What to do if your cat has a lump on his neck

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When owners notice that a cat has a bump on the withers, a variety of thoughts arise in their heads. In this situation, the first thing you should remember is whether your pet has recently been vaccinated.

A reaction in the form of bumps at the injection site after vaccination is a common occurrence in cats and dogs, and it does not matter how old the animal is: a year or ten. Read about the options for this complication, as well as other causes of a tumor on the withers of a cat, in this article.

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What diseases can be caused

There are many diseases that cause a lump on the neck. Interstitial fluid, immune cells, and blood accumulate inside it. Each cause has a different treatment and must be diagnosed. The sooner this is done, the higher the chance of saving the cat’s life and health.

A lump under a pet's jaw should alert any owner

Benign and malignant neoplasms

A benign neoplasm is an increase in the number of different tissues that lead to a tumor. Benign means there are no stem cells that can spread throughout the body, causing metastases and organ damage. The tumor itself is not dangerous, but as it grows, the nervous and vascular tissues are compressed and neighboring organs are damaged.

A malignant tumor on the neck of a cat is the presence of mutated cells similar in structure to stem cells. They gradually multiply and increase in size. When cancer migrates through blood vessels, metastases form in the kidneys, liver, and brain. There they lead to dysfunction and gradual death of the animal.

Important! Both conditions are similar in the initial stages. Tumors can also develop on the neck, forming a lump.

Lipoma

Lipoma is a benign neoplasm. The lump appears due to the accumulation of fat cells that form a capsule around themselves. The formation is not dangerous until it begins to compress the blood vessels and nerve tissues in the neck. If it reaches a large size, it can make it difficult to breathe and move food through the esophagus.

Abscess

An abscess is an accumulation of fluid in a capsule. It can develop in any part of the body. An abscess is dangerous because purulent exudate can accumulate inside it, the capsule will burst, and the liquid will spread throughout the intercellular substance, entering the vessels. This will cause sepsis and death of the cat without long-term treatment.

Inside the abscess there is interstitial fluid with admixtures of immune cells that have penetrated into the cavity. A ball appears on the neck under the skin of a cat, which can occur as a result of mechanical damage, inflammatory and infectious processes, compression of tissue by a collar and other reasons.

Abscess

Lymphadenitis

The disease occurs due to excessively enlarged lymph nodes. They can hypertrophy due to the following reasons:

• mycobacteria;
• fungi;
• parasites;
• bacteria;
• viruses.

Note! Lymph nodes cannot develop to enormous sizes with a single exposure to a pathogenic microorganism. The cat must often suffer from diseases, which will gradually lead to an increase in tissue. It can grow to such a size that it interferes with normal chewing of food, breathing, and blood circulation.

Ixodid tick

The parasite lives in plants, it clings to the animal’s fur, gradually moving to its skin. The tick attaches itself through the skin, feeding on blood. Many species of ixodid ticks carry borreliosis, hemorrhagic fever, and meningoencephalitis.

Some types of ticks carry infections, viruses that lead to the formation of bumps on the skin. This is a focus of inflammation in which immune cells, tissue fluid, and pathogens accumulate.

Important! The immune system actively fights the infection, lymphocytes release inflammatory mediators, which further enlarges the lump on the cat’s neck.

Insect bites and scratches

Some cats may live outside temporarily or permanently. There are also insects that inject poison when they bite an animal. This causes an immune reaction. Lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mast cells accumulate in the lesions. They begin to release inflammatory mediators, which forms a tumor on the cat’s neck. In fact, this is a compaction that is temporary. When the inflammatory reaction is complete, the immune system will destroy the tactical substance, and the lump will go away on its own.

Note! Many owners notice that their cat's neck is swollen after being scratched. If it is not treated, an infection may enter the wound, which will also cause an inflammatory reaction and swelling.

Mastitis

Mastitis can occur due to severe cold in the cat or due to stagnation of milk. The condition leads to an inflammatory reaction in the mammary glands. The tissues increase greatly in size. Immune cells move there. They can accumulate above the source of inflammation in the neck. Therefore, when owners see a lump under the cat’s jaw, they wonder what it is.

A cat has a lump under its skin - possible causes

If the owner discovers a ball under the skin of a cat, he should consult a veterinarian.
The appearance of tumors on an animal’s body can be associated with benign or malignant tumors. Some formations under the skin do not require medical intervention and do not pose a serious threat to the pet. But there are a number of diseases that require immediate conservative treatment or surgical intervention.

Any bumps on a cat’s body are a reason to contact a veterinarian and you should not self-medicate. Particular attention should be paid to those neoplasms under the pet’s skin that are prone to rapid growth and their number is increasing.

Subcutaneous bumps may bleed or cause significant discomfort to your pet.

Only in a veterinary hospital will a competent doctor be able to prescribe a full examination (biopsy, blood biochemistry, urine analysis, ultrasound or x-ray) and make an accurate diagnosis, as well as prescribe adequate treatment.

Signs

The cause of the appearance of a lump under the skin of a cat can be cancerous tumors, lymphadenitis, hernias, benign tumors (lipomas, wen, papillomas, fibromas).

Cats are often diagnosed with lumps under the skin that develop as a result of inflammatory processes of the skin - furunculosis, folliculitis, carbuncles, abscesses, and phlegmon. The cause of a cone in a cat can also be the bite of a poisonous insect - a wasp, bee or bumblebee.

Depending on what type of tumor the animal has under the skin, the symptoms will be different. If a ball is found under the skin of a cat's neck, the cause may be a benign or malignant tumor. The main signs of benign neoplasms are:

• long-term development;
• a clear boundary between healthy and modified tissue structures;
• presence of encapsulation;
• absence of metastases;
• roundness of shape and smoothness of surface.

Malignant neoplasms are characterized, on the contrary, by rapid growth, the presence of sites of stasis and the occurrence of ulcerations. Balls under the skin associated with malignant tumors have a bumpy surface with areas of necrosis of tissue structures.

A tumor diagnosed under the skin on the cat’s abdomen may well turn out to be a benign formation – a lipoma. The main differences between this neoplasm and a malignant one are the absence of rapid growth, soft structure, and roundness of shape.

A characteristic feature of a lipoma is its ease of movement, as if a ball were rolling under the skin of a cat. Lipoma does not require immediate removal. In the vast majority of clinical cases, the neoplasm is systematically monitored by specialists.

To differentiate a lipoma from a possible malignant neoplasm, it is advisable to perform a biopsy, as well as laboratory tests of the animal’s blood and urine.

Types and reasons

The appearance of a lump on a cat’s neck under the skin, abdomen, head or paws may be associated with a malignant or benign neoplasm. The main reasons for the appearance of balls under the skin of a pet are:

• Abscess. A purulent formation that occurs as a result of a pet being bitten by another animal. As a result of a specific reaction of the body, leukocytes are sent to the site of damage to further combat pathogenic microflora. As a result, pus is formed, containing dead bacterial microorganisms along with dead leukocytes. An abscess can be large and located in a variety of places on the body. Thus, the appearance of a lump on a cat’s neck caused by an abscess leads to painful sensations in the animal, and there is a significant increase in body temperature in the affected area. Hair loss may also occur at the site of the injury.

• Skin cancer. Not all malignant skin tumors lead to the appearance of bumps on the cat’s stomach or other parts of the body. But some types of cancer, such as melanoma, sarcoma, sebaceous tumor, mastocytoma or basal cell carcinoma, can cause lumps to appear under the skin.
• Contact type dermatitis. A disease that occurs as a result of pet contact with potential allergens - household chemicals, hazardous chemicals or poisonous plants.
• Acne. Having felt a ball under the skin of a cat’s neck, the owner may be very afraid for the health of his pet. But it may just be acne, which is a pimple that forms in the chin and neck area, as well as the tail. The development of pathology is associated with blockage of the sebaceous glands. There are cat breeds that have a genetic predisposition to the disease.
• Hematoma. As a result of damage and injury, a hematoma (subcutaneous hemorrhage) may form under the cat’s skin. Hematomas are most often diagnosed on the hind legs (results of jumping from a height), the head (after fights with other cats).
• Injection granuloma. A lump that appears in the neck area at the injection site may be a granuloma. This pathological change occurs quite often after vaccination of cats. The bumps are capable of self-resorption and go away on their own without medical help a few days after the injection. But in some cases, the lump under the skin may grow and in this case it is important to consult a veterinarian.
• Wen. A lipoma, or in other words a wen, is a benign neoplasm that occurs as a result of pathological changes in adipose tissue. The appearance of lipomas is observed, as a rule, in animals after 7 years of age.
• Eosinophilic granuloma. Damage of an inflammatory nature, more often occurring on the upper lip than on the lower lip and other parts of the muzzle. Eosinophilic granuloma appears as an ulcerative lesion, and the causes are still not clearly defined.
• Mastitis. Lumps on a cat's nipples, which occur more often in cats that have not been sterilized, are called mastitis. The occurrence of mastitis has also been noted in cats during active lactation. The pathology is characterized by an inflammatory process in the mammary glands, leading to discomfort in the animal and an increase in body temperature to high levels. Without the intervention of a veterinary specialist, coping with the disease is quite problematic.
• Tumors of the mammary glands. New growths of the mammary glands look like multiple nodules localized on milk bags, closer to the groin area. Breast cancer is characterized by the appearance of nodular neoplasms on milk bags, hot to the touch, over time acquiring a red tint, and begin to bleed. In addition, purulent exudate may be released from the nipples, which indicates the last stages of cancer.

Treatment of cones

After diagnostic measures are carried out, treatment is prescribed for the bumps under the skin of the cat, depending on the reasons that caused the pathological process.

Purulent abscesses and phlegmons must be opened (if the abscess has not opened independently). The affected area is treated with antiseptic agents, and systemic antimicrobial drugs are prescribed to eliminate the spread of infection throughout the body through the bloodstream.

A lump on the neck can only be cured in a veterinary clinic, especially if it is a cancerous tumor.

READ Where do bumps on a cat's stomach come from? How to treat bumps on a cat's stomach

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, surgery is prescribed to remove the tumor, and specific treatment is carried out using chemicals (chemotherapy).

A ball that forms on a cat’s neck under the skin as a result of an injection usually goes away on its own. Injection granuloma can only be treated if the lump does not go away for more than 14 days, but on the contrary, causes discomfort and pain in the pet.

Any subcutaneous bumps on the body of cats require special attention from the owner and immediate contact with a veterinarian. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the higher the likelihood of timely treatment and a favorable outcome. This is due to the fact that some benign neoplasms that look like bumps on a cat tend to degenerate into malignant ones, developing at high speed.

An abscess or phlegmon that is not treated in a timely manner may not open out, and the bacterial microflora contained in the pus can penetrate the systemic bloodstream, causing blood poisoning or inflammation of the membranes of the brain. In this case, the chances of a favorable prognosis are significantly reduced.

Diagnostics

To identify the cause of the seal, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian, who will prescribe the following diagnostic tests:

• general clinical analysis of urine and blood, blood biochemistry;
• puncture of fluid from the cone;
• Ultrasound of the abdomen on the left or right side, where the tumor is located;
• palpation on the right and left of the neck to determine the symmetry of the tissues and the presence of compactions;
• X-ray of the neck.

For your information! When a puncture is performed, the liquid is sent for laboratory analysis. Can detect bacteria, viruses, fungi, and various toxins. For this purpose, PCR, ELISA, bacteriological culture, and microscopy are used.

Sometimes the doctor only needs one palpation to make an accurate diagnosis.

An ultrasound scan reveals the presence of liquid or solid contents of the lump. X-rays can show tissue damage and the presence of a tumor. Using palpation, the doctor determines the density of the formation. It can be connected to the capsule or be separate from it, moving like a ball.

Types and signs of subcutaneous formations

Subcutaneous neoplasias (tumors) can be benign or malignant. The former pose a danger only if they grow to large sizes and begin to infringe on nearby organs. Malignant formations (sarcomas and fibrosarcomas) cause cell degeneration, metastasis and therefore often lead to the death of the animal.

Benign subcutaneous tumors, depending on the histological structure and causes of formation, are divided into several categories:

• Hematoma. This is a painful lump caused by damage to small vessels due to injury. Usually has a purple color (“bruise”), as it is an accumulation of blood under the skin, and may be accompanied by a local increase in temperature. The hematoma can fester, forming a cyst.
• Post-injection infiltrate. A small lump formed at the injection site. If there is no infection, it practically does not cause any disturbance in the animal’s well-being and resolves on its own.
• Lipoma (“wen”), a subcutaneous lump that is soft to the touch and prone to growth. Such a ball under the skin of a cat easily moves when pressed, without causing any discomfort. These neoplasms form from connective tissue in areas where fat cells are abundant and are often found on the abdomen of older animals.

Lipoma (wen) in cats

• Cavernous hemangioma. Vascular proliferation, which is a soft, lumpy nodular formation of a bright red or blue-purple color.
• Syringoepithelioma. This is a modified element of part of the sweat gland in the form of a nodule up to 1.5 cm in size. The skin over the lump usually retains its normal color, and the tumor itself does not cause concern to the animal: it does not hurt or itch. In cats, this type of neoplasm often forms on the abdomen.

• Abscess (ulcer, abscess). The cause of the development of an abscess can be a wound, an insect bite, an unsuccessful injection or scratching on the skin (for example, with “cat scabies” - notoedrosis). The condition for abscess formation of a seal on the neck, abdomen or head of a cat is that the damaged skin gets infected with a bacterial infection. Ulcers are painful and can cause fever and fever.
• Cyst. This is the name of a round-shaped capsule filled with serous contents. Such “balls” can be located on any part of the cat’s body; their sizes vary from 2-3 mm to several centimeters. Cysts grow slowly and are usually painless. Most often, these tumors are harmless and are formed as a result of blockage of the sebaceous gland (atheroma, pilar cysts) or lymph node.

Cyst on a cat's head

A small lump of unknown origin, similar to a ball under the skin on the neck or head of a cat, may be a tick that has penetrated and drunk on blood. It must be carefully removed entirely so that the remaining part of the insect under the skin does not lead to the development of an abscess. The lump can also form as a result of a small foreign body getting under the cat's skin. In the subcutaneous tissue, the foreign body is encapsulated and looks like a round solid formation.

Treatment options depending on the cause

To treat a cat and prevent relapse of the disease, the cause is first identified. Only after this are various methods of therapy prescribed. This is the most effective method.

Treatment of a benign tumor

Benign tumors are eliminated using surgery. The tissue is incised, the tumor and capsule are removed, and sutured. If the lump is small, it can be left in the animal’s body, periodically checking for the possibility of its growth.

Lipoma treatment

Lipoma is treated in the same way as a benign tumor. The doctor may remove it if it is interfering with the cat's activities. For example, the presence of a lipoma in the front makes the swallowing reflex and breathing difficult. If it is minor, it is left without damaging the tissue.

The cat moves away quickly after the lump is removed

Abscess treatment

Most often, the abscess is eliminated. To do this, the method of suction using a syringe is used. To eliminate the negative impact on the cat, he is given local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Important! If the resulting fluid is yellowish or purulent, antibiotics are prescribed, as this is a sign of bacterial inflammation.

Treatment of lymphadenitis

To eliminate lymphadenitis, it is necessary to eliminate the infectious or viral load on the animal’s body. Stimulate his immune system so that it can better cope with infection. Vaccination can be used for this. A small amount of pathogenic microorganisms is injected subcutaneously, which reacts with the immune system.

Treatment of ticks

To prevent ticks, drops, tablets, and injections are used, which destroy the attached tick before it injects poison. If the animal does become infected, medications are used that completely neutralize the toxins. These medications are very harmful to the liver. After this, the animal should be fed food that reduces the load on the liver.

Treatment of scratches

If a scratch appears on the animal’s body, it should be treated with an antiseptic. This could be miramistin, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, baneocin. This will prevent infection from invading.

Treatment of insect bites

If the insect has low toxicity, the animal’s body will cope on its own. But an antihistamine should be given to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Treatment of mastitis

If purulent mastitis appears, broad-spectrum antibiotics are immediately given. If the lump does not resolve on its own, your veterinarian may remove it during surgery.

Treatment of hematoma

If the animal has a hematoma, it is sucked out using a syringe. But if the hematoma is minor, they give the animal the opportunity to recover on its own.

A lump on an animal's body can mean a temporary phenomenon or a serious illness. It can appear in any area of ​​the neck, occupying the right or left side, back or front. This is important for the doctor, since the seal can impair blood circulation and put pressure on the nerves, esophagus, and respiratory tract. In any case, it can be cured if you consult a specialist in time.

Reasons for appearance

Bumps on a cat's back can be of different nature. They may vary in shape, size, color and size. Based on these indicators and examination results, a diagnosis is made. The reasons for the appearance of a tumor in an animal can be as follows:

1. cancerous malignancy;
2. benign tumor;
3. abscesses resulting from injuries and bruises;
4. demodicosis (subcutaneous mite);
5. purulent inflammation due to scratching;
6. wen;
7. a bun from an injection in the withers.

Analyzing each cause separately, you can find that most of these diseases require serious veterinary prescription. This is especially true for the situation with solid, fast-growing tumors. They can appear due to exposure to negative factors, such as improper or poor-quality nutrition, poor environmental conditions, frequent stress, and inadequate care.

Subcutaneous mites (demodex) and abscesses due to mechanical damage can occur in any cat that is allowed to roam freely. During the warm season, animals love to spend time in trees and grass, where the culprits of demodicosis – ticks – live. March showdowns between yard cats often lead to injuries and damage, and direct physical contact is fraught with infection with fleas and lichen.

What will be offered at the veterinary center

To determine the characteristics of a tumor in the neck, the doctor:

• conduct a survey;
• examines;
• will do all the necessary tests.

What can a survey provide? Sometimes the age of the cat can tell what is wrong with the fluffy one. Young cats rarely have bumps. For example, wen most often appears at 4-5 years of a cat’s life. And tumors that are preceded by poor nutrition or allergies do not occur in kittens.

The examination involves feeling the lump. Perhaps, if it is a large abscess, then it will be eliminated immediately by removing the pus and washing the wound.

If additional data is needed for a complete picture, the doctor will refer you for detailed tests and procedures.:

• Ultrasound;
• Histo- and cyto-examination;
• Donation of blood and urine.

This will help determine how to further treat and care for the cat. Does he need surgery or specific therapy?

One of the most dangerous and varied in symptoms diseases is skin cancer in cats. 75% of all registered skin tumors in cats are malignant. Depending on the type of tumor cell, treatment, prognosis, and clinical signs vary greatly. In this regard, one of the most important stages of therapy is accurate diagnosis of pathology.

Types of tumors

Based on their origin, tumors are divided into primary (initially arising in the skin) and secondary tumors (cancer cells brought in from the lymph). According to localization, they can be divided into single and multiple. According to the flow - into malignant and benign.

The skin is the largest organ in cats and is made up of several layers, each made up of a unique type of cell. Because of this, the most important classification is the division according to histological composition :

• Cutaneous lymphoma.
• Mast cell tumors.
• Melanocytic tumors.
• Soft tissue sarcomas.
• Squamous cell carcinoma.

When making a diagnosis, it is very important to distinguish skin tumors from similar diseases:

• viral damage to the dermis;
• genetic abnormalities;
• changes associated with hormonal disorders;
• hyperplastic;
• granulomatous processes.

For this, as well as to establish the histological composition of the tumor, prints and scrapings from tissues, aspirates and biopsies are taken.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Description. The tumor originates from flat cells of the epidermis. In the early stages, the neoplasm has the appearance of erosions with convex borders, reminiscent of productive papillomas or cauliflower.

Symptoms. The main location is the fingers and head (ears, nose, lips). This is due to the fact that the predisposing factor is an excess of sunlight.

Flow. Typically, the tumor does not affect the lower layers of the skin, although in advanced cases it can reach the subcutaneous layer.

Forecast. Typically, squamous cell carcinoma is well localized and does not spread through blood and lymph, so with proper resection the prognosis is favorable.

Treatment. Due to high differentiation, surgery is the most effective. The problem may be cancer on the tip of the nose. The nose, along with the pterygoid cartilages, is removed, and later, in several stages, reconstruction is made from the surrounding skin (by moving flaps).

Sarcomas

Description. It comes from mesenchymal cells of the dermis and subcutaneous layer, which include muscle, fat, fibrous, and vascular cells. Laboratory samples are taken to determine the histological type of sarcoma. Some sarcomas do not have clear differentiation and are called spindle cell or anaplastic.

Signs . They are the same for all histological types of sarcomas; a neoplasm develops anywhere, deep in the skin. Usually the tumor does not have clear boundaries, but sometimes, due to rapid development, a false “capsule” of compressed healthy tissue is formed around it. It is not real and cancer cells are often found outside of it.

Flow. Sarcomas develop in older cats (up to 9 years old), with the exception of fibroscarcoma, which develops in pets up to 5 years old. The disease is dangerous and often metastasizes to the lungs and other organs.

Forecast. From cautious to unfavorable. Metastases occur in 25% of fibrosarcomas; cancerous hemangiopericytes rarely metastasize (but often relapse). Anaplastic sarcomas and hemangiosarcomas are the most dangerous; they metastasize in most cases and quickly spread throughout the body through the blood.

Treatment. Sarcomas are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, so the only effective treatment is resection. If the tumor is localized on a limb, it is amputated; if it is localized on the skin, the largest possible area is captured.

Melanocytic tumors

Description. They appear from melanocytes, which belong to the basement membrane (the junction of the epidermis and dermis). They usually develop in the oral cavity and are malignant. Melanomas appear less frequently on the skin, but in this case they become benign.

Treatment

Therapeutic measures if a lump under the skin is detected in a cat depends on the nature of the neoplasia, its size and clinical symptoms. Some forms of benign subcutaneous tumors do not require treatment. For example, a hematoma, a post-injection infiltrate uncomplicated by an inflammatory process, or a small lipoma not prone to growth do not require therapy. Large wen, cavernous hemangiomas and sweat gland epitheliomas are usually removed surgically under local anesthesia.

More complex treatment is required for types of subcutaneous tumors such as an abscess or cyst. If you find subcutaneous ulcers in your cat, you should contact a veterinary clinic. There, a specialist will open the abscess cavity, wash out the pus from it, then disinfect the cavity with furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. To prevent infection, your cat may be prescribed a course of antibiotics.

Attention! Many cat owners believe that a cat’s abscess can simply be squeezed out, and the wound will quickly heal on its own. Veterinarians consider such actions dangerous. There is a high probability of pathological microflora entering an open wound, and incorrect movements when removing exudate can lead to its movement into deeper layers, which is fraught with repeated severe abscess.

First aid at home

Lymphadenitis, regardless of the form and nature of the course, cannot be ignored due to the development of possible complications.

First aid at home is aimed at improving and normalizing the general condition of the pet. It is impossible to recommend specific treatment methods, since lymphadenitis is most often a consequence of various pathologies and diseases.

The choice of drugs for general and local therapy depends on the cause. Cold compresses and anti-inflammatory medications will help relieve inflammation. To eliminate pain, analgesics are given.

Symptoms

If the bump on the head of a cat or kitten is benign, then it is soft to the touch, rolls under the skin, and does not hurt or bother you when pressed. Internal malignant growths often appear as capsules that can be normal temperature or hot. A lump on the withers, on the side of the neck or on the mucous membrane in the throat from degenerated cells quickly increases in size. In addition, an adult cat or kitten develops the following symptoms:

• weakness;
• irritability or lethargy;
• digestive problems;
• refusal to eat;
• sudden weight loss;
• dyspepsia.

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