I found a lump on my cat tonight.

[VenusRising]

I was sitting with Sebastian in my lap tonight, and for some reason I got the feeling that I needed to feel his body and make sure he was ok. Well, I hate it when I get feelings like that because I found a lump on his left side close to his spine. It's about the size of a peach pit, but isn't hard. It actually seems to move freely under the skin. He is eating, playing, and using his bathroom like normal. He doesn't seem to be in any pain at all. He seems like a normal happy 8 year old kitty. I would have never even known it was there if I hadn't been feeling on him. I plan to watch him and make sure that he doesn't develop any symptoms or signs of a problem. Has anyone ever experienced this with a kitty?

I posted this in the pet forum, but I knew some of my loungers might have some wisdom to impart. :loveya:

[Heidi]

1. Take Sebastian to the doctor, gf.

We went through this with Ginger a few months ago. We found a big lump (also about the size of a peach pit) under his left "arm" and were extremely concerned because we'd been told by another vet that Ginger had been shot with a BB gun about a year ago. So, we allowed his regular vet to do an exploratory surgery; it turned out to be a very large sebaceous cyst. Better safe than sorry. :)

:hug: Good vibes to you and Sebastian, my friend. :loveya:

[VenusRising]

3. Thanks for the vibes.

And for the advice. I'll take him to the vet and I'm sure he'll be okay. It's just weird cause he's the first kitty I have ever been totally responsible for. I want to be a good kitty mommy. :)


Hope you and your clan are doing well. :loveya::hug:

[wildhorses]

2. agree w/ heidi

take him to the vet...best wishes :hug:

[VenusRising]

4. Thanks, wildhorses.

:hug:

He's soooo not going to like the car ride.

[wildhorses]

5. true

:scared:

:hug: for sebastain

do you have a carrier or a towel to wrap him?

[Heidi]

6. You have a cat carrier, yes?

Ginger _hates_ the car ride, but if I cover most of the cat carrier with a sheet or light blanket, the ride is more bearable for him. :hug:

[grasswire]

7. I think the fact that it moves freely and isn't hard...

...maybe is a good thing. A cyst is usually moveable under the skin, and not hard.

Keep us posted. My dear old tabby Chester had a couple of odd lumps that he just lived with for 18 years.

[VenusRising]

9. That's what I am hoping.

The fact that it's not attached has me very optimistic. But I will take him just to be safe.

[VenusRising]

8. No, no carrier.

The last one we had came from the vet when he had kidney problems before. He peed in it, and since it was cardboard, well, you know.

He just meows a lot. I'll make sure I have Zodiak go with me so one of us can hold the cat.

[Qanisqineq]

10. I hope it is only a cyst

One of my 14 year old cats has had a cyst for the last 5 years. Unlike someone stated above, my cat's cyst is hard and doesn't really move under the skin. I was terrified like I'm sure you are and took him to the vet ASAP. The vet has told me I can have it removed sometime when he is getting his teeth cleaned but that it is harmless. Take him to the vet soon so you can find out.

[VenusRising]

11. Meep.

Hopefully every cat is different. I just want my kitty to be ok.

Off to the vet with him.

[Skittles]

12. have the vet take a look

thing is Venus, if it turns out to be something you'd beat up yourself for the delay

[VenusRising]

19. You're right.

I would beat myself up over it.

Thanks, Skittles.

:hug:

[xchrom]

13. for sebastian

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.
--Franciscan prayer


the best vibes for all people who love their animal companions -- and especially for those concerned about their health.

here's to you sebastian.

[VenusRising]

20. Thank you, so much, xchrom.

He's a kitty worthy of that prayer, I think.

[kedrys]

14. Caesar's has those for years

They operated on him about 9 years ago, only to find out it was a lipoma (basically a giant fat cell). They're much more common in dogs, the vet said. Caesar recovered very well, and now that he's almost 16 and losing a little bit of weight, his lumps are also diminishing.

Ask the vet to do a biopsy before they operate on Sebastian. Unless the lump affects a nerve, chances are they won't have to do anything.

Good luck! :hi:

[VenusRising]

21. Good advice, kedrys.

Thank you. He is kinda fat, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if that's what he had. I will take that any day over something serious.

[Truthiness Inspector]

30. I was going to say what you said

The fact that it feels fatty is probably a good thing, but a check up with the vet is imperative as most here have mentioned. I freaked when I found a lump on one of my dogs' sides, and it is a harmless lipoma.

Sending good vibes to the OP's kitty, who is very handsome by the way. :o

[Raffi Ella]

15. I don't know

what might be going on with your kitty but two weeks ago I took my 100lb dog to the vet b/c I felt what you described on her neck and she was breathing heavier than normal.I thought she just had a cold.

She has lymphoma cancer.I've had her on medication to keep the swelling down and she improved and is eating like a horse and still going for walks and playing but the Vet said the disease will take over soon;he gave her a month or two at best.

Even if I had taken her sooner the outcome would've been the same but I would've known and been able to take better care of her.If I were you,just to be on the safe side,I would take kitty to the vet.

[VenusRising]

22. DemEtienne! I'm so sorry about your dog.

I know you are going to love him like crazy and make his last days the best they can be. PM me if you need a shoulder to lean on.

:hug:

[Raffi Ella]

38. oh thanks for that,you're so sweet.

It was shocking to hear the news.I've never had an animal that's been sick like this -When I read your post it scared me but! I'm glad to read here that most lumps like this on cats aren't serious.I still think it's a good idea to take him to the vet but I'm sure Sebastian will be just fine!

And YES!She is definitely having a fine time and eating better than I do.I'm desperately sad but I'm dealing with it.
Even though it's being cut short she had a great life and I'm grateful for the time I did and still do have with her. :+

[Maraya1969]

35. I am so sorry DemEtienne.

:hug:

[Raffi Ella]

39. Thank you

:hug:

[davsand]

16. Sorry to hear you are worried about your kitty.

I echo the folks saying "get thee to a vet," however, I do want to also point out that cats can abscess pretty quickly with what seems to be a minor wound.

Has your kitty maybe been clawed by another cat or anybody else? That could create large lumps that are not hard--however--I'd think he'd maybe have some discomfort with it--I dunno. IF that is his problem it means they open it up, drain it, and put him on some kind of antibiotic for a while. (Pilling a cat is SO much fun--and they LOVE that "pink shit" as I call it...)

Anyhow, try not to worry any more than you already are. I'm sure he'll be fine.



Laura

[VenusRising]

24. Hi davsand.

No, Sebastian is an only indoor kitty. He doesn't seem to be injured at all. As much as we interact with him, I know we would have noticed a wound or injury.

Thank you.

:hug:

[zanne]

17. A cat with a gorgeous tummy like that....

Deserves only the best. I hope your kitty is okay.

[VenusRising]

25. Awww. Sebastian thanks you.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

18. I hope it's nothing serious.

But please take him to a vet anyway.

He's a beautiful cat.

[VenusRising]

26. Me too.

I will take him.

He knows how beautiful he is too. Little ham. :rofl:

[NMDemDist2]

23. my old dogs get cysts all the time

they come and go over time, no cancer yet on either of them

good luck to you and your kitty!

[VenusRising]

27. Thanks AZDemDist6.

Good luck to you and your dogs, as well.

[AZBlue]

28. It's probably a cyst, but check it out just to make sure.

Sending good vibes to both of you! :)

[VenusRising]

41. Thanks for the vibes AZBlue.

:hug:

[deucemagnet]

29. My cousin's wife had a similar problem with her cat.

It seems in older cats, vaccine-related fibroblasts are common. The vet surgically removed the fibroblasts, and the cat is fine today. I hope it's just a cyst, but even vaccine-related fibroblastomas are treatable in cats. :)

[VenusRising]

42. It's been a year or two since he was at the vet last.

His last injection was in his neck. So, I'm pretty sure it's not injection related. Thanks for the information. :hi:

[Bryn]

31. Your Cat is so Adorable!

One of my female cats has two lumps on her tummy that she lived with for years. She is now 17 and is doing fine. Vet doesn't want to do surgery on her because of her murmur heart and her age, too. Do have your beloved cat checked out by vet and see what they say.

[VenusRising]

44. Thanks. He is fuzzily cute.

I will have him checked. He can't get into the vet for a few days. I can't wait to see what he says.

[Solly Mack]

32. My cat had a lump..still active.. ...still her old self in everyway

Just as frisky as when she was a kitten. She was 16. She was the first added member to our household after we married. In February a lump was found and in February had to have her put down. It was discovered the cancer was everywhere. No warning. Nothing...except that one lump.

I'm crying as I type this. I didn't mention it at the time because it was just too painful. It still is

Please take your baby to the vet. I'm sending you both warm vibes and wishing you both the best.

[Raffi Ella]

40. Solly,I'm so sorry about your cat.

They truly do become a family member and it is so hard when they go.Hugs and my deepest sympathy to you.

[Solly Mack]

51. Thank you, DemEtienne

:hug:

[VenusRising]

45. I am so terribly sorry, Solly Mack.

Sebastian is our first cat as a couple, so I understand the added love there. Thank you so much for your wishes and vibes. I hope that your pain eases every day. I can't imagine how you feel, but I am sending you love and hugs.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Solly Mack]

52. (((VenusRising)))

Thank you. Give Sebastian an ear rub from me.
:hug:

[spiderpig]

33. Kitties are our bestest friends

I know how you must feel. Around 15 years ago I noticed a scab on the neck of The Best Cat in the World, Sam (she was 9 at the time). The vet checked it out and said we'd monitor it. Long story short, it was an injection-site tumor - apparently from the feline leukemia injections that were routinely administered at that time.

Sam had four surgeries, each time more extensive, and then radiation, but she didn't make it. Very sad story, but the reassuring thing was the attitude of my vet. We've had many kitties since, and when we've gone in for various reasons, he's told us how he regrets not being more aggressive in the initial treatment of Sam, and that he's subsequently treated cats with similar symptoms differently. He actually had tears in his eyes. I love my vet!

I hope your vet is as caring as ours. Good luck with your furball!

[VenusRising]

46. Our vet is a kitty specialist.

They are really great. I had an appointment one day for Sebastian for a urinary issue. He had a lot of blood in his urine. They had me bring him in early and were not angry at all when he peed all over their floor. They were so happy they had something to test. They really love the animals up there.

[Maraya1969]

34. I bet it's just a fatty deposit. My beagle had a lot of them.

[VenusRising]

47. I hope so, Maraya1969.

I love your sig pic! :thumbsup:

[QMPMom]

36. It sounds like a fatty cyst but take him to the Vet anyway.

I hope that he confirms that its a minor thing and that Sebastian will be fine.

[VenusRising]

50. Thank you, QMPMom.

Just waiting for the vet day.
:hug:

[Kajsa]

37. Taking him to the vet is the best advice

here.

If there's a problem, you've caught in early,
which lessens the chance of complications.

If there's no problem, so much the better!

He's such a neat kitty with a cute tummy.

Good vibes coming your way for you and Sebastian.

:hi:

[VenusRising]

48. Thanks for the vibes, Kajsa!

And Sebastian thanks you, too. We call that position his "Nermal pose". :rofl:

[flamingyouth]

43. One of my cats had a cyst like that once.

We had it removed because we were afraid of what it might be - but it was benign, luckily - and the vet said that they are rather common. Sending good vibes to Sebastian. :hug:

[VenusRising]

49. Thanks for the vibes, flamingyouth!

I can't wait to get him to the vet. I hope it's something benign. He's been through an awful lot. I'm glad that your kitty was ok.

:hug:

[undeterred]

53. My dog has a boob.

He's 14 and he's had it for 4 years. Doc says its a cyst.

[VenusRising]

54. It's VET day!!

Sebastian is going to the vet today at 4:00. I hope it's nothing too serious. Zodiak and I have already discussed all the options depending on what they find. So, either way, I feel good that there is a plan.

[flamingyouth]

55. Sending you guys good vibes

:hug:

[qanda]

58. Thinking about you and your kitty

I hope everything turns out okay.

[stuntcat]

56. I'll hope for him too

He's so happy there!
I hope this lump's Nothing.

[GreenPartyVoter]

57. My girl baby, Pickles, has the exact same thing. She has had it for abt 4 years now.

Never taken her to the vet for it but if you would feel better then have your furbaby checked out. :hug:

(You go back 4 years into the archives you will find a post here from when I first found the lump on Pickles! LOL)