What's this firm, liquid-filled lump on my 4-month-old kitten's ribs?

Hello. It is very unlikely that this is cancerous, but what it actually requires is a hands-on examination. My first inclination is the presence of a single fly larva under each swelling. Warble flystrike is a common problem in young cats during the summer. This may also just be what you described, some type of benign cyst, but It is unusual enough that I really recommend letting your vet take a look at this. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include umbilical hernia, skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors (very unlikely given the age). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi and thank you so much for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say exactly what it may be sight unseen (can't get a good look or feel from the picture), I can certainly offer a few possibilities. It may be just a scab from playing rough or bumping into something. It also could be a small abscess from one of her vaccines she received previously-that sometimes can happen and is quite common. Another possibility would be a bite wound from another cat or a fungal or bacterial infection. If the lesion feels like little millet seeds, it could be a flea allergy (especially if she is not receiving a month to month flea preventative). If it gets worse or does not improve in a few days, I would bring her into her primary care veterinarian an exam and diagnostic testing. Best wishes to you and Biscuit!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This lump could potentially be something like an abscess for example. However, other things are possible. I recommend that you have Jeri evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. If an abscess was noted, further local therapy with drainage and antibiotics would be recommended. Without knowing what this is exactly, it is not possible to recommend a good treatment for it. Good luck and best wishes!

Hi, and thanks for your question. Although a picture of the lump would help to give you more specific answers, this growth should be ideally examined by your veterinarian to have a definitive diagnosis. Your vet will examine it and possibly perform with an FNA (fine needle aspiration) or a biopsy. Differentials would include skin cyst, infections or benign or malignant type of tumors. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to see a lump in the photo, but at Capernicus’s age, malignant growths are fairly unlikely. This may be a reaction to a vaccine if administered recently that should disappear with time. I recommend keeping an eye on it and having the spot seen by a vet if there is any discharge, bleeding, increase in size, or it seems to be bothering him. I hope this helps and that all is well!