Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 12/29/2009

Question
My cat has developed ((at least I think it has developed because I don't remember it being there before) a lump right where the adam's apple would be on a human (it's right on his "purr line, just below where the head meets the neck; I found it when I was petting him under his chin - it doesn't seem to cause him pain or be sensitive to touch), and I don't think cat's have adam's apples? I don't feel a lump in the same place of my other cat. It also seems to be getting larger.  I'm desperately hoping it's not cancer.

My questions are:
- Where would a cat's thyroid gland be? (the lump is on the very front/center)
- If the problem is a swollen thyroid gland, would there be other symptoms (like with hyper/hypo-thyroidism in humans)
- Do cats get nodules? Where? Other symptoms?
- What else could it be? (What are other things that could cause a lump there?)
- Do cats have adam's apples?
- If it's cancer, would he have other symptoms?
- If it is a malignant tumor, can it be removed? (I won't put him through chemo)
- If it is a benign tumor, does it have to be removed or can it be aspirated if it has fluid?
- What questions should I ask the vet?

Oliver is about 5-6 years old; gray-striped, blue eyes; neutered.  He has been coughing and sneezing more than usual.  He purrs loudly, but when he tries to speak, it sounds like a raspy whisper (he's always been this way). I basically feed him dry food (Science Diet), with a little wet food sometimes mixed in.  His behavior hasn't changed (other than the sneezing, etc.); he sleeps a lot and basically runs around at night and in the morning. He doesn't have any litter problems.  My other cat is sneezing more also (it started a couple months when I moved).


I know the answer is to take him to the vet and let her diagnose it, but I'd like to have some information when I go. I appreciate your help.

Thank you,

Marlene


Answer
This doesn't sound like any kind of thyroid issue Marlene. You are right, there would be some major symptoms if it were. Hyperthyroidism is what cats get and they lose weight, meow constantly for food and their hair coat become rather unkempt looking. The thyroid gland is a little lower than that and is small. Here is a page that describes it and shows it.

http://www.westlakeanimalhospital.com/encyclopedia/hyperthyroid_cat.htm

Cats do get nodule type lumps in the trachea, on the vocal chords etc. This would go along with the raspy voice also.

The sneezing etc is a respiratory infection, this may or may not have caused the lump as well. The vet really needs to take a look to know.

Most likely she will have to give him a sedative to take a good look at it unless she can feel it and know. Benign tumors only mean that they don't metastasize to other parts of the body. If it is a small tumor she can just remove it if it doesn't involve a lot of other tissues.

They most likely cannot be drained unless it is a cyst. That is a possibility also, but unlikely in that area.

Cats do not have adam's apples. They have a larynx and trachea like we do and it is usually smooth like a woman's.

I wouldn't panic until you see the vet. There aren't many things you can ask her until she tells you what it is or she thinks it is.

If this all turns out to be okay get both of these cats re-vaccinated for URIs. That will stop any future respiratory infections.

I hope Oliver will be okay. I would appreciate it if you would let me know what you find out.