My cat has a bump on her hip. Should I be worried or will it go away?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Creamy. Any new bump, especially if it is painful, should be evaluated by a veterinarian. He will be examined and typically a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate is performed. The doctor will use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This helps to diagnose the bump and guide treatment. I hope this information helps!

You didn't include a picture so I cannot say for sure but the most common cause of leaking bumps on a cat would be an abscess, which is a pocket of bacteria, fluid, and inflammatory cells that is often caused by a wound (sometimes from a bite or scratch from another animal). I cannot rule out something like a cyst or a tumor that has grown too large and the skin has gotten stretched and broken open, or even a self inflicted injury from overgrooming, but the most likely answer is that this is an abscess. Pebbles should definitely be seen by her veterinarian, who will probably clean and flush the area and may recommend a culture of the area. They may also prescribe an antibiotic and maybe a pain medication, however in the meantime you can use warm compresses over the area to help it drain and to keep it clean if she allows you to. If you have an e-collar you can place that to prevent her from licking at the area and causing more bacteria (from her mouth) to enter the area. Good luck, I hope I could be helpful!

The most common lumps on cats are pockets of infection, or an abscess from a cat fight. An abscess is generally hot to the touch and painful and may cause a fever and lethargy. It also could be a tumor which often are non painful but can be malignant and will grow if not removed. Also some cats get a skin reaction to a vaccination if it’s given in that location and the swelling should improve over a week or so. I recommend a veterinary exam so they can feel the lump, take her temperature and decide if further treatment is needed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.

If the swelling is warm to the touch and slightly depressible, then this is most likely an abscess (pus filled pocket) which is caused by some kind of trauma or puncture to the skin. This is a very common occurrence in cats that are outside or go outside for a brief period of time. To treat this you will need the help of your veteran veterinarian, who can drain the abscess and flush out all of the bacteria, and then put Dusty on a short course of oral antibiotics. Ask your veterinarian about an injectable antibiotic called Convenia, which they can give right there at the hospital. This antibiotic is favored by cat owners because it requires no medication giving at home and lasts for 2 weeks with just a 1-time injection by your vet.

Poor Kitty. If the bump is quite solid it is likely tissue swelling and should go down with time. If the bump is soft it could be due to bleeding, if it's not getting bigger it should be fine. If the bump is near an eye or the cat is showing any neurological signs I would have it checked by the vet to be safe. Likewise if the cat is very unsettled or the bump is growing you may need to go in to get some medication.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to see a lump in the photo, but at Capernicus’s age, malignant growths are fairly unlikely. This may be a reaction to a vaccine if administered recently that should disappear with time. I recommend keeping an eye on it and having the spot seen by a vet if there is any discharge, bleeding, increase in size, or it seems to be bothering him. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Without being able to examine Willow, it is hard to say what it is or if you should be worried about it. In a young kitten, trauma would be the most likely. However, a small bump could also indicate infection or even a small tumor. I would continue to observe Willow for a day or two. If the bump goes away, then I wouldn't be worried, but if it is still there, growing, or she is developing other symptoms, then she should be examined by a veterinarian.