Lump Under Cat Skin

by Lea Gardner
(Indianapolis, IN)

Reader Question: My Cat Has A Mass In Her Body That Blocks The Flow of Bodily Fluids, How Can I Treat This?

I went to the vet for treatment of a lump that was initially diagnosed as a bruise/hematoma. Further lab-work concluded my 17 year-old cat has a mass in her body that is blocking regular flow of bodily fluids causing her to retain an accumulation of reddish fluid in a 'nodule-like form/mass' on her underside- by her leg. Hence it is VERY hard to keep wrapped! Every few days it leaks fluid but is not causing harm; her lymph-nodes are normal. I want to learn to care for this as a wound.

Please help!

I have a prescription for anti-biotic from the vet. They said they would be able to remove the mass but could not guarantee it would work nor that she would make it through the surgery; I cannot afford a $1000 surgery or the risk of her life. The vet said she could drain it periodically but that will be very expensive. I cannot find any sort-of information on this!

PLEASE HELP!

Lea Gardner

Vet Responds To Reader Question Regarding Nurturing This Rare Cat Skin Disease

Hello Lea,

It does sound as if you and your cat are dealing with an unusual situation. I can only offer you general advice for dealing with similar lesions since I do not have a definitive diagnosis for your cat, but here are some options:

Using electric clippers, shave the fur from the lesion and from the surrounding skin. This will allow you to keep the area much cleaner and dryer than you would otherwise.

When the lesion is draining, apply a barrier ointment to the surrounding skin to prevent the liquid from causing tissue damage. A + D ointment or a diaper cream like Desitin are reasonable options.

If your cat will stand for it, consider outfitting her with modified baby t-shirt or toy dog apparel that can absorb some of the discharge. Of course, you will have to change and wash the shirt often to prevent it from causing more problems than it is preventing, but this might be a simpler solution than trying to maintain a bandage in an awkward location.

Best of luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM