Dorothy's skin tumor/growth thing

Dorothy came to us with a benign growth on the back of her neck, it was a black shiny bubble looking thing. Maybe 1/4 inch diameter or so. Not a problem, my vet said they're pretty common and not to worry about it. A basal cell tumor, I think she called it. So we didn't worry about it, until this past weekend, I noticed it was scratched open! It looked like a small shriveled raisin, not smooth anymore, with a bit of dried blood on/around it. Eeek! So I got her an appointment on Monday, and the vet again said they're pretty common, and sometimes they open up, from a scratch or whatever. She cleaned it up, checked it out, and said it's fine, we should just keep an eye on it. While we were there, we got her hyperthyroid blood tests done which were due in a few weeks anyway, so that was good. (Tests came back great!!)

Last night, in a million to 1 chance, I found what looked like a piece of this growth on the floor! Genever was staring at something by the front door (which turned out to be a cricket), and I went to see what she was after, and I saw a black thing on the floor, thought it was a bug, bent down to look and saw it had some orange fur on it. So I picked it up and said to BF "I think this is Dot's neck thing! Or a piece of poop maybe." She was on the sofa with him, so he looked and said it's definitely smaller, I looked at it too, and at the piece I found, and yeah, it was a big piece of it. I don't know if she scratched it off or if Genever groomed it off, but this is freaking me out now! Why all of a sudden she's messing with it?

So I called the vet this morning- again- and my vet isn't in, but I left a message and I guess one of the other vets will give me a call back about it to decide if we need to do anything more about it, or just keep watching it. Not sure what else I should watch for though...

Anyone else have a cat with a skin tumor thingy?

I don't. But if they keep saying it's not something to worry about... just talk to the vet when you can.

What exactly are you supposed to keep an eye out for? If it changes? Grows? Well - the situation changed. But if it's just a growth - like a mole on a person - I guess no harm's been done. ?? She has a scab there now?

I'm guess it accidentally got scratched, and then it got itchy. I know when I have scabs from a scratch, the sometimes get itchy. Maybe it just naturally came off because of that?

Hi , I think that might be a good thing! I am sure it is the scab or part of the little benign tumor that has fallen off due to it being scratched, it is probably a scab. I have to laugh at you thinking poop . Did you smell it? . Once in awhile I see a tiny poop on the floor, usually from Pipsqueak . Just wanted to make you smile . I wouldn't worry, just keep an eye on it. My dogs have those things on their bodies too. And the same thing happened with one of Henry's benign skin tumors. It got irritated and scabbed up and part of the tumor fell off! Nothing ever came of it and he still has the little bump.

Originally Posted by LDG

What exactly are you supposed to keep an eye out for? If it changes? Grows? Well - the situation changed. But if it's just a growth - like a mole on a person - I guess no harm's been done. ??

She has a scab there now?

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Well.. I got a call back a few minutes after I posted this thread actually. It was the office manager who is really nice, well everyone there is really nice actually. She said she talked to the one vet and said it'd be hard to say if it's a problem without seeing it, that I could certainly bring her in again if I wanted, but it's probably ok, and to check on it for any changes. So I asked her what you're asking- what changes do I look for? It already changed- first it burst open somehow, and then a big hunk came off! She said look for signs of infection, like oozing or bleeding, if it's warm to the touch, if Dot starts acting weird like vomiting or lethargy or trying to get at it, then definitely call back. And she was going to put the note on my vet's desk so she sees it tomorrow and knows what's going on.

So, yes, I guess I shouldn't worry about it, but you know... easier said than done. Also, today is Advantage day, but I decided not to dose Dorothy, I don't want it running into the 'wound'.

I think the funniest thing about this, I just remembered, is last night BF asked if we should put the piece that came off in a jar or something. I laughed and said 'What? Why?' I guess he meant if the vet needed it, for what, I don't know, testing maybe? Even so, a JAR? Not a little bag? However, it's still sitting on the book shelf thing on my side of the bedroom. Guess I can toss it out. It's definitely what used to be her bubble, it's shriveled but hollowed out. What's left now on Dot is still black, but I suppose like a scab of sorts. I'll 'keep an eye on it'.

I am so happy with my vet and the whole office there. My vet called me this morning to see how Dorothy is doing! Even though she probably had a note on her desk that someone called me back yesterday, she still called to check. I love that.

So I told her what went on, with the chunk falling off, and that it's not bleeding but there's some dried blood on it. And she said to still keep an eye on it, and it should just heal up, but if anything else weird happens like it opens up again or more of it comes off, that Dot's such a good kitty that they could just do a local anesthetic and remove it. (My girls do make me a proud meowmy with their good behavior!)

So, still, I'll watch it.

It IS nice to have a wonderful vet!

So glad it shouldn't be a problem.

I was petting Dorothy this afternoon, and checked on her mole thing, because I still keep checking it to make sure it's ok. Well, another piece came off! It was kind of stuck on by a few hairs, but I pulled it away easily. What's left of the growth is smooth, kind of like before it burst open in the first place, and grey, almost silvery?? It was black before this all happened. Not sure if I'll call the vet about it or not yet. I emailed BF about it (he's in England). I know he would be happy to get it removed, he's weird about skin things, but I'll see what he thinks, and if I do call the vet, see what she thinks.

Any thoughts?

I think I would wait and look at it in the morning. Silvery gray sounds better than black any day.

Of course, if it is bothering you tremendously, it may be best to have it removed for your peace of mind.

I wouldn't worry too much over it. I think silver is better than black too. Being a benign tumor, they will change periodically and I think that is quite normal. You DO have a wonderful vet and I am sure she won't mind if you call to ask about it again. If it really bothers you, I bet it would be a procedure to have it removed or frozen off . Your such a good meowmy .

Basel cell is cancer? In humans if you have a basel cell skin cancer you have to have it removed. It does slowly spread. I would think the same would apply to a cat if its a basel cell skin cancer tumor?

Basal cell tumors are not the same as basal cell carcinoma.

This is a discussion of skin issues with dogs, but it'd be the same thing (from WebMD)

Basal Cell Tumors

This is a common tumor usually found on the head and neck in dogs over 7 years of age. It appears as a firm, solitary nodule with distinct borders that sets it apart from the surrounding skin. The tumor may have been present for months or years. Cocker Spaniels appear to be at increased risk.

A small percent of basal cell tumors are malignant, becoming basal cell carcinomas.

Treatment: Basal cell tumors should be removed by wide surgical excision.

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http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-papil...-tumors?page=2

So, out of curiosity, what makes you guys say grey/silvery is better than black? Both kind of freak me out!

Originally Posted by gardenandcats

Basel cell is cancer? In humans if you have a basel cell skin cancer you have to have it removed. It does slowly spread. I would think the same would apply to a cat if its a basel cell skin cancer tumor?

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The vet called it a basal cell tumor (which sounds horrible and scary!!) but she also said it's benign. Dorothy had it when we adopted her, and it was noted on her shelter vet records too as being benign, and when I took her to my vet for her first check-up after adopting her back in January, the vet noticed it when examining her and said then that it's benign and common, especially in older cats. So, I guess it's ok, just kind of weird, especially now since it's changed.

So... it's fine I guess, but it keeps freaking me out that things are happening to it. I emailed BF about it, and I'm probably going to do the video chat thing over Windows Messenger tomorrow morning with him and his parents in England (getting his parents' PC webcam set up and teaching them how to do it), so I'll talk to him about it and see what he thinks too. I am leaning towards just asking the vet to get rid of it, especially since she said that Dot's such a good kitty that they can just do a local anesthetic, so it's not like major surgery. I'll let you know tomorrow what we decide....

I guess the reason I think black is a bad color for skin "things" is because my dad had some moles removed that were turning black on his face and the dermatologist said that when they start getting black it could mean cancer. But for cats that could be totally different . Trying to make you feel better . I think since it worries you so, I would just have it removed. It sounds like it would be a very simple procedure. You will feel better and so will Dorothy because you won't be looking at it so much . I would be the same way too. Hard not to worry about something like that.

Well, a black growth certainly doesn't seem to be a good thing, but grey/silver???? Yikes!

I emailed the vet about what happened to it now, and asked what the risks of removing it vs. letting it be are. So I'll probably hear back at some point today.

Curiously waiting to hear as I am sure you are... !!!!

Well I missed the vet's call back, but they left a message saying we might as well remove it since it keeps changing, and they can send it off to the lab to make sure it's not cancerous or anything, and that it can be done with sedation and local anesthetic, so no putting her under. Not sure if they said to remove it just so I stop bugging them about it or if they really think it should come off, but that's what we'll do. BF said in an email he wants to go along too so I'll email the vet today and say I'll call next week to schedule it. It will be good to get this over with.

I feel bad, I'm 'between jobs' and have been for way too long unfortunately, but I do pay a few house bills and also for the cat supplies and vet visits, and BF kees saying he wants to pay half at least for the vet stuff. I tell him no, I got it. You're paying the mortgage, which is WAY more than the cat stuff. But I think that's why he wants to be there when Dorothy gets her growth removed- i think he wants to sneak his credit card in before I do. Sigh. I need a job. But that's another conversation...

But that's so sweet of him!

I agree - whether it's going just so you can stop worrying or because it keeps changing, since it can be done with a local, just remove it!

Yes, very sweet of BF, he sounds very caring towards you and the cats!!!! I also would just get the darn thing removed and biopsied (did I spell that right , lately words just don't look right ). Then you can just put your mind at ease and be done with it !!!

p.s. Good luck in the job hunting. You are not alone on that front, lots of people looking for work. Hope something comes along soon for you, but isn't it nice to be a "stay-at-home kitty mom" Between taking care of Wilbur (my dog) and Pipsqueak's health issues, and all the other kitties, it is a full-time job (without pay.......)

I often wonder if that's why my vet does things sometimes, just so I quit bugging them.

I wish Dorothy good luck for her 'surgery'! At least no major anesthesia is needed..... (and you have a good BF!)

My little guy had one removed last spring. It was a basal cell tumor. He recovered well.







Good luck to Miss Dot!