Why does my cat have a hard lump with an open sore on her belly?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. Based on its location, this could also be a mammary gland tumor which in most cases are malignant. 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Due to the location and the fact that Safari isn't spayed it is possibly a mammary mass. Due to her age it is most like most likely cystic or benign in nature that has developed due to hormonal influence. I do recommend a Vet exam for any new growths especially ones that involve the mammary tissue. I wish you the best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is very hard to see in these pictures. 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

I suggest a veterinary exam soon. Any mass, especially if grows fast and appears painful to touch should be assessed. If the mass is related to the nipple or mammary gland, it could be a type of breast cancer. I cannot see well on the pictures nor can I feel it so please see a veterinarian in person for a better assessment. Good luck with Raven and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach .

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Without pictures it is difficult for me to say for sure what these could be. I would suspect cysts or tumors (benign or malignant). The fact she is unspayed and that she is almost 12 years old has me concerned that these are mammary tumors, which most of the time are cancerous and need to be surgically removed. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine Ally and look at these further to help better determine what the course of treatment should entail. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be a benign or malignant growth. This could even be an infection. This cannot be completely assessed just by looking at pictures and usually requires sampling such as fine needle aspiration to determine its origin. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!