Lump in 8 months old Kitten.

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
Hi! I'm new at this site and I'm really glad that we are able to talk and find some kind of relief through our experience with our beloved cats.

Well, I rescued a little female kitten in november last year, she's a playful and happy kitten.

Like a week ago I noticed some lumps in her abdomen, they where pea size or maybe a little more bigger. They where two right beneath her breasts. We took her to the vet, and they told us that it was caused because of her having the heat, the vet said that they where solen mammary glands. That reliefed me a little, but yesterday I noticed that one of those lumps had growned. It is like 2-3 cm, It is not hard and feels moveable, the other one is the same size. I decided to took her yesterday to another vet and the diagnosis was a little bit less positive. The vet told us that she thinks that is not something hormonal, she didn't say cancer but she really implied it. They took blood samples and on monday we have an x-ray appointment. The lumps cause no pain in her when I touch them, also she behaves the same as all time, she plays, eats, drinks and use poops normally. But I'm really worried of her having cancer, I did some research online and all the information makes me worry more, I know is a worst case scenario but I would really like to know if anyone has experienced something like this in such a young kitten. I'm sad and anxious for her results, and talk about it makes me feel some kind of peace.

I attach a photo I took of her lump this morning.
 

Attachments

di and bob

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 12, 2012
Messages
16,577
Purraise
22,949
Location
Nebraska, USA
The fact that they are movable and not hard is encouraging, The fact that whatever you found was found early is more. It COULD be hormonal, it could also be benign tumors that are common on cats, but usually in older ones. Having her spayed would eliminate any more worries of mammary cancer. Which even if the tumors are benign now they could get worse later. I would have her spayed as soon as possible after finding out what the lumps are. She could get a biopsy and be spayed at the same time. If it turns out to be cancer, which I don't think it is, it will no longer have the hormones to let it get worse.
I'm so sorry you are going through all this, we always think the worse when we worry about the ones we love. Try to remain positive until you know exactly what you are up against. No, it's NOT normal, but it doesn't automatically mean something deadly. She could have swollen lymph glands which are everywhere, blocked mammary ducts, just about anything. You need to know exactly what it is and only a vet can tell you. There is a benign condition called mammery hyperplasia, which happens in young cats that are in heat or about to. The progesterone released causes swelling in the mammary glands just like in your little one. You must get this taken care of asap because it can rapidly get worse and can cause ulcerations, pain, lethargy and many other conditions if not treated, usually by spaying. Please ask your vet about this, it is often mistaken for cancer.
I will pray for your little girl. Don't panic, she needs you more than ever. Bless you for helping her with this. PLEASE keep us posted on what you find!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
The fact that they are movable and not hard is encouraging, The fact that whatever you found was found early is more. It COULD be hormonal, it could also be benign tumors that are common on cats, but usually in older ones. Having her spayed would eliminate any more worries of mammary cancer. Which even if the tumors are benign now they could get worse later. I would have her spayed as soon as possible after finding out what the lumps are. She could get a biopsy and be spayed at the same time. If it turns out to be cancer, which I don't think it is, it will no longer have the hormones to let it get worse.
I'm so sorry you are going through all this, we always think the worse when we worry about the ones we love. Try to remain positive until you know exactly what you are up against. No, it's NOT normal, but it doesn't automatically mean something deadly. She could have swollen lymph glands which are everywhere, blocked mammary ducts, just about anything. You need to know exactly what it is and only a vet can tell you. There is a benign condition called mammery hyperplasia, which happens in young cats that are in heat or about to. The progesterone released causes swelling in the mammary glands just like in your little one. You must get this taken care of asap because it can rapidly get worse and can cause ulcerations, pain, lethargy and many other conditions if not treated, usually by spaying. Please ask your vet about this, it is often mistaken for cancer.
I will pray for your little girl. Don't panic, she needs you more than ever. Bless you for helping her with this. PLEASE keep us posted on what you find!

Thank you so much for your warm words, your advices and your wishes. They make this long days a little bit more bearable. I will keep taking care of her and I will keep you tune for any results. Thanks again and my best wishes for you!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #6

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
A little update of today, my cat acts normal, she eats, sleeps and keeps playing a lot, A LOT. But today I found another swell lump almost symmetrical to the first one I detected. I read that malignant tumors tend to have a very fast grow, but I'm not sure if they are that quick. I'll post an update as soon as I receive her results tomorrow, but I wanted to share and hear your thoughts about this situation.

But well I hope to get good news tomorrow. Have a nice week!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
Just got the blood test results, just three parameters show alterations, and not extreme alterations. The vet that send her to analysis is not available because she is on a congress out of my town. But we took the lab results to the first veterinarians that saw my cat and they told me that this alterations are caused by the obvious inflamatory process, but the parameters that denote something else seem to look fine, but recommend me to spay her and also perform a biopsy, to know exactly what are they treating with.

I obviously need to talk to the second veterinarian about her interpretation of the results, but now I feel a little bit more calm. And Camita (My cat's name) still acts as usual, plays, eats and drinks as normal.

I'll wait until the other vet contacts with me! 😃
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #12

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
Well, last update for today. We spoke with the second vet, and she suggests a really agressive treatment, starting from doing a mastectomy of the first mammary chain and send it to a patologist, to find out what the lumps are, to then realize a second mastectomy of the other chain and at the end spay her.

I'm not an expert but I don't want to put in that much stress and pain my little one without having any accuracy of the disease.

Instead the other vet, told us that we could give her some antiobiotics, spay her and during the spay perform a biopsy to know exactly what we are facing. The vet told us that she thinks that my cat is very young to have a tumor, she doesn't discards it but she is a little sceptical about it.

Anyway, it was a long day and we have to decide between two opposite sides, aiming only for the health and well being of my dear Camita.

Sorry for the letter.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
Update! We spayed Camita last friday, also they perform a biopsy on her lumps and finally got news! Now, 5 days after the spay, the lumps almost are all gone, also the lab results confirmed that it was mammary hyperplasia, the vet was right!! Now we have to wait until Camita recovers from the spay and now celebrate with her all this great news! I want to thank everyone for your good wishes, prayers and attention!
 

Millie005

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2020
Messages
24
Purraise
32
The fact that they are movable and not hard is encouraging, The fact that whatever you found was found early is more. It COULD be hormonal, it could also be benign tumors that are common on cats, but usually in older ones. Having her spayed would eliminate any more worries of mammary cancer. Which even if the tumors are benign now they could get worse later. I would have her spayed as soon as possible after finding out what the lumps are. She could get a biopsy and be spayed at the same time. If it turns out to be cancer, which I don't think it is, it will no longer have the hormones to let it get worse.
I'm so sorry you are going through all this, we always think the worse when we worry about the ones we love. Try to remain positive until you know exactly what you are up against. No, it's NOT normal, but it doesn't automatically mean something deadly. She could have swollen lymph glands which are everywhere, blocked mammary ducts, just about anything. You need to know exactly what it is and only a vet can tell you. There is a benign condition called mammery hyperplasia, which happens in young cats that are in heat or about to. The progesterone released causes swelling in the mammary glands just like in your little one. You must get this taken care of asap because it can rapidly get worse and can cause ulcerations, pain, lethargy and many other conditions if not treated, usually by spaying. Please ask your vet about this, it is often mistaken for cancer.
I will pray for your little girl. Don't panic, she needs you more than ever. Bless you for helping her with this. PLEASE keep us posted on what you find!
Hi, I just read your reply and thought you mist understand in cat health. I'm having a problem with my one year old cat. I spayed her around 3 weeks ago now (when she was on heat). Everything went well. Now I'm noticing these irregulary shaped movable small "lumps" under some of her nipples, and one nipple actually has a bluish colour to it. No discharge or blood is present. She is exhibiting normal behaviour, very active and playful. Always running with my male neutered cat. She eats normally. Could it be an infection from hee constant grooming? Or a hormonal changes due to the spaying?

Thankyou !
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #16

alejandrocarrizales

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
29
Purraise
44
Hello! I know you didn't asked me, but it seems similar to what happened to my cat, almost the same symptoms. I'm not even near to be an expert, but in my experience I recommend you, to get her checked as soon as possible. If it's mammary hyperplasia it can get really bad if you let it untreated. This condition can also take place in spayed cats, so it might be this caused by the hormonal changes due to spaying her.
 

Millie005

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2020
Messages
24
Purraise
32
Hello! I know you didn't asked me, but it seems similar to what happened to my cat, almost the same symptoms. I'm not even near to be an expert, but in my experience I recommend you, to get her checked as soon as possible. If it's mammary hyperplasia it can get really bad if you let it untreated. This condition can also take place in spayed cats, so it might be this caused by the hormonal changes due to spaying her.
Thank you so much!
 

shumi

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Messages
5
Purraise
2
Hi! I stumbled upon this post while searching what's wrong with my 8 month old kitten. She has the same situation but the difference is, she was already spayed when this happened. Can anyone help me? Is this something to worry about?

I know this post is from last year, but I'm still hoping someone will answer me. Thank you! :)
 

Attachments

Top