Why does my cat have an itchy neck lump? Should I see a vet?

Hi there, it is hard to give you a specific answer regarding these bumps without seeing them, but I will try and give you some suggestions. If the lumps have just come up and feel soft they could be urticaria from an allergic reaction. Likewise if they are fairly new and are red or hot they may be caused by a skin infection. However, if the lumps have been there for a while again they could be infection but they could also be little growths in the skin. Have a good feel and if they are under the skin and soft they could be fatty lumps. If they are hard and in the skin they could be cysts, and if on top get may be warts. Unfortunately there is also the possibility the growths could be tumours. If you like you can repost with some photographs or more information and we can try and help more. I would recommend going to the vet to have he lumps checked f they have been there for a while. If they have just come up and don't look infected you could wait a day or so and give an antihistamine in case of allergic reaction.

Poor girl. Yes this looks like a possible cyst that may be infected, hence the yellow crusting seen there. Typically cysts or masses can become itchy if they are pushing on a sensitive nerve or if they are infected. Have your vet take a look at it and it can likely be drained to remove the discomfort it is causing. If it is indeed infected then the vet can prescribe a short course of antibiotics to treat it. Surgically removal of this cyst in the future should be considered. Best of luck moving forward with Donna and her cyst like mass. Take care.

The thyroid gland in cats is normally not palpable. The lump may be localized infection, inflammation, fatty tumor or a cyst just to name a few possibilities. You can monitor it for rapid change or growth. See your veterinarian for an exam if it causes discomfort or impedes motion, breathing or eating. A fine needle aspirate can be done in the clinic to collect a sample for pathology if necessary.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Dexter. This lump may be an enlarged lymph node if it's right below his neck. That can indicate an infection or a dental problem. Other possibilities include a cyst, an abscess, a lipoma, or a benign growth. Given it's local, I do think it's important to have it checked out by a vet, and I would have him seen by one in the next few days. I hope this helps!

Poor Little Bit! If it's his lymph nodes that are swollen, he could have an infection in that area causing the swelling. It could also be a virus, immune mediated disease, allergies, and even cancer though that would be rare in a cat his age. This is something that needs to be checked out by the vet, so give his vet a call now to make him an appointment. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Skin lesions like you are describing can have a variety of causes, including skin parasites (fleas or mites), an infection (bacterial or fungal), allergies, or another underlying medical issue. I would recommend he be evaluated by his regular veterinarian to determine the underlying cause for his skin lesions, so he could start any treatment (antibiotics, anti-itch medications, parasiticide) that he may need. In the meantime, I would clean the area will diluted betadine if possible and then keep it dry, and trim his nails back as much as possible to keep him from scratching at it. Good luck!

A huge lump on his neck could be an abscess, a blicked salivary duct, inflamed or infected salivary gland, a cyst, a tumor, or a swollen lymph node. This needs to be examined by your veterinarian who will likely want to take a bit of tissue or check if and what kind of fluid is in the lump. He will do this with a very thin needle (painless) to determine what kind of mass or lump there is. Not eating is dangerous for a cat as this can cause liver disease in cats in addition to the original cause. Please take your kitty to a veterinarian for an exam today.