Last Saturday, I took both Odo and Zek to the vet; Odo's eye was watering and Zek needed one more recheck on his bloodwork (he previously had a high white cell count, which we treated with antibiotics (see his history here)--and we wanted to confirm that it had stayed low after waiting another month). While we were there, the wonderful vet tech took Zek's temperature and noticed a small nodule on Zek's left rear leg. The nodule was smaller than a pea, and I hadn't noticed it before (though I don't often feel around at that end of the cat).
The vet took a small sample (needle biopsy) and examined it under the microscope. She said that the sample was full of cellular debris, and it was probably just a cyst but to keep an eye on it. True to form, I've been keeping close tabs on the bump. After the vet had taken a sample, the nodule seemed to elongate (originally it felt spherical, but now the first nodule is more oval in shape).
Almost 24 hours ago, I noticed a second nodule, small and spherical, next to the first. It also feels like a third one may be forming though I could be imagining that--it just feels like there is some thickening under the skin next to the second nodule. They don't appear to itch, but he doesn't like it when I mess with them. The fur and skin are still intact in that area, and there isn't any sign of oozing.
We have an appointment first thing on Saturday morning (my vet is not in the office tomorrow) and I'm trying not to panic in the meantime. Zek's only about 2 years old (I adopted him from the shelter in October 2007). I don't know if he's had a rabies vaccine (the shelter apparently didn't give him one nor has my vet) but they did give him a FeLV vaccine on 9/27/07 (I won't be continuing with that as he isn't at risk of exposure). He certainly doesn't act sick (he's currently running all over the place) but he didn't seem sick when he WBC count was double high normal either.
Does anyone have ideas about what this might be so that I can do lots of research before the vet appointment? I'm terrified it could be a vaccine-associated sarcoma, but I don't know his symptoms fit the profile. Are there other possible causes of nodules popping up practically overnight?
The vet took a small sample (needle biopsy) and examined it under the microscope. She said that the sample was full of cellular debris, and it was probably just a cyst but to keep an eye on it. True to form, I've been keeping close tabs on the bump. After the vet had taken a sample, the nodule seemed to elongate (originally it felt spherical, but now the first nodule is more oval in shape).
Almost 24 hours ago, I noticed a second nodule, small and spherical, next to the first. It also feels like a third one may be forming though I could be imagining that--it just feels like there is some thickening under the skin next to the second nodule. They don't appear to itch, but he doesn't like it when I mess with them. The fur and skin are still intact in that area, and there isn't any sign of oozing.
We have an appointment first thing on Saturday morning (my vet is not in the office tomorrow) and I'm trying not to panic in the meantime. Zek's only about 2 years old (I adopted him from the shelter in October 2007). I don't know if he's had a rabies vaccine (the shelter apparently didn't give him one nor has my vet) but they did give him a FeLV vaccine on 9/27/07 (I won't be continuing with that as he isn't at risk of exposure). He certainly doesn't act sick (he's currently running all over the place) but he didn't seem sick when he WBC count was double high normal either.
Does anyone have ideas about what this might be so that I can do lots of research before the vet appointment? I'm terrified it could be a vaccine-associated sarcoma, but I don't know his symptoms fit the profile. Are there other possible causes of nodules popping up practically overnight?