Hi there,
Where exactly on the belly is the lump?
At what age was your kitty spayed?
Is the lump just under the skin, or is it deeper in tissue?
Is the lump easily moveable or is it solidly in place?
Is the surface of the lump ulcerated, differently colored than the surrounding skin or missing hair?
Approx. how large is it?
Let me know and I will try to help.....
Thank you for the additional information.
I am worried about this lump because your kitty has not been spayed (that you know of) and it is located in the mammary chain. Intact female cats are at an increased risk for mammary and reproductive cancers. These types of cancers can be nasty and aggressive, and it is not uncommon for the entire mammary chain to have to be removed if a tumor is present. I do not want to panic you, but I think it would be a very good idea for you to have your kitty seen sometime this week by her vet, preferrably tomorrow. This lump will need to be examined and your vet will need to determine if it is something that you should worry about. Some additional tests may need to be done, like an aspirate. In an aspirate, your vet will insert a very small needle into the mass and remove some cells from it. The cells will be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope to try and determine if cancer is present. Your vet may reccomend surgical removal of the lump, and that it be sent to a pathologist for examination as well. Radiographs of the abdomen and chest may also be suggested, as some of the reproductive cancers like to metastasize to other internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs). And, your vet will most likely recomend that your kitty be spayed as well.
It is not uncommon for stray cats to be spayed when they find their new homes, and this may be the case with your kitty. Her previous owners may have already had her spayed and since we have no way of knowing her history.......This lump could be something very benign and not require any further attention, but I feel strongly that it should be checked out very soon just in case. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. If this has been helpful, please hit the green accept button. Keep me posted, I am curious as to what the vet finds. Good luck!
I am sorry you lost your other cat, I can understand why you would be so concerned. I know you love your kitty, and would not want her to have a hard time. Hopefully the vet will have some good news for you.
You only have to pay one time, for this particular round of questioning while it is open. There is a time limit I believe, so as long as we are within the time frame you do not pay more than once. If you find out some new information after this question closes, you will have to submit another question and pay again. You can think of all the replies to the main question as part of the same answer, and submit payment only once :).
Emergency Critical Care Nurse
16+ years of veterinary experience
I want to say you have 7 days.....But if for some reason this question is closed before your mobile vet comes, just list another question addressed to me (ERAnimalNurse) and I will get it. We cannot correspond by email unfortunately. It is your choice when to press accept and pay, so if you want to wait that's not a problem. I kind of consider this to be related to the original question and you should not be penalized because it will take until Thursday for kitty to be seen.
You are pretty lucky to have found a mobile vet in your area, this can be very convenient and less stressful on your kitty. I am always here, so you should be able to find me.....keep me posted.