Please, help! My cat has lump on spine between hips.

Hello, I'm new to this site, but I saw a lot of other helpful information. I am a full time college student and am away from home during the week. I have a three year old cat that stays at my house that I see every weekend. She goes in and out of the house and last weekend my mom told me that my cat isn't jumping. She always likes to get into bed with my mom and lay on her lap anytime she's sitting. Instead of jumping, she climbs up the bed or couch with her nails. She also has a pretty large lump that feels hard near the base of her tail and between her hips. Her tail is limp and my mom has noticed she isn't eating as much as she used to either. Her nose is warm instead of moist and cold like it usually is. I have an appointment to take her to the vet this weekend when I get home from school, but I'm worried about what this may be. Where she goes outside, she needs to be able to jump if she were to try to get away from something, and she's so young, I can't imagine what could be wrong with her. Does anybody have any knowledge of what could be wrong??

It could be any number of things. The best thing to do is take her into the vet and get it checked out to get it properly treated. 

At a guess it is most likely injury related and will need probably a visual exam, antibiotics, and possibly an x-ray to see if anything is broken in that area. From her lack of jumping I am going to guess an injury to her hips or lower spinal area. Either of which can be very dangerous for an indoor/outdoor cat not only in terms of limited jumping but also reduce mobility in general and inability to get away from an danger she might encounter. If its coupled with a reduced appetite you could have an infection at the injury site or even internal blockage from it. 

If she was my cat, I'd take the day off work and take her into the vet now. Cats hide injury very well and usually by the time we notice it it can be quiet advance and serious. What you are describing isn't something I would wait on to see if it gets better. Not to scare you, but I've heard of injuries to that region resulting in life threatening complications. The sooner you get her in the sooner she can get treatment and start feeling better.

Thanks for the reply! I moved her appointment up to yesterday. My vet said she was most likely hit by a car (I cried). Her tail was broken and she no longer has reflexes in it. She has to have her tail amputated and hopefully she will be able to jump again after. I feel so terrible for her.

I don't blame you for crying, it can be very scary to find out our little ones were hit by a car. I am sorry her tail will have to be amputated but I am sure it is for the best. Hoping for her speedy recovery. 

I'm so sorry to hear this. Please try to keep her inside.