White nodule on cat's cheek - should I take her to the vet? see photo

Today I found this white bump on my cat's cheek.  It doesn't seem to hurt and there is a very tiny red spot on the side.  Could this be cancer and a reason to take her to the vet tomorrow?  I hate to traumatize her if it's just a pimple, and it will traumatize her.  Any suggestions or ideas?

does it leak at all

is there an odor to it

it may be like we get-those skin bags that just harmless skin-i forget what you call them-i have one under my arm-looks like a fleshy thing but small. 

the vet will look at it with that thing like they use to look in ears and eyes-they may take a needle sample of it to smear on a slide and look under the microscope or they may have you set up appointment to put the cat under and cut it off. its hard to see without feeling it. i dont know much about things like this but i do have experience with wounds and absesses,

let the vet have a look. cant hurt and you dont want to put it off incase it gets bigger. 

how long have you noticed it there?

you wont traumatize her-in the future take the cat for short car rides to show that it isnt always a yucky vet visit. i did this with my middle cat-she used to howl forever. now she meows when i put her in the cage but once the car is moving-she goes to sleep. the more you include car rides in every day routine the more they get used to it and dont spaz out. the trick is to not react to the howling and screeching. just try to be calm and everything is ok type of thing.

It's not likely to be skin cancer, which shows up as a black/blue spot with undefined edges. But it would probably be best to take her to the vet for nothing else than to put your mind to ease. It doesn't look like a skin tag, either, which is what foxxycat was talking about.

Looks more like a cyst to me. My cat had one for years that was fine. If it show up suddenly, I'd be concerned. Perhaps it's a bite from an insect? Maybe that's what the little red spot is?

Tonight, it's actually bigger and redder, instead of white. I included photos.  The skin looks like it's wanting to split from growing. I put some antibiotic ointment on it.  Does anyone know what this could be?  I do have other cats, so maybe it's from a scratch?  Thank you all for the quick responses and helpful advice!  I moved long distance a couple years ago and the cats are now terrified of the front door.  One defecates from fear if he has to go outside     They'll will be better as time passes.    

:slant: Hmm, that seems more and more like she got bitten/scratched to me rather than a benign cyst. Looks like it's getting infected, and sounds like it may need draining. Fluid can build up under an abscess and get quite bad if it doesn't drain. Is she acting like she's in pain?

To me that looks like I an infected abscess.  I have dealt with a human abscess and will tell you they can become painful if not treated.  Cats are really good at hiding pain and to me that looks like an infection that may need to be drained. It may also require antibiotics. I am not a vet I am basing this off my personal experience. I would at least contact your vet and see if you can drop by or e-mail them the photo to take a look at it.  I will say that if this were one of my cats I would take them to the vet.  

One of my cats freaks out about going to the vet.  Her vet gave me a sample Feliway wipe and told me to wipe down the carrier before her next visit.  My hubby did this and my Starbuck was a different cat. She fought him getting into the carrier but once she was in it she only complained a little bit and did not pee on herself on the way there.  He also said she was much calmer at the vets and did not hide when she got home after the appointment.  I think you can buy them at pet stores.  This may be something that would help your baby.  If you get the wipes perhaps you can ask the vet to use one themself before the exam.  The vet I use for Starbuck actually sprays herself with Feliway between patients. Starbuck was abandoned out the window of  a moving car when she was a baby.  She is terrified of being in the car.

Thank you!!!!  I will take your advice and call the vet.  I'll followup and let you know what happens.  u

Your welcome thanks for following up. I hope you get some answers soon from your vet.

The vet said she thinks it's just a normal skin growth that happens with older pets.  She said it's probably a little crusty now only from the pressure from it growing.  She said it's not even big enough to biopsy and it's all above her skin and not an abscess.  The only way to remove it is anesthesia and there is no reason to do that unless it keeps growing and bothers her.  She is having me treat it with various things while it's crusty with  silver, antibiotic ointment, a touch of lavender oil to heal the skin..  (not at the same time!).  (for anyone reading this, lavender oil can be toxic so never use much but she said a minuscule amount is fine).  

I'll also share that she recommends just a single drop of lavender oil on a brush every couple weeks and that should help with fleas or ticks  (mine are indoor cats and I don't need this).  She said if they don't like it, they may foam at the mouth when they lick their fur and then to stop.  She said that is probably enough for multiple cats. 

And shockingly, my cat was fine in the carrier and at the vet!!!!!  That has never ever happened!!!  She is normally impossible at the vet's office and last time they literally couldn't examine her and gave up.  This was a different vet and she just sat there and let the vet flip flop her around!!!  

I put cat nip in the carrier and sprayed it with Feliway.  Catlover73, thanks for reminding me about it.  I have the plug ins at my house because I have one anxious and aggressive cat. For anyone listening, it actually works!!!!  I can even tell if the plug in dries up because my cat gets antsy.  

Thanks for all the help.  I'm glad I went so I don't have to worry!!!