Cat Lump

by reader

QUESTION:

My female cat has a growth 3/4 of the way down her back almost to her tail. It seems hard to the touch and she winces when it is touched. She is acting and eating normal. I am afraid to investigate it myself because I don't want to hurt her. She is petrified to go the vets, what could this be?


ANSWER:

The most serious thing it could be is a tumor which could be malignant. The only way to know what a growth is on anyone, human or animal, is to biopsy it or completely remove it.

Every cat with a growth should have it biopsied or removed because cats do not commonly get growths and when they do, we must find out if it is malignant.

I understand how traumatized a cat can be when taken to the vet. However, there are times when the vet visit is more important than the cat being stressed. This is one of those times. If it were to be cancer and you didn't have it removed and it grew large and couldn't be removed or metastacized to her lungs, you would not be able to forgive yourself.

Please make an appointment right away. I hope it turns out not to be serious. Thank you, Dr. Neely