My cat has a fat deposit that's growing. When should I see the vet?

I'm sorry to hear your kitty has a lump. Unfortunately, tumors cannot be differentiated from fat by just touching them. They need to be sampled and looked at under a microscope. I would highly encourage you to have this lump checked by your veterinarian at your pet's next visit to make sure it isn't something more serious.

If it seems to be getting bigger and causing a protrusion than he should be reexamined by your vet to determine the cause. At this point, it may be best to remove it, especially since the area is enlarging.

If she is otherwise acting normal, then you could monitor it for a little bit and see if it goes away. If the lump persists, then she should be examined by your vet to determine the cause. Your vet can do a fine needle aspirate and cytology to help diagnose the type of mass. If the cells look concerning, then your vet may recommend removal with biopsy.

It may just be a sebaceous cyst (a collection of oily debts under the skin) or a small area of inflammation from another cause. If its not painful and he isn't licking at it, I recommend that you make point once a week to measure it at home. If its changing in size over a couple of months or if it becomes bothersome, have it checked out at your vet. If your cat is too upset for a thorough exam, a little sedation may be recommended by your vet so that he/she can see what it is that you're seeing and make the appropriate recommendations. Thank for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I would recommend having this evaluated fairly soon. It could be a swollen lymph node or abscess or tumor of some sort. The vet can do a needle aspirate of the lump to look at cells and determine what it may be or if it's of concern. Because some tumors can grow quickly it's always better to have lumps evaluated fairly quickly to make sure it's not malignant.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Monkey. First off, love her name! Fatty lumps can grow to be quite big over time, but it is worth getting checked out. 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 its cells, and examines the cells on a slide under a microscope. It's usually painless to the animal, and relatively quick to perform. Once the cause of the lump is diagnosed, the vet can discuss treatment options if needed. Give her vet a call to make her an appointment. I hope this helps!