Stray Scottish Fold has bulges/lumps on hind legs?

Hi, Im 21 and just moved to a new state two days ago and in those 48 hours I have met a furry little man who has warmed my heart immensely. There is this stray Scottish Fold male cat that showed up at my back porch the first morning I was here. He is sweet and loving, wants tons of cuddles and pets. He is out there again this morning, however now I noticed his hind legs (both) have these bulges or lumps on the back of them. He can walk and climb perfectly fine, but his back legs are always shaking. (Might be related, he also has goop coming out of his eyes.) I haven't tried to actually touch said bulges because he is a stray...not fixed, I'm pretty sure never had shots and inbred as well. I would take him to a vet in a heart beat but having just moved I don't have the income right this second. But I want, no need, this handsome boy in my life.
Does anybody have any idea what these could be? I've read about abscesses that are common in intact male cats and osteo-something that is common in scottish fold to fold breeding, as well as lameness in inbred cats...but I'm just stressing myself out.
I've spent all morning worrying, trying to do research and try to find a vet that will work with low income right now until I can find a job.
Thank you, so much.

It's hard for me to tell if those are lumps or just funny-looking spots caused by missing/thin fur interspersed with regular thick fur. Will he let you feel them? If so, what do they feel like?

It would be extremely unusual for an actual Scottish Fold to be running stray (though not impossible, as even responsible breeders have occasional escapes), if he has folded ears it may be caused by ear mites or injury. Maybe post some pics of his head/face?

The best thing for him before you can get to a vet: buy some good-quality cat food. Purina ONE is adequate but I wouldn't go any lower-quality than that. Also some canned food (nothing cheaper than Friskies classic pate). Try to make it about 50/50 canned/dry if possible. Get some decent de-wormer---pyrantel pamoate, usually sold for pinworms in humans, or for horses. You may have luck finding it OTC in a pharmacy or farm store, but I've always bought it online. Look up the proper dose in the Merck Vet Manual online. Get some stuff for ear mites---OTC stuff is usually made with pyrethrins which are somewhat toxic, but at his age I think he can handle a dose or two. Avoid Hartz brand, and follow the instructions exactly. Also some flea stuff---stick to decent brands like Advantage or Frontline, no Hartz! You can also flea comb him. If he has an eye infection, you can get Terramycin OTC online, unfortunately I've never been able to find it locally. Keep his bed clean and dry, wash the blankets frequently. Keep a litterbox for him (even outside!) and keep it clean. Once he's well-fed, de-parasitized, and clean, his immune system should be able to help him recover from anything else that's going on. It's amazing what good care can do!

W Willowy



This is the best picture I have of his face right now. I've noticed there are quite a few strays around here that have a round face with tiny perfectly folded ears. But I haven't felt the area in question yet, next time I see him I'll definately try to feel the area and give you the update.

I picked up some PureVita brand cat food and will look for the medicines that you suggested. I've been trying to wipe the gunk out of his eyes with warm wash cloths every chance I get as well, hoping that'll stop it from getting worse or spreading.

But thank you so much for your advice and help. I appreciate it very much.

Hmm, I suppose it may be possible that the ear fold gene is occurring naturally in the random-bred cat population, or maybe there's an irresponsible Scottish Fold breeder in the area. Considering that the gene quickly becomes fatal/harmful when both parents have the gene, it seems like it wouldn't last long among strays. . .but maybe. It could also be a bad case of ear mites going around; I guess we can't know until he sees the vet! Where do you live? (no need to be too specific, just country/area)

He's a fine handsome boy. I hope everything works out!

W Willowy
Yes, he is. I was reading how the fold to fold breeding could be harmful so that made me panic a lot more. But, I'm hoping for the best and going to do my very best to care for him. If I just can't get it together in a decent amount of time, I've decided it would more than likely be best to surrender him to the local non-kill animal shelter in hopes he can get the care and life he deserves.

Oh, I live in central California.

Most likely, the kitty has had untreated mites that have left his ears folded.  He really needs to see the vet to have his ears checked out as well as those lumps on his legs.  If you could borrow money, apply for Care Credit, or somehow scrape together the money, that's what I would do. 

You might also find some help from this article:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/no-money-for-vet-care-how-to-find-help-and-save-your-cats-life

W Willowy
I got a hold of him and felt the lumps. They were hard, kind of like a bone hardness but he didn't try to bite or pull away as if in pain.