Hard lump on my kitty's jaw bone.

[danacat]

The lump, or mass, is about the size of a small marble. It’s seemingly attached to his bone right in the middle of his jaw, underneath. Can’t be seen due to fur & location. Can only be felt.

It’s reasonably hard, doesn’t hurt him when squeezed or pressed on. Hasn’t grown in size since I first noticed it two weeks ago and there is no scab or puncture or evidence of an injury.

Upon noticing lump I whisked him to the vet. Vet believed it was cat acne - not cancer/tumor because cat is only 10 months old- too young for cancer (though possible??). Anyway, vet sent me home with Clavamox and Prednisolone.

No improvement or change in lump after treatment. I couldn’t do full course of Pred though, because it made him vomit.

Vet wants to do biopsy, x-rays, etc. However, she is hesitant to sedate him because he has a fairly significant heart murmur.

Cat is happy, eating well, is his normal active self. What to do!

Anyone ever have similar type lump on their young cat?

If so, what was the lump? Treatment? Outcome, etc?

[Beckham03]

How bad is the heart murmur? Has your kitty been evaluated by a cardiologist?

Maybe a referral to a specialty clinic the have the aspirate done where they have both an anesthesiologist and a cardiologist around to guide the sedation.

[Bells]

How long have you had your cat? Maybe he broke his jaw before you had him, nothing was done so it healed oddly and you didn’t notice it until recently?

[shiningwizard255]

I’d definitely get it checked closely, at least get a 2nd opinion, and watch it closely if it doesn’t go away. Not to scare you but my cat had a cyst under what I’ll call the “armpit” of his front leg, that I was told by two different vet practices was only a cyst, and not to worry about it and there was no need to have it removed. 5+ years later, the lump changed and it exploded into cancer. My cat was pretty elderly (18) when that happened but still watch the bump closely, better to be safe than sorry.

Good luck to your guy, I hope everything is okay. Jingles for you both.

[AKB]

I would think about it and then talk with your vet about options. If the lump is cancer, will you have it treated? If the lump is an old fracture, is there anything that needs to be done now? Could it be a foreign body, infected tooth, or some infection that was resistant to Clavamox?

I am not a cat person. When we have had strays move into our barn, my rule is that they get basic care only. Vaccines, spay/neuter, routine care, and antibiotics are my usual limits. If this is a house cat, who will cooperate with treatment, you may or may not decide to do more.

[DrBeckett]

Please AKB, don’t get all maudlin on us. (jesting sarcasm)

[Beckham03]

I would at least start with a radiograph to see if it looks boney or any other abnormalities. Maybe put an ultrasound on it. But def get another opinion.

[danacat]

UPDATE

Cancer - Lymphoma + jaundice. Decline was swift (overnight) and heartbreaking. Vet specialist did everything possible and my sweetie did not respond. Vet was shocked to find this disease in such a young cat. And the fact that it spread like wildfire with no other symptoms beforehand (other than the lump) was also baffling. Of course I’m beating myself up with the ‘in hindsight’ syndrome - what did I miss - what more could I have done, etc - but his decline happened so fast and seemingly out of nowhere.

My only solace is that he had a great life during the four months I had him. He was rescued off the streets of NYC. And had he not been found, he would have died a slow death - alone, hungry and unloved.

He also had a best friend - my other young cat - who accepted him immediately. They did everything together. BFF’s !!

Interestingly, my surviving cat is not grieving - as best as I can tell. It was just the two of us before rescue kitty came into our lives, and now it’s just the two of us again. However, I am seriously thinking of adopting another young cat so he can have a friend.

Question: How long would you wait before introducing a new cat?

[Bells]

I am so sorry

[StGermain]

I’m sorry for your loss.

StG

[TC3200]

Oh my, Danacat. I’m so sorry that your cat passed away. I feared the worst when you said lump on the jaw. My mother’s cat was considerably older but her demise happened so fast. Those cancers must be the galloping kind. One day she had a small lump on her lower jaw and in less than a week she was gone. ((hugs))

It’s great that the kitty got off the streets and into a safe and loving home. Since your other cat isn’t upset, I see no reason to delay getting another cat.

[Beckham03]

I’m so sorry!!! It may have been a big lymph node. Doing anything different would not have changed anything. Cancer is mean. I’m glad your kitty got to know the good life.

Go rescue another kitty whenever you are ready.

[Callista17]

Very sorry, and I know- I went through this last year with my 6 year old Clarence.

Clarence was a skittish, hiding cat to begin with, but I thought, “maybe if I dragged him out more often”…But no. It wasn’t fair, I did what I could. Specialist, diagnostics, meds, food, love and all!

RIP kitty & Clarence

[Zevida]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

I don’t think there is any reason to wait to add a new kitty, if you are ready. Sounds like your current cat is pretty adaptable.