Hi there,
Would love to get this community's take on this, as we just got back from the vet and dropped $980 to come out just as clueless as when we went in...
Our 11 yr old kitty Maceo seemed to have 'suddenly' developed a large, hard growth on the left side of his neck, almost as if it's on top of the upper part of the shoulder blade. It is *not* between the shoulder blades or on the jaw.
- It is rounded, and looks as if someone stuck a golf ball under his muscle
- It is on his neck / shoulder
- It is hard, like bone.
It seemed to have appeared suddenly after we took him for his daily walk (on leash, in back yard, 15 min outing), and he hurriedly ran back home. It's possible that it's been developing and we didn't notice it before as he lays around a lot and it's not that visible when he's laying. But, it seemed sudden.
The vet did a needle aspirate test to get some cells and look at them, and they determined that there's no bacterial infection. They also did a chest radiograph, 3 ways, and determined that there's no unusual growth in his lungs or heart.
He is eating and drinking normally, and doesn't seem to be in pain. He's not any more lethargic than usual, and went out for his usual backyard walk earlier today (before the 3 hours at the vet...!). His front legs seem to be functioning normally, and there doesn't seem to be any weird twisting nor pain (as in a joint dislocation). I can touch and press his bump and he doesn't react.
I am hesitant to subject him to a biopsy (and anesthesia etc) because he's 11 and that's just so traumatic. We are waiting for further lab results from the needle aspirate test, but I'm not holding my breath for anything conclusive.
Could this be a tumor? Could this be cancerous? He is indoor only (except for leashed / supervised walks) and eats a raw diet. He is 11 years old and otherwise very resilient.
Would greatly appreciate any thoughts!
Would love to get this community's take on this, as we just got back from the vet and dropped $980 to come out just as clueless as when we went in...
Our 11 yr old kitty Maceo seemed to have 'suddenly' developed a large, hard growth on the left side of his neck, almost as if it's on top of the upper part of the shoulder blade. It is *not* between the shoulder blades or on the jaw.
- It is rounded, and looks as if someone stuck a golf ball under his muscle
- It is on his neck / shoulder
- It is hard, like bone.
It seemed to have appeared suddenly after we took him for his daily walk (on leash, in back yard, 15 min outing), and he hurriedly ran back home. It's possible that it's been developing and we didn't notice it before as he lays around a lot and it's not that visible when he's laying. But, it seemed sudden.
The vet did a needle aspirate test to get some cells and look at them, and they determined that there's no bacterial infection. They also did a chest radiograph, 3 ways, and determined that there's no unusual growth in his lungs or heart.
He is eating and drinking normally, and doesn't seem to be in pain. He's not any more lethargic than usual, and went out for his usual backyard walk earlier today (before the 3 hours at the vet...!). His front legs seem to be functioning normally, and there doesn't seem to be any weird twisting nor pain (as in a joint dislocation). I can touch and press his bump and he doesn't react.
I am hesitant to subject him to a biopsy (and anesthesia etc) because he's 11 and that's just so traumatic. We are waiting for further lab results from the needle aspirate test, but I'm not holding my breath for anything conclusive.
Could this be a tumor? Could this be cancerous? He is indoor only (except for leashed / supervised walks) and eats a raw diet. He is 11 years old and otherwise very resilient.
Would greatly appreciate any thoughts!
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