Cats » lumpy cat!

emmy	lumpy cat! my female cat has developed a lump on her side,its not huge but quite big,she's aquired a bit of an attitude problem and hisses and spits when you try to look at it. she had a lump before after she'd been fighting but let me see to it,but its looks like this lump is internal. i'm worried in case its a tumour.she's about 3 years old,been spayed so not pregnant,looks like a possible hernia??? please,any advice? 27/12/05 Answer this question
stuart	It would help to know where on the side this lump is, what it feels like, how big it is and how long it has taken to get to the size it is now. The most common cause of swellings are abscesses so it is worth having a good look for any signs of a wound. If there is a wound then if the cat is ok in itself bathe with warm salt water solution. If the cat is off colour as well as crabby then get her to a vet. Hernias are possible usually as the result of an injury and are potentially serious so again a trip to your vet is adviseable. Probably best not to feed before arrangeing an appointment. Please let us know the outcome. 28/12/05
emmy	hi,stuart,nice legs! if she's stood up the lump is on her right side,halfway down,practically in the middle of her side,by her ribs,its quite prominant and about the size of a ?2 coin,i cant feel it as she wont let me,but i cant see evidence of a wound.i noticed it a week ago,but kept an eye on it but its bigger now.she's still eating and drinking as normal.she's had "war wounds" before,she had to have her armpit sewn back up,and has had holes and cuts in various places as she's a bit of a fiesty young thing and likes a fight or too,even had a go at a fox once! she let me tend to those ones but this is different some how because of the fact that she's hissing and spitting at me too,any ideas or am i wanting to ring the vet? thankyou for your advice 29/12/05
stuart	My guess is that it is likely to be a foreign body or an abscess especially considering the cats nature. There is an outside possibility that it could be a traumatic muscle rupture and 'hernia'. Cats do not often develope skin tumours at this age. However it is obviously giving her some pain especially when you try to feel it so I suggest that you get her to a vet tomorrow. Don't feed her in the morning as it sounds likely that she will need sedation or even anaesthesia for a thorough examination and ring your vet as soon as they open in the morning. Hope all goes well and we wait to hear the progress. Thanks for the comment on the legs must be a flattering photograph. 29/12/05
emmy	lump seems to have got bigger,so taking smudgey to the vet this afternoon will let you know the outcome,good or bad,hopefully good news! thanks for your help so far 30/12/05
emmy	been to the vets,smudge had a huuuuge abcess,had to leave her there while they gave her some woozy stuff,popped and cleaned the wound she's now got some antibiotics and new appt,she's now feeling a bit sore and sorry for herself,bless her,hopefully stop fighting now!! thanks for all your help stuart! happy new year! 31/12/05
stuart	Glad it is nothing more serious. I hope she makes a full recovery. Happy new year. 1/1/06
emmy	Took Smudge for her check up with the vet,she's been given the all clear. She's feeling much better after a course of antibiotics and not so upset and angry,the chip on her shoulder has definately gotten smaller! The vet said she was very poorly,she even had a heart murmur because she was so sick but its gone now.She's about 98% at the moment,but getting there. The sweetheart in her has come back! Although her street cred is a bit bruised after her ?130 haircut but as long as she's better thats the main thing. Thank you very much for all your help Stuart, this site is invaluable,keep up the good work 5/1/06

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