[stu]

Hi, my chubby cat Coco (13 years old) has a couple of bumps on each cheek under her fur.

I'm sure it's a clump of dry skin, and when I feel it, it feels like it wants to come out. However, Coco won't let me examine her long enough to get a good look.

I wouldn't want to waste a vet's time if it is only a little patch of dead/dry skin (is that what they call dermatitis?), but part of me thinks I should check it out with the vet.

Can anyone suggest a way of examining her that won't distress her too much?

:?

Thanks.

 

[kittygirl04]

How big are the bumps? Yoda had bumps on her skin--it felt really yucky, but it was from the food she was eating. Apparently she was allergic to the food, because once we switched her food--she was fine. Do you have someone to help you hold her while you look?

 

[Aonir]

If you aren't sure, they vet's always a good choice. I harrassed two of my vets in 12 hours lol. Can't help it, I got worried.

It could be allergies, a sore, a tumor, cancer.. it could be anything! You should get it checked out before you make any conclusions..
I thought I had cancer on my wrist, I was luckily enough for it to only me a cyst. (that ryhmed lol)

 

[stu]

I had a look, and they look like scars.

While I was examining her (bless her, she was really good when I looked yesterday), a little bit of fur came out with some dried blood at one end, almost like a scar/scab.

And last night, her and one of her sisters had a little scuffle under the dining table, so it could just be from where she was scratched.

Perhaps I should leave it a few days and see if the scab comes off? :?

 

[lexxie109]

If that's what it is (scabs) then you could like you said wait a few days, but keep an eye on it. If the cat appears to be in any discomfort or the bumps are changing I suggest contacting your vet, it wouldn't hurt.

 

[Lori]

Stu, is Coco your only cat? I was just reading somewhere how cats will rough house and end up causing lumps and bumps on each other and they just go away with time. I suppose they are just little minor injuries that heal on their own. I was unfamiliar with this since I have only had one cat at a time.
Good luck, hope you figure out what that are!
8)

 

[Aonir]

Does kitty have fleas or wear a collar? My kitten 'hated' his collar and scratched at til he damaged his neck pretty bad. Also, he did the same thing when we got him with icky fleas..!

 

[stu]

I have 3 cats, all sisters and all 13 years old.
One of the three, Jazz, is a bit spiteful at times, and if my wife and I spend time stroking Coco or Gemma, Jazz ALWAYS runs over and tries to get in the way, demanding attention!

Coco and Jazz have had the odd little scuffle, but as we've only had them a month or two, I think they're still finding their feet.

To be honest, I think Coco was made a bit of a fuss off by her previous owners (a big family), as she has the biggest tummy (well fed!) and she is by far the soppiest of the three, but we really try to make Jazz feel as wanted as the other two.

Another point is that when Coco feeds, she paws her food out of her bowl and then eats it. My guess is her chin is sore and it is uncomfortable for her to put her head 'into' the food bowl. We're taking her to the vet today anyway.

 

[Jeanie]

It could be cat acne. Here's a quote from "Carole's Home Page." There are many other links available:

Feline Chin Acne is a disorder that causes the follicles of the chin, and sometimes the lips, to become plugged. Taz has always has little black scabby granules under his chin, which the vet says are pimples. Now he has bald patches and swelling.

It can be caused - or at least aggravated - by an allergy to plastic, so we were told to switch to china, glass, or stainless steel dishes. I also replaced the plastic tray under the food dishes.

Feline acne usually responds to cleansing of the skin twice daily with an ointment or gel. An extensive infection may require antibiotics prescribed by your vet.
________

The sites also suggested washing the dishes after every meal. I assume they mean canned food.

 

[stu]

I took Coco to the vet, and he said the bumps were just scars from the odd scrap between my other cats.
He also said there was evidence of flea firt too, so I got some treatment for that as well.

Hopefully Coco is on the mend now, and thankyou to everyone for their suggestions.

 

[Ariel]

I'm glad your cat is getting better. I'm also very glad I read this because I was just thinking about asking the same question and opening another topic. My cat has the exact same problem. But now I'm sure that It's just cause she's been fighting with another cat we have. Glad you're cat is healing!!

 

[cmaijer]

Bumps

I don't want to be an alarmist, but it could also be little tumors. If I remember correctly from my vet, they are usually benign. My oldest has some bumps, but the vet didn't seem to be too worried by them.