What is this growth I found behind my cat's leg? Should I worry?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is most of the time differentiated with a test called a fine needle aspirate which is easy, cheap and pain-free. Sometimes, a biopsy is required for a diagnosis. Have Nani evaluated by your veterinarian to have this test performed to try to sort out what the diagnosis is so that the best course of action can be determined. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is something benign!

Hello, thank you for your question about Milo. Based on the photo that you have attached it is possible that this lesion could be due to a cyst, abscess, or mass. A cyst is a benign fluid filled structure that can develop in various locations on animal's bodies. An abscess is an encapsulated infection that is most commonly associated with some kind of trauma, but can occur for an unknown reason. Masses, tend to feel more firm/solid and can be caused by many different types of cancers (benign or malignant). I would recommend having Milo evaluated by your veterinarian so that they can examine the lesion. They may recommend collecting an aspirate, or small needle, sample from the lesion to help determine exactly what it is. They can then discuss further treatment options based on these findings. Hope this helps, good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing for sure without an examination though this represents a reason to seek veterinary care. This is usually determined with an examination and a fine needle aspirate (FNA) or a biopsy. Treatment depends on the findings up to that point. I recommend you have Domino evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good day!

Without further testing, there is no way to tell if this lesion is due to infection, trauma or allergy, or if it is a mass. Masses can be of a malignant (cancerous) type that can spread elsewhere and/ or invade the healthy tissue around them, or a more benign (noncancerous) type that is unlikely to spread. Cancerous types of masses are far less common than benign ones, but I recommend making an appointment for Chaos to see your vet to have the growth tested and to guide treatment. See the link below for more information on one of the more common types of masses that can look like what Chaos has on his leg. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952215

I do recommend having it tested. It may just be something as simple as a cyst if it is fluid filled, but without being able to feel the lump it is hard to determine that. If it is a cyst and it does not bother your cat, your veterinarian may be able to drain the cyst although it can easily fill back up.

Hi Greg! Thank you for providing a picture of Lily's lump on her leg. From the picture, it could be a cyst, a benign tumor, or 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 take her into the vet in the next couple of days to have the lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Please take Sabbath in to have the lump examined. The most common lumps in cats are from infections but those generally are hot and painful. Cats do get masses that can be cancerous so having it examined is best. They can get some cells through a small needle and have it looked at to determine if it needs to be removed. The lump may be benign or an infection which would be nothing to be concerned about but I recommend finding out for sure what it is. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sabbath.