Lumps near Vagina 16 year old female

I am going to the emergency vet tonight with my little "Snowy" (she is not in a critical state), so I may get answers after I get home (I am in California).

But I thought I'd see if anyone is around before I go.

This little girl is a very timid feral cat.

While she can be anywhere in the house she wants, she likes the laundry/garage area which has access to the kitchen.

She doesn't groom herself and has a medium to long all black coat.

And because she is fussy about touching her, I have to be very cautious in my approach.

She is the only one of the 50 feral cats I care for who actually bit a veterinarian assistant.

Long story just to explain how I cannot be absolutely sure what I saw.

Yesterday morning the whole area around her anus and vagina looked inflamed.

I tried to look a little closer and thought I saw a few lumps the size of a raisin around/near her vagina.

I realized this morning that for the last week or so she has been sleeping in different areas than usual

and I have thought she was licking there more than usual.

Today, she just appears uncomfortable, as if she is not fully relaxing when sitting down.

All other behaviors seem normal. She has lost some weight over the last year,

but no more than to be expected with advancing years in a feral cat.

If any of you have had any similar experiences and know what might be 

going on, I would love to hear from you.

As I said, I am taking her to the vet around 9:00 p.m PST

I will let you all know what I find out.

The emergency vet was overwhelmed last night with a major surgery, so they asked that I go tonight instead.

I put "Snowy" on pain meds last night after doing research here.

I am thinking maybe an anal abscess? I wish I could get a better look, but that is not going to be possible without an extra pair of hands.

I would still love any comments about what might be happening.

So what did you find out?  Did you take her last night?

Was it her Anal Glands, or one of them?  My old girl had one of her anal glands rupture a few years ago, but she healed up pretty quickly.

The feral cat Moms will relate to what happened last night.

But, let me go back to the night before. That night I got her in the carrier (since she wasn't expecting anything I grabbed her, put her in) and it was a quick job. She sat there howling while I called the Vet to say I was coming when I learned the Vet was in a surgery that would take hours and best that I wait til last night

Last night, I called the Vet FIRST and they said 'great, come on over'.

I went to catch Snowy. Ha Ha. I did nothing out of the ordinary, but SHE KNEW!

45 minutes later after trying to net her from underneath the bed (after numerous circles around the entire house, closing off doors, exits, etc.)

I decided that by the time I got her caught, and all the way to the Vet she would be a wreck (not to mention me!)

I called the Vet and said I would try again tonight.

She is the shyest, sweetest, little old scruffy looking old lady!

I love her death. And she is so smart. Just looking in her eyes last night I could tell she knew exactly what I was trying to do, and she was having none of it.

There is no sign of her yet tonight (she only comes inside at night to sleep). It is so cold out tonight I am hoping she comes in early.

Thanks so much for asking. I will keep you posted. Please send good thoughts!

Last night, Snowy wouldn't come inside at all, with temperatures down in the 40's (cold for us in California).

When she came through the door this morning, I grabbed her before she barely got inside and put her in the carrier.

And, nothing serious it turns out. She has some sort of skin infection.

So, a long-lasting antibiotic shot and it was done.

Three days and nights of worry  ...for something really small. 

Sometimes we get lucky with feral cats and an emergency is not life threatening. I was really afraid that Snowy's condition was some sort of serious cancer. So I am relieved, and look forward to a good nights sleep tonight.

Wow!  Glad you were able to outsmart her, AND that it wasn't anything bad . 

Let's hope she doesn't stay away in the cold weather too long now .  Maybe she's smart enough to know that since she's ALREADY been caught, she's free again?

So happy to read that your old lady is good to go again.  I can empathize trying to get ANY cat, tame or feral, safely to the vet.  God job, Supermax.  You are wonderful to worry so much over your cats.