Cat has a lump on his ribs, please could you advise?

[foxache]

This isn't my cat, but next door's. He lives and eats mostly here but definitely knows where his home is and is loved and cared for.

Last week I thought he'd been injured by a fall - for the afternoon and the evening he was yowling when touched (though would purr) and hid away to sleep. The next morning he was better, eating and jumping up again and over the weekend is back to normal.

Just now, I've noticed a large lump on his ribs. When I explore it and stroke him, it's fine, he keeps purring - he's quite a timid cat and would let me know if he didn't like it. It's just one side and new.

When he was first ill, I told my neighbour and will tell her now about the lump, and definitely suggest the vet. I was wondering if anyone might have experienced this, or know how to treat it?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Sore in that area 7 days ago now has a lump. Most likely explanation is an abscess. ( from the common stuff is really common principle of veterinary medicine).

[foxache]

Thanks Lonecat, I've just googled that and most of the symptoms are identical so maybe it wasn't a fall but a fight. My own cat's been coming home with scratches and I know they've both been defending the catflap lately.

I never would have thought that, so thanks again. I'm going to see if I can find my neighbour.

(this is my first look at this topic, can't believe I've never read it before)

[Sparklingbrook]

Yes, I agree. My old cat got an abcess on her tail from a squirrel bite. Probably needs antibiotics.

[badtemperedaldbitch]

Take it to the vet.... It could have been shot with a pellet gun.

my friends vet found one when he did toby's 'nob job'

The are some evil people.

[lljkk]

Abscess, unless it's very small I would get it looked at too.

[foxache]

Thanks for all the advice, I can't believe someone would shoot a cat with a pellet gun

I've spoken to my neighbour and she's going to have a feel of him. I think though she loves her animals, she has the same old-fashioned view of vets as my parents - unless something is hanging off, then wait and see. As the cat's not in (obvious) pain and is eating, I guess he seems ok so far.

I'm going to find out what to do if the abscess bursts here.

[badtemperedaldbitch]

Toby's pellet had been in there for ages and they thought it was just a lump. It had healed completely over. They wouldn't have thought it was a pellet....until the vet pulled it out......poor Toby xxx

[foxache]

Poor thing, I hope he was ok after. That is an awful thing to do.

The cat next door hasn't been back at all which is very unusual. Am keeping my fingers crossed. I carried him back, he was going anyway, but I gave him a lift. I've never done that before, do you think he thinks I've thrown him out?

[foxache]

Just an update to say thanks and that yes, it was indeed an abscess. How you diagnosed that from what I posted, I don't know.

The cat eventually came back a day and a half later, I think he was kept in. He ate loads, the lump was still the same. It has now burst (on my bed ) and after googling, he and I are washing it, with cat tongue and warm water, and will keep an eye on it.

Thanks all

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Classic, classic abscess symptoms - If you hear hoof beats think horses.

[lljkk]

No, think Tesco burgers!!

(arararh)

My cats when I was a kid used to get abscesses quite a lot, other furries are prone to them, too. Not unusual. Are you sure it doesn't need antibiotics? I'm all for skipping them if not strictly necessary, still...

[foxache]

I'm still amazed! I've had cats since I was little and have only experienced an abscess once, a small one which I Savloned. I'll just use water from now on.

This cat isn't ours, the owner is aware, but I doubt will take him to the vet, especially as he seems well, so I'll keep an eye.

Thanks for the guidance here, I'll keep reading this topic now I've found it

[lljkk]

Lots of advice here and elsewhere online. Hope it goes well!

[gobbin]

For fuck's sake, you are just like my neighbour. Have you ANY idea how annoying it is for someone else to allow a cat into their house, sleep in their house, get fed by them, get 'told' when something's wrong with THEIR OWN BLOODY CAT?!!

The only way (in the end) I could stop my neighbour from feeding my old cat was to tell them that he was borderline diabetic and they had to stop NOW or they may unwittingly hasten his death. I also had to tell them to stop feeding him shit like GoCat as his wee was bloody at one point!!

I had to insist that, if he was in their house at all, they had to put him out by 10pm so we could call him in - they are retired so stay up later than us. We'd be on the bloody doorstep at 11.30 still wondering where he was. Sometimes they just let him sleep on their bed! Our effing animal!

We had absolutely no issue with him visiting and sharing the love. All other responsibilities however were ours, but they just didn't get it.

It was especially galling when, one Saturday yrs ago, he'd been kept in their house overnight and we had a phonecall saying 'We fed him this morning but he seems to be having difficulty eating'. Ohhhh yes. Why didn't YOU take him to the emergency vet for the abcessed teeth extraction costing £217 then? No? Thought not. And anyway, why was in your house being fed by you when you know we like him in at night?

Thank God that puss is dead and none of our new ones have 'found' next door yet!! Back off, lady!