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Cats/Lump On My Cats Throat

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Expert: - 9/28/2011


Question
I found a lump on my cats throat this morning and I hadn't notice it before but I haven't seen him in a couple days. But when I got home tonight I found that it seemed to have popped and there is now blood very slowly dripping from his neck. What is it and what do I do?!

Answer
Hi Tessa,

This is possibly an abscess, but it certainly is something that needs to be examined by the vet. An abscess is a pocket of infection under the skin, usually introduced by a bite wound or some other puncture. The surface wound heals up quickly, but bacteria is trapped under the skin. An infection develops, and pus collects, causing a lump. Eventually, the infection ruptures through the skin, oozing blood and pus. The infection needs to be squeezed out and drained, and the cat needs to be placed on antibiotics for this to clear up. If it's not treated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream causing a systemic infection. This condition, called septicemia, can be deadly.

There are other causes of lumps, including cysts and tumors, but these are usually very slow to develop and do not leak blood unless they are either infected (in the case of cysts) or reach advanced states (in the case of tumors).

So, as stated, get him in to the vet ASAP to have it properly diagnosed and treated.

Hope he feels better soon!

Jessica

Cats

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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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