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Feral kitten has a lump on his arm after neuter surgery. Emergency?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 4 months and 1 day old | 3 lbs

I took feral kitten to get neutered. Kept him in large trap overnight to let him recover from surgery. Today I noticed a lump on his arm. Called vet and they did not shave his arm or inject him on his arm. I was wondering what this big lump was. Maybe he hurt himself trying to escape from the trap? Is it an emergency?

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on August 3rd, 2018

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to say exactly what the lump may be. It could be an abscess, a reaction to an injection given, or a tumor. I would recommend Nugget see his veterinarian soon to have this evaluated. Your veterinarian may take a sample of the material or tissue from the lump to help determine what it is so it can be appropriately treated. If Nugget is otherwise normal, I do not think this is an emergency. I would just be sure to have this evaluated soon within the next few days. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 20th, 2018

    There are a couple of things this could be on Arlo's stomach. Yes it is possible that it could be a suture reaction, but it would be a little soon in the healing process for it to be scar tissue. Another possibility is a seroma. This is a pocket of fluid that can develop in the surgical site. Finally, it could be a hernia. The only way to know for sure is to take him into the vet to have it examined. Given that he is otherwise acting normally, it's not an emergency so I recommend taking him in Monday or Tuesday. Good luck, I hope this helps!

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