found lump on cat

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I found a good-sized lump on my elderly cat Porky. It's on her chest just below her neck. I only noticed it in the last few days. It is firm; the skin looks shiny. She's scratched at it a little, but it's not open or oozing. She's the one that I can't seem to rid of fleas, so first I guessed she'd irritated a bite. The lump seems to be getting bigger in just a day or two, but I could be thinking that because I'm worried. An online search would suggest a mast cell tumor. Based on the vet's estimate, she's around 16. She isn't acting off at all, and her appetite is normal. She's been a demanding and anxiety-prone cat right along. Sigh.     

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Update: I weighed Porky last night, first time in a long time. She has lost several pounds, but she is fuzzy and fluffy, so how long that's taken is a question. She was overweight by some half of what she has lost. I may get her some richer canned food when I go to the grocery. Not sure if it is better to stuff more calories per serving, or not. I have waffled a long time over taking her to the vet out in the country, who I've known and trusted for many years, or going to the vet around the corner. I have some guilty feelings about not taking her for check-ups, but then, nothing has been different till now. I decided less road time is probably better. The country clinic is a generous hour away, and longer in the wintery weather coming. She is so old and so anxiety-prone. I will see what they have to say here. I will be surprised if surgery is not recommended, and hope that the growth is not cancerous. If I don't feel comfortable with what they propose or who we see, I can always at least go for a second opinion.

[grannyg]

Hugs....they will probably aspirate the lump and do a culture...could just be a fatty tumor, hopefully.....hope you get good news....

[Maura]

My dog has those. One big lump was removed from his toe. After 25 plus years as a vet, she said she has never seen that type of tumor. He has more lumps, but as long as they are loose and free, they are left alone. I suspect your vet will have an opinion just by feeling the lump. At her age anesthesia is a factor and the vet won't want to put her under to remove the lump unless it is life threatening.

If she is loosing weight, even without the lump, she needs to see the vet. Weight loss can be a sign of things not working rather than not eating enough.

If she needs more calories, I think feeding her more meals would be ideal. It's also a good way to sneak in meds.

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Nov 18, 2017 16:54:35 GMT Maura said:

My dog has those. One big lump was removed from his toe. After 25 plus years as a vet, she said she has never seen that type of tumor. He has more lumps, but as long as they are loose and free, they are left alone. I suspect your vet will have an opinion just by feeling the lump. At her age anesthesia is a factor and the vet won't want to put her under to remove the lump unless it is life threatening.

If she is loosing weight, even without the lump, she needs to see the vet. Weight loss can be a sign of things not working rather than not eating enough.

If she needs more calories, I think feeding her more meals would be ideal. It's also a good way to sneak in meds.

Thanks, Maura. I found a number of pictures online that look a lot like this, a mixed blessing as always, of course. If this is what those pictures suggest, the incidence of cancer is low, though possible. I have a general fear of anesthesia, anyway, critters or me. I hadn't put her age and the dangers of that together, so thanks. Appointment is scheduled for Wednesday. Of course I'd like to go right away, but it isn't an emergency. I am less stressed just having this on the calendar. I only have the two cats inside, so there is food available much of the time. I don't put too much at once since both cats tend to eat a little then wander off. Both will come look at the left-overs or sit beside same, but not eat till they get fresh. The outside cat will eat anything. 

[oma2three]

Hoping you get good news about the lump,that it is not cancer.Let us know what the vet said.Our animals are so dear to us, things like that are scary.