Could my kitty have cancer?

March 7, 2009 1:41 PM

My elderly, FIV-positive cat has a strange black bump on his neck. I can't find anything similar online and the vet dismissed it as a blackhead about six months ago, but it got bigger.

It is a raised round bump with the consistency of a scab and does not seem itchy or painful. Its edges are clearly defined and it is about the size of the head of a pin. It started as a small black spot about the size of a large blackhead and the black substance seemed to flake away like dirt. It could not be squeezed out or picked off. Now it almost feels like a mole and it seems like it has a root part under the skin too. I'm scared that it may be cancer. I do plan on taking him to the vet, and I know YANAV -- or maybe some of you are. I just want to know if anyone else has ever experienced this and what it might be so I go to the vet informed.

posted by xenophile to Pets & Animals (4 answers total)

I have no advice on what it could be, but might I suggest taking him to a different vet?
posted by Solomon at 2:35 PM on March 7, 2009

I am not a vet, but sometimes cats can form lumps filled with blood due to abscesses or trauma called hematomas, and people commonly confuse these with tumors. I would suggest having a vet do an biopsy on the growth. It's better to be overly cautious when dealing with your pet's health, especially since your cat is FIV-positive.
posted by Buttons at 3:21 PM on March 7, 2009

Could it possibly be a wart? (Do cats get warts?)
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 9:32 PM on March 7, 2009

My cat has black flaky stuff underneath his chin, which the vet diagnosed as cat acne. Your thing sounds different, but the black flaky stuff sounds familiar. It really might be a blackhead. But, for your peace of mind, you should probs go to the vet anyway.
posted by wuzandfuzz at 3:24 PM on March 8, 2009