My cat has a bump on her neck/throat. Is it normal or concerning?

Thanks is for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Your veterinarian may be suspicious of a thyroid tumor. The next step before considering surgery would be proceeding with a CT scan to check on how invasive the tumor appears to be. Then the next treatment option can be determined. A FNA can be performed at the time to determine the tumor type. If not too invasive, surgery may be possible. If too invasive, and this is a thyroid carcinoma (the most common tumor in that region), radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be next best options. The prognosis with these tumors depends on the type which is why that needs to be tested. Also, it depends on how invasive it is and if it can be resected. If you think you have more information on the case that you did not describe in the question, feel free to request a consultation with me and I can continue to help. Best of luck and have a blessed day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This may even be an abscess. 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 him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

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!

An itchy lump on the neck could be due to an infection in the skin. They can get abscesses if something gets stuck in the skin, or he get bitten. It could also be a type of tumor. Mast cell tumors can be itchy, but are not as commonly seen with cats. Other causes of lumps in the neck could be an enlarged lymph node, enlarged thyroid gland and different types of cysts. However, none of these causes tend to be itchy. It's best if you have a vet examine him to ensure he does not have signs of the more serious causes. Usually we can find out the cause of these lumps on exam with minimal testing. It will be well worth getting it diagnosed sooner rather than later. It's not an emergency, but would be best to have her seen within the next week. I hope that helps and Skippy gets better soon.

Yes, the mass should be cause for concern, especially since Pip has other symptoms. Have him examined by your veterinarian. A fine needle aspirate can be done in the clinic to collect samples for pathology. This may diagnose infection, a benign mass or a malignancy. Treatment may depend on the results of the aspirate. If an aspirate is inconclusive, an excisional biopsy or complete resection under anesthesia may be indicated.

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.

If she is otherwise acting normal, then you could monitor it for a little bit and see if it goes away. If the lump persists, then she should be examined by your vet to determine the cause. Your vet can do a fine needle aspirate and cytology to help diagnose the type of mass. If the cells look concerning, then your vet may recommend removal with biopsy.