Fatty lump on cats back!!!

[SteveJohn]

Hello everyone

So today I noticed a fatty lump on my cats back just below the shoulder blades, it’s moveable quite easily and Luna doesn’t notice it or in any pain. Obviously it looks like a vet visit but has anyone come across this before?
Thanks

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. It may be nothing more than a cyst or some other benign tumor. There are a number of things that might cause such a lump. There are tons of posts on this site about such lumps/bumps, but I think the causes have been so widely varied that you wouldn't necessarily find a pattern to them that would enable you to know what Luna's lump is.

Just like people, the older the cat the more reason to have it checked out. The vet may just tell you to monitor it or they could take a sample via a fine needle aspiration so the cells can be analyzed. This is usually a simple procedure and rarely needs sedation for it to be performed. It is even possible that the vet may recognize what it is from past experience.

Nonetheless, just have it checked out and don't get too worried about it at this point.

 

[Draco]

My cat has the same thing. It's on her skin, not under. Its not fluid filled, nor is it red, nor does it bother her. But it is growing. I discovered a tiny one recently too that popped up.
Due to the costs of my other cat, I opted to monitor it for the time being since the vet didn't seem concerned. But next time I will have her aspirate it and check the sample for peace of mind.

How old is Luna? It is common for senior animals to get bumps and lumps.

 

[SteveJohn]

My cat has the same thing. It's on her skin, not under. Its not fluid filled, nor is it red, nor does it bother her. But it is growing. I discovered a tiny one recently too that popped up.
Due to the costs of my other cat, I opted to monitor it for the time being since the vet didn't seem concerned. But next time I will have her aspirate it and check the sample for peace of mind.

How old is Luna? It is common for senior animals to get bumps and lumps.

Luna is 7, still has recently had her yearly booster jab which I thought may have caused it but it’s round, fatty, soft and moveable and under her skin.

 

[di and bob]

My 10 year old has had one for a couple of years in his back leg crease. It is quite large, about quarter size, but has not grown bigger. it is soft, movable, and appears to be a cyst. He has leukemia, is doing fine, and I would not put him through cancer treatments, he is too terrified of vets. Cats (and humans) get these often as they age.

 

[SteveJohn]

My 10 year old has had one for a couple of years in his back leg crease. It is quite large, about quarter size, but has not grown bigger. it is soft, movable, and appears to be a cyst. He has leukemia, is doing fine, and I would not put him through cancer treatments, he is too terrified of vets. Cats (and humans) get these often as they age.

Something I think I wouldn’t ever do and put her through Cancer treatment. I’ve heard horrible stories. I’ll go get it checked out anyway but it doesn’t hurt or bother hurt at the moment.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Your cat is young and cancer treatments aren't typically the horror stories many people assume them to be. Many actually do very well on chemo. But, that is 'jumping the gun' right now.

Let us know what you find out!

 

[SteveJohn]

Your cat is young and cancer treatments aren't typically the horror stories many people assume them to be. Many actually do very well on chemo. But, that is 'jumping the gun' right now.

Let us know what you find out!

I will do thanks. I’m hoping it’s nothing serious but I will reply with what the vets say.

 

[Mietze1961]

My cat who is almost 15 years old has a large lump on his right side. I was worried too much, cried my heart out of just thinking I might loose him and expected the worst. I took him to the veterinarian. He gave him a checkup and told me not to worry about it, but to keep my eyes on it. He needs no operation or treatment for it. It was such a relief. He is my whole life and I can't imagine my life without him.
I wish your kitty the best. Keep us updated.

 

[FriendofFerals]

Those can happen above or below the surface of the skin and normally it's a benign cyst or growth. I had a ginger kitty who would grow these on the outside...neck, head, shoulders...and they would get big enough to then fall off (LOL)...for you to find at some point. My brother stepped on a present from Tango at night once. Seems he shed the second head he was growing. The spot would heal and he'd start growing another. The vet said these were fatty tumors and usually benign. He lived to be 16 and died perfectly healthy as of a few weeks earlier according to bloodwork.

 

[SteveJohn]

Those can happen above or below the surface of the skin and normally it's a benign cyst or growth. I had a ginger kitty who would grow these on the outside...neck, head, shoulders...and they would get big enough to then fall off (LOL)...for you to find at some point. My brother stepped on a present from Tango at night once. Seems he shed the second head he was growing. The spot would heal and he'd start growing another. The vet said these were fatty tumors and usually benign. He lived to be 16 and died perfectly healthy as of a few weeks earlier according to bloodwork.

oh wow

I’ve not seen that before.

my issue is this lump is where she had her injection for her yearly booster. But it’s not hard or small it’s quite big, soft and moveable under her skin. Very strange to grow like this in such a short space of time and it’s not going down or away. Hopefully the vets will take a sample and get it tested.

 

[FriendofFerals]

oh wow

I’ve not seen that before.

my issue is this lump is where she had her injection for her yearly booster. But it’s not hard or small it’s quite big, soft and moveable under her skin. Very strange to grow like this in such a short space of time and it’s not going down or away. Hopefully the vets will take a sample and get it tested.

Sounds like a granuloma from the injection. I have another cat with a hard, pink bump on his leg where he was bitten badly by a tomcat when he was still feral 5 years ago. The wound was stitched but the actual puncture hole healed and over the years its become larger. Granulomas are just scar tissues that keep producing cells over the scar area. It just happens sometimes. Sounds like your kitty has that at the site of her booster injection. Here's a pic of that granuloma spot on his right leg. It's round, hard, and slowly getting bigger but it's just scar tissue.

 

[SteveJohn]

Luna has come back from the vets, they have given her some anti inflammatory medicine for 7 days to see if the lump is to do with the injection she had. If no sign of going down then they will have to take a biopsy and then if that shows something bad so a CT scan.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hopefully the anti-inflammatory will help. What kind of biopsy? Perhaps a fine needle aspiration which is less invasive and generally only requires topical numbing agent rather than anesthesia/sedation?

Keep us posted.

 

[SteveJohn]

Hopefully the anti-inflammatory will help. What kind of biopsy? Perhaps a fine needle aspiration which is less invasive and generally only requires topical numbing agent rather than anesthesia/sedation?

Keep us posted.

He said about cutting her open at the lump site and doing a biopsy that way.

I really hope it goes down after this week. I’ve got pet insurance so the costs won’t really be an issue. It just doesn’t feel like a normal lump reaction from a booster injection.

 

[fionasmom]

I’ve got pet insurance so the costs won’t really be an issue.

Let us know what you find out if the vet proceeds with a biopsy.

 

[SteveJohn]

Let us know what you find out if the vet proceeds with a biopsy.

I will do, I’ve got a horrible feeling though. Just from feeling the lump I don’t think it’s gonna go down with the anti inflammatory at all.

 

[fionasmom]

Take one step at a time. There are lots of so-called lumps and many are benign.

 

[FeebysOwner]

 

[SteveJohn]

Well after 7 days of being on Anti inflammatory medication the lump seems to have gone down. It’s still there but smaller which is positive.