Strange hairless growth on paw...

roxierandle

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My cat, Dexter, has a mysterious hairless growth on his front paw. It is raised up from the skin and the surface is smooth (almost looks like an engorged tick at first glance) but it's flesh-colored and kind of mushy. The vet thought it might be ringworm, but it does not resemble ANY description of ringworm that I have read. Dexter does not favor that area, does not lick it, does not react when I touch it, doesn't seem to be bothered at all by the growth. Any ideas as to what it could be???
 

hell603

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Has the Vet actually had look or did you just have a phone conversation?

If you have not seen the Vet - you need to. If you did see the vet and that is the only response you got you need a second opinion.

Good Luck!!
 
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roxierandle

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Yes, Dexter has seen two vets at the same clinic... The first vet was not concerned about it at all unless it would happen to change in size or color. The second vet is the one who thought it could be ringworm just b/c it was a circle-shaped loss of hair. The growth has actually gotten bigger since I first discovered it a few months ago but doesn't seem to be growing at a very fast rate...
 

arlyn

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If it is growing at all, you should err on the side of caution, have it removed and biopsied.
 

zissou'smom

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From a long line of human skin cancer,
I agree wholeheartedly with Arlyn and everyone else.
Everything you described sounds very very suspicious, that its painless, hairless, growing, mushy, etc. It could be some wierd kind of wart, it could be nothing, or it could be something you will be very glad you triple-checked.
 

yorkiegal

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tabitha had something removed from her paw in january which sounded similar although after being small for a while, it did suddenly have a rapid growth spurt. It turned out to be a malignant tumor which had grown out of the sweat glands on her paw. However, these types of tumor are isolated and easily removed in one go so not as scary as they sound. It was hairless and slightly spongy. In fact it was soft enough that she kept getting bits of cat litter stuck in it. She had it removed and didn't require any further treatment.
My vet recognised it as a tumor straightaway though so perhaps this is something completely different.

edit: it was called an apocrine ductal carcinoma
 
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roxierandle

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Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'll be going to another vet clinic for a 3rd opinion since the growth IS getting bigger... I appreciate everyone's input.
 
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