Is this dark growth on my 8 1/2 year old cat's skin serious?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Found this on 8 1/2 year old cat
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 1st, 2017
I would get this checked out by a vet. I worry about these dark-colored masses being melanoma, which can be a serious cancer if not controlled soon enough. It's also possible that this is a benign skin tumor or cyst, but there's no way to tell for sure from looking at it. A sample will need to be analyzed under a microscope in order to tell what type of mass it is. I hope that helps and all is well with the cat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on May 29th, 2019
Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am very worried about this mass due to it's color. That is very abnormal, and like you, I am a bit worried it is cancerous. I suggest you have Sullivan examined by your vet as soon as you can. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My cat beast has had the black spot shown on the picture for a while now, the vet said that it likely is not anything serious. Today I started to wonder if it has grown, though I am not sure. He has asthma, no other diseases that we know of. His beha
Hi, I can see the dark pigmented mass on the photo and I would be more cautious then to say in certainty what any mass is by simply looking at it. If it hasn't been done yet I suggest to go to your vet and consider trying to take a sample. This usually means collecting samples of the material inside the mass with a needle (fine needle aspiration=FNA). Taking a sample and analyzing at it under the microscope or sending it to a pathologist for identification is crucial in most cases for a definitive diagnosis. If FNA is not effective (or if your vet thinks it's not the best option) the next recommendation is usually a biopsy.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi our 9 yr old female black cat has a raised black nodule on top part of her thigh. It's increased in size since we first discovered it 3 months ago. Size of fingernail with a large swelling directly beneath it under skin..im guessing it need to be
Yes, this does sound like a melanoma. please take your cat to a vet ASAP as melanomas are very aggressive. Your vet may not even biopsy it for fear of spreading it, but opt to remove the tumor surgically under anesthesia. Do not wait, take her now.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is about 15-17 years old. I've noticed a small blackish blue lump on his leg and over the past month I've noticed a difference in size. No hair is on this lump, he has been an indoor cat since we have gotten him. What can this be?
His lump is likely a mass. I would recommend getting samples taken from this mass and having your vet send them off for analysis to see if this is something to be concerned about (cancerous) or not. Most masses cannot be identified just by looking at them, which requires analysis of the cells that make up the mass. I hope that everything works out for Kitty and hopefully this is a benign mass that isn't something you need to be concerned about. Best wishes and take care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat is black so cant give a colour of this spot. It feels like a hard mole. Could you please give me some addvise on this. He is 12years old eats well and full of life. You cannot see the spot because of his colour. Thanks Mrs polloc
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is this cancer, how concerned should I be about it and what treatment is likely to be recommended. What will happen if I don’t do anything?
To me it looks like a wart that is typical in old cats. If it has been there for a good while and hasn't changed much, I would get it checked the net time your cat goes to see your vet for an annual exam. If it came up suddenly or have changed significantly recently then I would get it checked as soon as possible. Sudden changes in growths is concerning because they can indicate malignancy. A wart is nothing to worry about unless she scratches it and injures herself or it gets infected. Something more serious should be evaluated and potentially removed before they spread.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a large pink bump under her chin. It doesn’t seem to bother her but it has gotten a little bigger in the last month or so.
Pets can get many types of lumps and bumps. Most of these tumors will be benign but some will be malignant and you can't tell by looks. Here is a helpful link discussing the various types of skin masses in general: https://www.petcoach.co/article/lumps-and-bumps-on-your-pet/ Since you are noticing the mass changing, I do recommend to have it checked out to be safe. The doctor may recommend to aspirate the mass to examine the cells under a microscope. That is one of the best ways to know what it is and if further action is needed. Hopefully it's nothing serious.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has one enlarged hard black nipple. I noticed a few weeks ago, and so far has not changed. It is stuff to the touch. She does not seem to mind when I touch it, so no pain. It is much bigger than her other nipples and appears to be a weird shap
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. This mass looks pretty serious. Any type of color change, especially dark like this one, makes us suspicious of cancer. I suggest you take her to your vet for an exam. Likely this mass will need to be surgically removed and sent to a laboratory for histopathology testing. I don't mean to scare you but I don't think this is something to ignore. I hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a large lump under his fur and a pinkish wart looking small bump protruding from his skin. He is about 9 years old and a bit over weight.
The pink raised mass in the picture appears to be a wart. I would not be concerned about this unless it grows or changes in color. The lump you feel could range from a cyst to a cancerous growth. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian for an aspirate. This is where they can take cells from the mass and look at it with microscope
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has an abnormal growth on her face she’s 10
This growth needs to be checked and analysed as there are many conditions and types of tumors that could look like that. take her to the vet, they will perform a fine needle aspiration on the growth and send it to the lab for analysis. when the result comes, the vet will advise what needs to be done according to the diagnosis.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a brown lump on her face which is firm to the touch but not a scab. Is it something that we should be worried about and should get checked straight away?
Hello there and thank you for posting your question and picture. From the picture, it appears to be a benign skin mass that usually develop in older pets. These typically have this appearance and sometimes will not change in size or will increase in size. Most of these do not bother the animal and can be monitored. If you would like to confirm it is benign, your vet can perform additional tests on this mass. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via text / phone consultation if needed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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