Just noticed a lump on 15-yo's back!

[Tracey]

Hello: I visited here last fall when we had a scare (one vet Dx'd renal failure while the Vet School eventually said no) with my "only child"; she's been doing really well back on her old food (she hated the kidney diet food). Anyway, just this afternoon I was smoothing down her hair really well after brushing and noticed a lump on her back. It's just past her shoulder blades and slightly off to one side. I *think* it moves a little when I try to manipulate it but can't be sure. She exhibits no pain from it. I've heard of tumors/cancer at the site of vaccinations, and so this is what I'm fearing. I think the vet is open in the morning, so I'll call for her an appt. asap, but meanwhile is there anything you can say to calm my nerves? Does a lump always mean bad news? I'd hate to put Casey through something so horrible as surgery and treatments at her age if it's not going to give several good years back to her (us), etc. I know I'm being premature with all this, but I just can't stand it and had to come to this board. Should I take her to the pet ER at the Vet school or wait til the local vet can see her next week? I'm wondering if I should just head straight to the Vet School regardless--will regular vets be able to help if it's cancerous, etc.? Many, many thanks!

Tracey

[jdf]

Even though lipomas ( fatty tumors) are more frequent in dogs, they can occur in cats. Lipomas are typically benign growths of fat cells. It sounds like this may be a possibillity. I understand why you're fearful because of the location - we recently had a similar scare with one of our cats which turned out to be an insect bite (probably a hornet sting). I'm posting a link to info on lipomas, FYI. Try not to worry until your vet takes a look - I know that's easier said than done.

Best of luck at the vets.

http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=4449

[Traci]

If your kitty HAS had a recent vaccination within the last three months, then yes, get it checked. Otherwise, it probably would not be attributed to a vaccination. Within the last 3 months, did your kitty recieve any other injections for meds, etc ? If other injections were given, this could be a muscle reaction in which you want your vet to investigate (plus make note in health chart so that future meds can be reviewed before administering again)

If she is allowed outdoors, rule out insect bite, abcess from bite wound from another animal, pellet, etc, or allergic reaction to something in the environment. For this reason, I would suggest NOT waiting a week to get her seen, make an appointment as soon as possible.

[Tracey]

Thanks for the info on lipomas, jdf. I appreciate it.

Traci.....my kitty is an indoor cat and never around any other animals. Her last vaccine was about this time last year. She did get some sub-q fluids back around March, but that's it. She seems fine--eating well, etc.; her coat is really nice again now that she's off the kidney diet and back to her old SD hairball senior formula. I was needing to get blood tests done on her again just to make sure that the last vet was correct in saying there wasn't any renal failure, etc., so anyway, I'll just call this morning as soon as the clinic opens and schedule her an appt. Was thinking of taking her to the ER, but that seems overkill?

Thanks again for the replies. I apprecite it!
Regards, Tracey

[Tracey]

Update....took Casey to the vet this morning. The vet pulled some fluid from the lump to have tested. She said that there appeared to be some fat cells (good news?). It was about 1 inch in size and didn't appear to be connected to anything. She didn't want to talk about treatment until we know the results of the aspiration--should know Monday. She checked lymph nodes and didn't make a comment, so I guess everything else was fine--no weight loss, etc., either. Just one unhappy cat at being tricked into the pet carrier . Anyway, took the opportunity for blood tests, and I'm waiting on the call about that. Sure hope we don't have to go back to kidney diet food since Casey hated it all and lost too much weight and got weak. It's so sad having your beloved pet get old. Anyway, thank you!
Tracey

[LisaLisa]

Sounds like good news so far..keeping all paws crossed...

[Traci]

Tracey, thanks for being so proactive in getting her seen.

Chances are, since your vet found fatty cells, it is simply a lipoma (which are generally harmless unless in a location that is bothersome. If it is a lipoma, it may receed and may not ever develop again. But, you will want to keep an eye on it for any signs of growth/changes, or if it occurs in any other areas on the body, especially in bothersome areas in which these would probably require removal. Generally, we don't like to remove lipomas that are small enough and not bothersome, but your vet will instruct your further.

Just a note about kidney diets...if ever you are faced with this again, you know you can always opt for another type veterinary diet. K/D is not always palatable for every kitty, others can be attempted: Purina Veterinary, Eukanuba, IVD, Walthams.

Sending good thoughts for nothing more than a lipoma, and that blood results will be unremarkable...Update us when you can?

[Tracey]

Thank you! Casey's blood work was good, thank goodness, so that means I don't have to upset her digestion with a diet change as we deal with her "tumor"......which I guess also means we have a little more leeway in case she needs surgery. I know she's 15, but she's healthy. I just can't sit by and let her die without trying......of course, if I knew it'd only make her sick, with few months to live, I would never do it. Anyway, I know I'm jumping the gun.....just have to wait til Monday's test results are in. I sure hope they're conclusive; I don't think I could stand the anxiety of it all.
Tracey

[Tracey]

Good news.....sort of? First thing, the aspirate results indicate only fatty cells. However, the vet is still concerned because of the location--not a usual site of fatty cell tumors but IS the site of a possible vaccine-related tumor. HOWEVER, it's been almost a full 12 months since her last vaccine and 7 months since a sub-q fluid injection. Given that it's been a year since her last vaccine, could it still be a fibrosarcoma (sp?)? The vet is pretty sure she got several good angles on the aspirate, but says that doesn't mean anything.....that the tumor might not be ("shedding"--not the word she used, but I can't remember it). Vet keeps asking if I might've missed the tumor before. Well, if it was smaller, maybe--and now only catching it now that it's bigger, BUT, she was examined by that vet herself plus 2 others at the Vet school 6 months ago.......so, if it were vaccine related, you'd think one of those 3 examiners would've caught it??? Anyway, just trying to figure out how to proceed.......... Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.
Tracey

[Traci]

Tracey, if your current vet is hesitant or uncertain in the least, don't wait to get a feline oncologist's opinion right away. Given the location and your vet's doubt, combined, I wouldn't wait to see an oncologist at least for confirmation on whether or not this is a lipoma or VAS.

When palpating (feeling) the tumor, one can usually make an assuption of sarcoma if it feels encapsulated...what this means is that it is actually compressed tumor tissue, and it can have "tendrons" that exceed beyond the tumor site. If your vet felt that it was not connected to tissue or bone, it may still only be a fatty tumor, but given the location and her uncertainty, I wouldn't take that risk, get a feline oncologist's opinion right away.

Most sarcomas are noticeable or defined 3-6 months after injection of a vaccine, however, some have not been clinically diagnosed for up to 1-3 years later, simply because the owner didn't notice, or in absense of signs or symptoms.

Please get that oncologist's opinion, and also ask for an x-ray to help determine if there are visible signs of extension of a tumor. Not trying to scare you, but when your primary vet is uncertain, you don't want to waste time in a confirmation.