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Cats/siamese lump on belly

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Expert: - 11/16/2009


Question
i notice my `11 yr old siamese has a werid shape oval lump under her skin, you can push it about under the skin, it is about a inch or bigger, she is fix has been over 11 years, she is a indoor outside cat, she has never gain weight no matter how much we feed or worm her, she pulls at her hair.  I can't tell if it hurts her or not.Please help!

Answer
Hi Teresa.  You need to get your kitty to the vet right away.  Lumps are something to be worried about until a vet tells you they are not.  Some lumps are non-cancerous, such as pockets of fluid under the skin called sebaceous cysts.  These rarely get as large as the lump you have found.  There are also lipomas, deposits of fat under the skin.  Again, one that is over an inch big would be quite large for this type of growth.  

I'm concerned you may have found something cancerous.  There are many types, and on the belly, mammary cancer is common.  It certainly could be something that is not of concern, but your vet definitely needs to take a look to let you know.

I hope all turns out well!

Jessica  

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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