Small cyst or other nodule on cat's eyelid (10 yo male)

[kathjmcgrath]

Hello, first time poster but longtime reader. My 10 year old male domestic shorthair has a tiny whiteish smooth, round lump on his inner eyelid. I noticed is maybe a week ago and thought it might be an eyebooger, but it hasn't gone away and look attached to his skin. He has feline herpes and has always had a lot of eye discharge and also conjunctivitis flares a few times in his life.

I will send this photo to his regular vet tomorrow and consider seeing a feline ophthalmologist but he is unfortunately a *very* bad patient. We tried taking him to one years ago for a spot of iris melanosis in the other eye and he scratched the vet quite badly, so he would almost certainly need some kind of anesthesia to be seen. But he has chronic kidney disease from a dental surgery gone wrong (another long story) so anesthesia is not safe and isn't advised unless *absolutely* necessary to save his life.

I'm a biologist and reading everything I can but I can't find similar pictures online. The closest thing is chalazion or similar meibomian cyst-type nodules. But I'm terrified it could be something more serious, as is often the case with cat eyelid tumors. He's been through so much already but has been doing great so this really scares me

Any tips are very welcome, thank you very much!

 

[fionasmom]

As my GSD aged, we had a lump develop on his eyelid which was very similar. It was benign, but the reason for getting these checked out is that they will rub against the eye and cause irritation, especially if they increases in size. That may, of course, necessitate removal but the ophthalmologist could help you make a decision about all of this.

Do you have another doctor you can consult about this? I am not sure that getting a first look by putting him in a purrito should necessitate anesthesia. Can he be given something like gabapentin to calm him before a visit or is that contraindicated?

 

[maggie101]

I have a style that has gotten worse. Now a chalazion. Cats can also get it. Glad you are taking him to a vet. If it is red under the eye he will need antibiotics. Keep it clean. Wet a cloth and wipe it

 

[kathjmcgrath]

thank you very much for your replies! fionasmom we use gabapentin for any visit (~50mg). That takes the edge off but he's still very vocal and refuses to cooperate for long. That said, they *might* be able to take a look if he's also wrapped up. We'll have to try!

We're in a rural location so about 1.5-2 hours each way from the closest specialist. I'll call and see how soon we can get in and in the meantime work with the regular vet. I've read especially on human-related sites that these can self-resolve over time, and that warm compresses might help. I'll wait until we talk with the vets to try compresses but fingers crossed it doesn't grow any larger.

maggie101 I'm sorry you're dealing with this yourself. I will definitely watch for any signs of infection like redness or swelling. For now there are no signs of that. Hope you feel better soon!

thanks a million

 

[fionasmom]

Please let us know what happens. I more or less have expectations that talented vet techs can deal with a "fractious" cat as my vet calls my flame point boy.
bag to restrain a cat for medication - Google Search
I don't know if any of these cat restraining bags or slings would work for your cat.

 

[kathjmcgrath]

Talented vet techs are the best. I don't know how they do it. It could be worth picking up a restraining bag, good idea. I will give an update once we have one! Thanks again

 

[maggie101]

Talented vet techs are the best. I don't know how they do it. It could be worth picking up a restraining bag, good idea. I will give an update once we have one! Thanks again

I tried that once and could not get my cat in it though that would bbe handy if you have to give your cat a warm compress!