Strange growth in ear

[felinexpress]

I have a long-haired calico about four years old. She was kept in a birdcage for three years outside by a bird hoarder. She came to my home after a raid.

She has been vetted and seen several times for a large bulb-like growth that is growing right at the base of her ear. At first the diagnoses was a mole and to just leave it alone. The second diagnoses when it got bigger and started to bleed that it was a result of a yeast infection. I was given synotic otic solution and transderm. the bulge got bigger and on the other ear, another similar nodule is forming.

There have been four vets who have looked at this cat. I have lost another cat in the past from squamous cell carcinoma and I have asked every vet if this is cancerous. They all say no. They did a scraping but saw nothing alarming. Because the cure seems to make the ear worse, I have stopped using any of the solutions- but where to go from here. How do you get a vet who says it isn't cancer to do a biopsy just to be sure?

[Traci]

When did you first notice the growth?

In what time frame did it enlarge?

Is it located inside or outside of the ear? In front of the base or behind the base of the ear?

Has kitty been FULLY examined for other areas, such as armpits, groin, mouth, footpads and between toes, etc? (some tumors, whether benign or not, can appear also in these areas)

Did/does she have any other symptoms? I.e, scratching, itchiness, self-mutilation of the wound with her claws, head-shaking etc.

Did/does she have any other health issues? I.e, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, fever activity, gastrointestinal issues etc.

Can you describe the growth in better detail? What is it's size, approximately, in mm's?

Is the growth hard or soft, under the skin or above the skin?

Is the growth ulcerated, crusted, cauliflower-like in appearance?

What color is the growth? Black, blue, red, white, brown etc?

Besides bleeding, has the growth had any other discharge?

Did the vet(s) even consider doing a fine-needle biopsy first, as opposed to a surgical biopsy? A fine-needle aspiration can sometimes be done on growths that are fluid-filled. Otherwise, most growths require a biopsy and histopathology.

The fact that this first appeared on one ear, then enlarged, then has a new growth on the other ear should be quite concerning to the vets. But, not knowing the experience level of the vets (especially if they are rural vets), then your best bet is to get to a vet who is feline-only or a specialist. At the very least, demand a referral or demand they consult a specialist on your behalf.

The problem with undiagnosed lumps and bumps is that some of them could be benign but if not addressed and treated properly, can actually develop into a malignant growth. Also, any growth that enlarges in a short amount of time, should NEVER go unchecked without a biopsy. Only a very very few growths can be somewhat diagnosed with a skin scrape or slide exam, the majority require either a fine-needle aspirate (not always confirmative), or surgical biopsy.

Since kitty was in an environment with birds, she should also be tested for Coccidioidomycosis and Cryptococcosis, both of which can be diagnosed with either a blood test or fungal culture (or both).

Without more information, it's impossible to guess here. The important thing is get rid of these vets and see a feline-only vet or a feline specialist. I express time is of the essence, the sooner the growth is properly diagnosed, the sooner proper treatment can begin. If benign, chances are, initial treatment will resolve it (but could take time). Some tumors even if malignant, respond to removal and subsequent treatment. Others require chemo or radiation therapy, but let's not assume the worst - get kitty to a more qualified vet, NOW.

[Traci]

P.S. Do you by chance have pictures? Close-ups?

[felinexpress]

Not the easiest kitty to handle due to early abuse but here is the photo (I think)

[Traci]

That's an excellent pic, but impossible to determine what the growth is. It looks wart-like, but since there is another growth on the other ear, it should be biopsied. One should NEVER leave these to change, biopsy is most effective method to rule out the various types of growths.

Don't let this go, MA, get kitty to a vet who will biospy (providing kitty is in otherwise excellent health to withstand anesthesia, would recommend blood profile prior to anesthesia).

[felinexpress]

traci,

I am making arrangements to have this growth and the other smaller growth (newly formed) on her other ear taken off. The feline specialist suspects the large growth to be benign, but belives the smaller one might not be.

Thanks for the support-

[Traci]

A suspicion is just that, only a biopsy can determine for sure.

Please keep me updated on kitty? I so hope both nodules are benign and kitty does well!!

[felinexpress]

I will, I take her in tomorrow for a re-check where they will tell me how much the surgery is going to be. And I just got the vet bill paid down! I'm not rescuing anymore either Traci. Instead, I have written a book about my experiences with these strays and I have a publishing house looking at it now. There is strong interest in what I have to share with people about working with strays and ferals.

I imagine, she will be having the surgery by the end of Jan. I just hope it won't destroy her ear wall though- the growth has gotten so big it now blocks her opening.

It' the small nodule that has me most worried and the FS echoes my concern. Whatever she does have, it is spreading.

[felinexpress]

traci the vet found another growth So she goes in the morning to have surgery. They will remove all three growths. Vet seems puzzled about these lumps said he wished he knew why they were appearing.

[Traci]

If this is a specialist, then he knows not to infer doubt and conjecture without having the biopsies. It is never useful to speculate first, there are SO many growths that behave so differently, many are benign.

Try to remain positive. I'd suggest a full blood profile before anesthesia, please discuss that thoroughly. In light of suspicious growths, one needs to know she is in otherwise excellent health condition before anesthesia.