Little lumps/bumpe near cats nipple

[ShahnazAC]

Hello everyone,

I feel like whenever I come on here it's always with worry and fear. My beautiful Persian cat who I have talked about in previous threads has 2 small, easily moving lumps near her nipples, (the dark kitty on my photo). They are very round and move around very easily and are small. The larger one feels smaller than a pea and the other is half the size. They don't feel hard or rigid at all.

She was spayed late in her life due various issues and also a failed attempt were she had to be woken up as she reacted negatively to the anesthesia, (possibly due to her RCM). My poor baby has had such a difficult time since her brothers passing 2 years ago.

I've got her annual vaccination and wellness appointment in 4 days were I will definitely get this looked into. Its her 7th birthday on the day and I felt bad getting her vaccinated on her birthday.

Google as fantastic as it is, it also really does me no good. I start spiralling for answers. Answers that are very scary to read but I want to be prepared what to expect.

I only discovered these lumps only 2 days ago and automatically feared the worst. I've been clutching at straws trying to make up anything to make me feel better. She was only spayed 6 months ago at a major animal hospital safely and healed perfectly fine in the end.

Please keep my baby in your prayers/thought's. This time of year for the past 2 years have been very difficult for us. I just want a few more years with her and will do anything for her best interest.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. Based on what you are describing, it doesn't seem as if it would be cancerous - just because the lumps move around easily - which I take to mean they are not really affixed to anything other than superficial tissue. It could even be cysts. But it is good that she will be seen very soon by a vet who can take a closer look.

Well wishes, prayers, and good luck with the vet visit. Please let us know what happens.

 

[ShahnazAC]

Hi. Based on what you are describing, it doesn't seem as if it would be cancerous - just because the lumps move around easily - which I take to mean they are not really affixed to anything other than superficial tissue. It could even be cysts. But it is good that she will be seen very soon by a vet who can take a closer look.

Well wishes, prayers, and good luck with the vet visit. Please let us know what happens.

Thank you for your well wishes. I will definitely keep you posted.

I'm crossing all fingers, thumbs and toes and hoping it's not cancer. Let it be anything but cancer.

 

[ShahnazAC]

Hello everyone,

Just an update, babycat went for her annual vaccination today and I also had her little lumps checked out. The vet said to keep an eye on it over the next month and should it grow larger to take her back in for a fine needle aspiration. She said it's hard to tell just by feeling. The lumps are very small and she mentioned it maybe difficult to extract anything right now. She said it could be a cyst or something more but right now as babycat is comfortable and theres no redness or irritation, to keep a close eye on her. She pays no attention to it at all and doesnt itch the area. I tried feeling a bit more and I still feel 2 little pea sized balls (maybe 1 is a smidge smaller) that move around. It doesn't feel like it's firmly attached on the tissue. I can move it around that area in every direction and she doesn't show any symptoms of it hurting or bothering her.

I don't know if I'm relieved just yet. Just very anxious if it does grow. I'm hoping/praying they go away! Her blood test from a month ago were all within the normal range and her lungs sound clear right now. I keep telling myself, if the vet was worried and thought more attention was needed they would have just told me that. They are professionals and know waaaaay more than me.

For now, I'm going to give her much needed space and wont be hovering around her too much. She's a independent little madam and I'm sure I've been more than annoying the past week.

Once again, thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. I will keep you posted.

 

[ShahnazAC]

A little update.

I had this tugging feeling that something is not right and the 'sit and observe for 1 month' approach just didn't sit right with me. I took my babycat to the vets again because I felt the texture of the lumps change. They felt firmer and didn't move as freely. Also, there was a smaller new lump next to one of the original lumps now totalling to 3.

I saw a different vet today who point blank said to get one of the mammary chains removed, (the side with 2 lumps) and then only remove the single lump opposed the entire chain on the opposite side. He said to get them removed at the local vets, but I have my reservations. Previous anaesthesia attempt at the regular vet almost killed her. The vet who saw her then advised to take her to the animal hospital for the procedure.

When I voiced my hesitation about getting surgery at the local vet, the vet said that they will email the animal hospital and check on the wait time. Would I be wrong to insist I want the procedure done in the animal hospital? They spayed her with no problems and they said they used very heart safe medicine. When i took babycat back to the regular vet for her post spay checkup, the vet said to me that it was good decision that I took her to the animal hospital.

Just recalling all the conversations, I just don’t know. My gut tells me not to get the surgery done at the local vets. I'd much rather travel a little further to the animal hospital so there's specialist's around should anything go wrong.

 

[FeebysOwner]

IMO, it is almost always best to go with one's gut.

 

[fionasmom]

When I had concerns about anesthesia with a 10 year old dog with other conditions, I took him to a specialty clinic for his surgery. His own vet, who was remarkable, completely agreed that it was the safest way.

If there was already a negative reaction to anesthesia, I would want the safest care for her.

 

[ShahnazAC]

I think I'm going to insist going to the bigger hospital. Whatever happens atleast I will have the peace of mind that she is in the best hands. I'm trying not to stress and look at the bright side as she's still very alert, happy and her sassy self. I don't think she even realises what's going on and is likely wondering why her nips have become soo popular .

Anyone else have experience with feline mastectomy and how recovery is like?

 

[ShahnazAC]

Update:

I've taken babycat to be seen by a Oncologist in the Animal hospital. Long story short, a week prior her appointment I couldn't find the original lump! I was starting to question myself, am I just missing it by accident or am i purposely not locating it? I was told to keep an eye out if the lumps were to get bigger but nothing if they got smaller. I called my local vet (the vet who had felt the 3 lumps), he also confirmed that he felt three. I did mention I couldn't feel one (the biggest one) and that the other two now felt smaller. He didn't really listen to me, (he probably thought I was delusional and trying to be over optimistic).

I took babycat a week later, the oncologist was also a little confused after the physical examination. There was now only 2 incredibly small grain like bumps in between the glands opposed to next to the nipple. The oncologist did say typically, mammary tumour start around the near the nipple then migrates, not the other way around. They did a fine needle aspiration and the next day I received the results. Thankfully, no caner was detected but a little thick liquid (I cant recall if she said milk like fluid / cystic fluid) was found. I have been told to do a weekly checks for any changes but, as of right now the lump/s are not cancerous! The one they did the FNA has also gone.

I cant tell you how relieved I am. This entire process along with Dr Google has done a right number on me. Given the location of the lumps and the aggressive nature of mammary tumours, I was preparing for the worst diagnosis. Once I received the positive news I crashed and took a 3 hour nap.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and prayers, It truly is very appreciated.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Thanks so much for the wonderful update!!!

 

[fionasmom]

Thank you for letting us know! This is wonderful new for both of you!