Why does my cat have a growing lump on its leg that isn't a tick?

Hi Lianne! From the picture, it appears to be a growth of some sorts, but because I can't see Elizabeth in person, I honestly can't say for certain. What concerns me is that you say it has gotten bigger since you first noticed it, and also her age. She is over 10 years old, and if it is a growth, at her age, there is always a chance that any growth could be malignant. In this case, I think it's very important that she gets this checked out by a vet. I'd take her into a vet first thing in the morning. I hope this helps!

Without further testing, there is no way to tell if this growth is due to infection, trauma or allergy, or if it is a mass. Masses can be of a malignant (cancerous) type that can spread elsewhere and/ or invade the healthy tissue around them, or a more benign (noncancerous) type that is unlikely to spread. I recommend making an appointment for Onxy to see your vet to have the growth tested. In many cases this can be done using a fine needle aspirate, where cells are removed from the growth using a needle and examined under a microscope to determine what it is and to guide treatment. In some cases further testing may be needed to determine the necessary course of treatment, but it is important to get new growths tested in a timely manner, to allow for treatment if necessary.

Judging from the pictures, this could be a skin infection, reaction or skin tumors. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. There is different treatment for these different causes and it would be best to have the condition confirmed in order for Vader to receive the most appropriate treatment. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!

Hi there and thank you for your post! It sounds like when you attempted to remove it, you caused it to bleed a bit. Based on your description this sounds like a benign skin tumor but to be safe, I would have Kahuna's vet take a look at this to make sure it is nothing to be concerned about. Your vet can insert a small needle into the mass and look at the cells under a microscope to get a better idea of what it could be. If it is small enough and is benign, it can be removed with a local anesthetic or by freezing it with a cryogenic procedure. If it is suspicious looking though, your vet may want to remove it and send it out for further testing.

This does not look like a tick - it is more likely to be a skin cyst, a skin growth or papilloma or tumor, or possibly a wound caused by a grass seed / foxtail. Your vet will be able to identify what exactly it is and recommend treatment if indicated.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 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 her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Panda. It is difficult to say from your picture. It is most likely a small skin mass. However, it could be a tick. Check closely to see if it appears alive, has legs and can be removed. It is best for him to see his veterinarian. If it is a mass, a sample of cells may be taken to evaluate under the microscope. This can help determine the type of mass and if surgical removal is needed. If it appears to be a tick, it needs to be removed carefully to ensure it is fully removed. Sometimes medication is needed as ticks can spread disease to dogs. I hope this information helps!