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What if my cat has a painful lump on her nipple? Is it cancer?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 11 years and 4 months old | 5 lbs

My 9yr old female cat has recently gotten A quarter size rock hard lumpity mass on her bottom right nipple. It is extremely painful, swollen & full of A watery fluid. PLEASE HELP me/her get some medical attention. I have no insurance or money for A vet. It is literally breaking my heart to watch her constantly reposition herself to try & get comfortable. I've attached 2 of the same photo. 1 is labeled. This is the best she would sit still for.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 15th, 2019

In an unspayed female cat this is almost always mammary (breast) cancer. You need to find a way to get her to a vet. This is not something you can treat at home. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/mammary-tumors-in-cats ) ( https://www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/ ) Mammary cancer is EXTREMELY rare in spayed cats so, in the future, if you get more cats, please have them spayed as young as possible to prevent this.

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