Today I noticed a lump about an inch in length (bean/oval shaped) on the thigh of my cat's left leg. I discovered this after she had fallen off the piano (about 3 feet up) while she was rolling in her sleep. As I palpated her, trying to make sure she was okay, I found the lump. It's quite solid, and well formed, and seems to be under her skin.
I never noticed it before despite petting her there often, but it had been a few months now since I was suspicious and suspecting something to be.. off.. with that left leg. She had been tripping more when jumping and also been going up the stairs a lot less - when she does, I see her creep up slowly (though she runs up eventually).
Her behavior is fine, just the same, no hiding or reacting much in pain (not that she shows that is). She lets me touch her leg, even the lump. As long as I don't hold the lump between my forefinger and thumb in attempts to "feel its shape," she doesn't react. She does get irritated if I poke and prod at her too much, but she's always been that way even before thr lump.
Also, last month I had found a bald patch on that same leg. When we brought her to the vet, it turned out to be a rash, so the doctor brushed off the tripping and all to be caused by an irritation from the rash.
The fur there hasn't fully grown back yet, the skin is still visible, but the area looks dark/black-ish? My cat's coat is a light beige/orange so I don't know why it's like that - there is no scab, it feels smooth.
Since it's past midnight here, with a public holiday tomorrow, I don't know how urgently I can bring my cat to the vet, but I'm definitely setting an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'm really worried about the lump and would like to know the possible cause of this, or at least what this might be? Thank you so much
Cat breed: Persian
Sex: female, spayed
Age: unsure since she was a gift, but estimated to be around 5 years
Food: grain free, dry food only
Additional info: from a biochemical test taken (2-3 months ago), her levels were all healthy, except for her calcium being high
I never noticed it before despite petting her there often, but it had been a few months now since I was suspicious and suspecting something to be.. off.. with that left leg. She had been tripping more when jumping and also been going up the stairs a lot less - when she does, I see her creep up slowly (though she runs up eventually).
Her behavior is fine, just the same, no hiding or reacting much in pain (not that she shows that is). She lets me touch her leg, even the lump. As long as I don't hold the lump between my forefinger and thumb in attempts to "feel its shape," she doesn't react. She does get irritated if I poke and prod at her too much, but she's always been that way even before thr lump.
Also, last month I had found a bald patch on that same leg. When we brought her to the vet, it turned out to be a rash, so the doctor brushed off the tripping and all to be caused by an irritation from the rash.
The fur there hasn't fully grown back yet, the skin is still visible, but the area looks dark/black-ish? My cat's coat is a light beige/orange so I don't know why it's like that - there is no scab, it feels smooth.
Since it's past midnight here, with a public holiday tomorrow, I don't know how urgently I can bring my cat to the vet, but I'm definitely setting an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'm really worried about the lump and would like to know the possible cause of this, or at least what this might be? Thank you so much
Cat breed: Persian
Sex: female, spayed
Age: unsure since she was a gift, but estimated to be around 5 years
Food: grain free, dry food only
Additional info: from a biochemical test taken (2-3 months ago), her levels were all healthy, except for her calcium being high