Outdoor cat has a lump, bald spot, and swelling. Does she need a vet?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Judging from your description and the fact that she is an outdoor cat, I would suspect what you are seeing is an abscess. I would recommend getting her to a vet if possible to have the lump examined so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. If you know who the owners are, I would try to discuss this with them before taking their cat to the vet for treatment. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I cannot tell where the lump is on the photo but most if not all lumps needs to be evaluated by a vet. Especially in Simba's case since the lump has gotten swollen. Your vet will perform a full physical exam and determine if the lump needs to be aspirated. Lumps can be anything from an abscess, mass/growth, hernia etc. Your vet will determine after an exam what the next best steps and treatments are. Good luck!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Tub Tub and for providing pictures, they are very helpful. Poor boy. This happens. I have accidentally cut my own cat removing matts, I felt terrible! The area does look swollen, which doesn't appear normal. I would take him back into the vet to have this looked at. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to be 100% from the picture but it looks like she is missing a toe or has had some previous trauma to that paw. If she is eating and isn't limping then it could be normal for her. If your neighbor is planning on adopting her and caring for her long term she will need a Vet visit to be dewormed, vaccinated and spayed. The Vet can check out the paw. I wish you the best!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I wonder if Shadow is an outside cat. If he is and the swelling had a sudden onset it could be an abscess from fighting with another cat or animal. The fact you describe it as possibly liquidy could indicate puss. If her cat is older and indoors it could be a cystic mass. I would recommend that she have a Vet take a look at it today before the weekend in case it is an abscess before it possibly breaks open. If it is an abscess the Vet may open it for it to drain and provide antibiotics Good luck!.

Hello. While the swelling is quite noticeable, he does not appear to be in any pain or discomfort. There is no discharge or tearing, & the eye looks very healthy. The problem, however, is I can not tell from a picture if this is just benign swelling from a possible insect sting, or if Bootz got into an argument with another cat & you have an abscess brewing. If it is just a sting, the swelling should be better tomorrow. If not, and the area is worse, firmer & warmer in the morning, then I would think this is a bite wound & Bootz may need antibiotics. See how he is in the morning & decide if he needs to be treated for a possible abscess. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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!