areas.– Fluid accumulates, often under theskin, and drains away after some time.TRIM AWAY AFFECTED PARTS43