My kitten has a small lump. Should I take him to the vet right away?

Great question! This lump could be a localized reaction to the vaccine if the lump is in the area where the vaccine was given. Other options could be a cyst or a benign tumor. Given it's not painful and if she is otherwise acting normally, this isn't an emergency. Keep an eye on this lump, and if it doesn't go down over the next couple of days or gets bigger, then I would have Poppy seen by a vet. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say exactly what the lump may be. It could be an abscess, a reaction to an injection given, or a tumor. I would recommend Nugget see his veterinarian soon to have this evaluated. Your veterinarian may take a sample of the material or tissue from the lump to help determine what it is so it can be appropriately treated. If Nugget is otherwise normal, I do not think this is an emergency. I would just be sure to have this evaluated soon within the next few days. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Possible causes for the mass could be an inflamed lymph node, an abscess (ball of pus after a bite from another cat), tooth root abscess, and very unlikely- a cancerous mass. I recommend having it checked out as soon as you can, as it is most likely infection that will require treatment. Your vet will likely have a feel and determine exactly where it is, and might either do a "Fine Needle Aspiration" where they take a small sample and see what cells are inside it, or they might lance and drain it. Medications may be required as well. Best of luck with Boots!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! No, lumps are not normal. In a young kitten, these may represent small abscess or focal infection sites. I recommend that you have Luna evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Therapy would be based on findings. Good luck!

Cute kitty. Any swelling on the body that does not go away within a few weeks, that is somewhat soft and not causing any pain, is likely a hematoma. Hematoma's come from trauma that has burst a blood vessel underneath the skin. It can take 1-3 weeks for the blood to then be slowly absorbed back into the body. If this is a hematoma, it should go down slowly. If it happens to not go away, then yes it is best to have your vet take a look at it for other possibilities (i..e cyst, abscess, etc). I hope your fur baby Woofie resolves this swelling soon. Best wishes and take care.

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.