Expert: Becky - 8/27/2005

Question
My female 1 yr old cat has a swelling the size of a quarter in width, and about 1 1/2 centimeters in height. It is slightly above her left flank, on the front side of her flank.
We are quite sure its not a bite, and she seems to be  very distant and indifferent towards me, my mother, and her 3-month-old kittten.
I'm so worried and I hope that you can help.
Annie

Answer
Annie,
This is hard to tell , not being able to see your cat and feel the swelling. It could be numerous things. It could be a fatty tumor which you could have removed and really is not life threatening.  It could be some type of infection, and it could get worse.  You need to monitor her and make sure she is eating and drinking.  If you press on it, does she cry out in pain?  If it has infection in it, it might burst.  If so, clean it out good with peroxide, NOT alcohol.   I wish I could help you more, but at this point, it's really a guessing game. If it were me... I would watch it closely to see if it grows, I would keep an eye on her to see if she eats and drinks.  She may be acting distant to you because she doesn't feel well.  If she begins to stop eating/drinking and acting sick, I would take her to the vet.

God Bless,
Becky