Why does my cat have a hard bump on her back near her shoulder?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My female cat has a large hard bump on her back right after her shoulder blades,it's about the size of a half dollar and a inch high.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 10th, 2018
The most common lumps on cats are pockets of infection, or an abscess from a cat fight. An abscess is generally hot to the touch and painful and may cause a fever and lethargy. It also could be a tumor which often are non painful but can be malignant and will grow if not removed. Also some cats get a skin reaction to a vaccination if it’s given in that location and the swelling should improve over a week or so. I recommend a veterinary exam so they can feel the lump, take her temperature and decide if further treatment is needed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 27th, 2017
If this area is swollen at all/raised I would be concerned this could be an abscess (especially if you are feeling that it is warm to the touch). The safest bet is to have your vet examine the area. If it is an abscess it may need to be drained and get antibiotics. Other possibilities could include ringworm (a fungal infection) or an insect bite that had an inflammatory reaction. Best to have her seen so we can determine the exact cause and start treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
What could the lump on the shoulder of my cat be? It's hard and doesn't move around. Vet said it wasn't and abscess. Cat still acts fine.
Most lumps that occur on a pets skin can be either one of 3 things, especially in cats. 1) Abscess- it seems your vet has ruled this out, 2) Benign tumor- typically fatty lipomas and some other tumors we don't tend to worry about 3) Malignant tumor- these are often invasive and can also spread, depending on type, to other parts of the body. Now the one and only way to differentiate #2 from #3 is to have either: a) Fine-needle aspirate (least invasive procedure where a needle is introduced into the mass, cells are drawn off and then send off to a lab for analysis, this procedure does have a chance that the cells taken are not enough and results can be inconclusive in some situations) b) Excisional biospy- this is where the whole mass is removed surgically and typically either under sedation or general anesthesia. Because the entire mass is removed the results are almost always conclusive and you get your answer as to what type of mass it is , if it was removed in its entirety in tha
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat has a lump or bump on his back
If Yellow Cat is allowed outside, this lump could be an abscess. Cats who go outdoors can get into fights with other cats, and bites from other cats frequently lead to abscesses. These are very painful to the cat, and need to be sterilely drained and flushed, and oral antibiotics prescribed to treat the infection. Other causes of the lump include a cyst, a benign tumor, or a malignant tumor. I would have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning to have this lump examined and diagnosed so it can be treated as needed. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi i have malee cat idk breed or age he just came to us recently i noticed a big lump or idk how to say on his back right bellow neck area its size of a egg larger then egg on touch it feel something between sponge or waterballon it recently showed u
From your description this sounds like an abscess or pocket of infection. Outdoor cats get these from fighting. You can use a hot compress on the area and massage it. If you find a scab I would remove it so the infection can drain out. If you can take him to a veterinarian they will sedate him and clean the area and give him antibiotics. Once the area has drained you can keep the wounds cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. If you are going to keep him I recommend neutering him so he’s not so prone to fighting. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for your cat.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat got a lump on his back and it soft user skin ?
Cats can develop lumps on their backs for a number of different reasons. One of the main culprits of soft, squishy lumps under the skin - particularly in cats that are around other animals or go outside - is an abscessed bite wound. Abscesses are basically pockets of infection and require veterinary treatment in order to properly drain and flush them, and to prescribe antibiotics. I'd recommend taking Leo to his vet for evaluation to get to the bottom of this lesion so that treatment can be started promptly. I hope that he feels better soon! https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/abscesses/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
There is a spot on the back of my cats shoulders. She doesn't seem to have any more but just that one and her sister doesn't have them either. All their lives they have been house cats. When I touch it it doesn't hurt but if i press it does. To me th
If this area is swollen at all/raised I would be concerned this could be an abscess (especially if you are feeling that it is warm to the touch). The safest bet is to have your vet examine the area. If it is an abscess it may need to be drained and get antibiotics. Other possibilities could include ringworm (a fungal infection) or an insect bite that had an inflammatory reaction. Best to have her seen so we can determine the exact cause and start treatment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my cat has like little bumps on his back and a bigger one on his neck
Hi there, it is hard to give you a specific answer regarding these bumps without seeing them, but I will try and give you some suggestions. If the lumps have just come up and feel soft they could be urticaria from an allergic reaction. Likewise if they are fairly new and are red or hot they may be caused by a skin infection. However, if the lumps have been there for a while again they could be infection but they could also be little growths in the skin. Have a good feel and if they are under the skin and soft they could be fatty lumps. If they are hard and in the skin they could be cysts, and if on top get may be warts. Unfortunately there is also the possibility the growths could be tumours. If you like you can repost with some photographs or more information and we can try and help more. I would recommend going to the vet to have he lumps checked f they have been there for a while. If they have just come up and don't look infected you could wait a day or so and give an antihista
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. My cat just developed a lump on his head. I attached three photos. Any idea what that might be? Thanks?
It’s hard to be sure what this is from the photo. The most common lump that come up quickly in cats is an abscess, or pocket of infection. They develop from a puncture wound usually. If it’s an infection it will be sore, hot to the touch, and feel soft. Due to Sampson’s age though this could be a mass or tumor. Those lumps are firm, non painful and do not feel warm. I recommend a veterinary exam to determine what the lump is. They can take a needle and examine some cells from inside the lump and get a diagnosis. If it’s an infection this should heal with antibiotics. If it’s a growth, depending on the diagnosis they may just watch it for enlargement or recommend surgical removal. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Samson.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My son bumblebee has a knot on his left side right by his arm it's hard and today he's normal but yesterday when I touched it he turned into Mr Hyde I don't want to panic but I don't want him to suffer or be in any pain what could it be and could he
Well bumblebee is quite the handsome cat. A bump like that could be a local reaction to a vaccine if he has recently had any shots, caused by a bug bite or bite wound from another animal, or even a benign or cancerous tumor. Since it is a new growth, I would have your vet take a look at it. Your vet will be able to aspirate it and determine if it needs to be watch or surgically removed or if he just needs some antibiotics. I do not think he will die from this, but early intervention is key. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My indoor cat is ten months old and recently I noticed a hard, red bump on her neck. What is it and what can I do??
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. She could have an infection on or under her skin. If this is not the case, then she could have a mass that has grown. In this case, she would need a procedure known as a fine needle aspirate. The veterinarian would use a small needle to collect a sample of cells to evaluate under the microscope. This will help to diagnose the mass and determine if surgical removal is necessary. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cat was missing for the last 5 weeks. Just reunited and I noticed on his spine a bump. Not sure what happened if maybe he fell? Doesn't hurt him or affect eating. Should I Ice it or do anything? He is 1 year 7 months old and has had no issues befo
If the swelling is warm to the touch and slightly depressible, then this is most likely an abscess (pus filled pocket) which is caused by some kind of trauma or puncture to the skin. This is a very common occurrence in cats that are outside or go outside for a brief period of time. To treat this you will need the help of your veteran veterinarian, who can drain the abscess and flush out all of the bacteria, and then put Dusty on a short course of oral antibiotics. Ask your veterinarian about an injectable antibiotic called Convenia, which they can give right there at the hospital. This antibiotic is favored by cat owners because it requires no medication giving at home and lasts for 2 weeks with just a 1-time injection by your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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