My cat has a black growth on his lip and is very tired. Is it cancer?

The most common causes of oral tumors in cats are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma. A black tumor would be more suspicious of melanoma. In either of these cases, you want to get it removed and identified soon, because they are all cancerous. However, there are many benign (non- cancerous) causes of nodules in the mouth, so don't worry too much yet. A veterinarian may see it and not be as concerned based on the appearance. I hope that helps and all turns out OK with Alexis.

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! It is difficult to say from the pictures but because it is black and is on an area where there is not much hair, I am concerned it could be a melanoma, which is a type of cancerous tumor. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine this and consider further testing on this to ensure it is nothing to be worried about. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

From the picture, it could be that Lemon has a papilloma (benign tumor) or another kind of benign tumor. In a senior cat, there is always a chance it could be a malignant tumor. Any suspicious lumps should be examined by the vet. The vet can perform a test called a fine needle aspirate on it. To do this, the vet sticks a small needle into the lump to get a sample of it's cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. I would have Lemon seen by a vet in the morning to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If it is pendulous and mass like I would have him seen. If it is flat like a freckle then it could be a normal pigmentation. Orange cats do develop black freckles in their mouthes. Good luck!

Yes, this does sound like a melanoma. please take your cat to a vet ASAP as melanomas are very aggressive. Your vet may not even biopsy it for fear of spreading it, but opt to remove the tumor surgically under anesthesia. Do not wait, take her now.

this kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally and immediately assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include skin cysts, infections (an abscess), benign or more sinister type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This could be lentigo, which is a pigmented spot that is harmless to cats. Croissant is a young cat, and for it to be cancer would be rare in a cat his age. I would keep an eye on this spot for now. If it get bigger or starts to bother him, then I would have him checked out by a vet. I hope this helps!