My kitten has a growing neck bump. What if I can't afford a vet?

I'm not convinced it's a cyst from your description, because they usually don't look or behave the way you are describing. It may be an infection, or a tumor. Either way, there is really nothing that can be done at home for this. The cat really needs a veterinarian to diagnose and treat this. The best thing you can do for her is take her to a nearby Animal rescue organization. They will be able to help get her the care she needs at no cost to you. You should call these places first, because they sometimes have limited or different options for treatment. I hope that helps and Lil' girl gets better soon.

A lump in such a young cat could be an infection, a small wound, an insect bite, a lymph node, or waaay less likely, a mass. If she's going to a full-service veterinarian tonight they can definitely give you a good idea of what's going on. If you're going to a vaccine clinic, they'll be more limited in what they can do but can still give you a good idea if it's something normal or concerning. Between now and then, just leave the bump alone so that doesn't get bigger from being messed with. Don't try to clean it or pop it or remove it in anyway. Good luck to you and Kitty!

Because this lump is growing, he will need to see a vet as soon as possible. If it is a cyst, it will need to be drained sterilely and may need to be removed surgically to prevent it from reoccurring. It could also be caused by an abscess, benign tumor, or malignant tumor. The cause of this growing lump needs to be diagnosed so it can be treated. I can give you some resources that may help you afford a vet. You can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Care Credit online. There is also an organization called Red Rover that give grants for treatment of sick animals, and you can see if you qualify for one of their grants. Best Friends also has a list of resources that offer financial assistance on their website. http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962 https://www.redrover.org https://www.carecredit.com http://bestfriends.org/resources/financial-aid-pets http://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com/when-pet-owners-cant-afford-veterinary-bills/ The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
 God's Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.
 The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.
 Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay. I hope one of these resources helps you afford a vet for your cat.

In a young kitten, a lump like this is likely a benign tumor, a cyst, or an abscess. If Mocha has his vaccines given in that area, it could be a localized reaction to the vaccine. It's good to have it checked out by a vet, but it's certainly not an emergency as long as everything else is normal (eating, drinking, behavior, litter box behavior). I would have him checked out by a vet sometime over the next week. I hope this helps!

Unfortunately you should take Baby to the veterinarian. Without actually performing a physical examination it is difficult to say what is causing the lump and if I can't say the cause we can't say how to treat it. You can call your local veterinarians and see what they charge for an office visit. With how young Baby is she needs other things which can add up in the cost of the visit. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mellow. I recommend showing the bumps to her veterinarian tomorrow at the check in for surgery. You can be advised if they are anything to worry about for her. Older cats will develop mammary growths, but this would be unusual in such a young kitten. It is hopefully fine, but you do need to mention it. I hope this information helps!

In a cat this young, the lump is likely to be something like a cyst or a benign 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 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. I'd call Baby's vet to make her an appointment to get this checked out. Best of luck.