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AIBU?

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Original poster

If I don't take my cat to the vets yet?

66 replies

Catmummyworried · 31/03/2022 21:28

She's 16 years old. We've had her since a kitten. Was diagnosed with thyroid problems about 5 years ago. Now on lifelong medication for that.
Separate issue is yesterday an almost golf ball sized type hard lump literally appeared overnight on her lower neck/chest area.
She hates travelling, soils herself and vomits after minutes in the car. She's elderly and frail. The lump does not appear to hurt her. She is acting completely normally. Doesn't mind me prodding it, eating usual amounts etc.
But of course I'm worried and wondering what it is. It hasn't changed in size in 48hrs. I've even shaved her fur and bathed to get a better look. Nothing obvious.
What will the vet do? If it's serious I won't put her through an op. If it's an abscess will it get better on it's own and surely there would be a wound too?
I'm torn over putting her through the trauma of a vet visit then they say biopsy etc needed. I'm thinking best thing is to watch and wait. Normally if she's upset in anyway she goes off her food I'm and she hasn't done that. She's fully insured so money not the issue it's the stress for her.

OP posts:
fairylightsandwaxmelts · 31/03/2022 21:32

I would ring the vet and ask if you can send a photo over - explain how upset she gets and see what they say.

I couldn't just do nothing.

Skydreams · 31/03/2022 21:34

Could the vet do a home visit?

At the very least you should call the vets and perhaps see if you can send photos of the lump. If the lump starts to break down it could cause terrible pain or be life threatening (I had this with a lump in my dog which turned out to be a tumour that started to break down inside his body) so she does need to be seen somehow.

Hope she will be ok.

lonelylou09 · 31/03/2022 21:39

Is this seriously a question? Take the poor thing to the vet ffs

tealandteal · 31/03/2022 21:40

Do a phone or video consultation with the vet first and see whether they think it is worth bringing her in.

inacloud · 31/03/2022 21:42

Phone the vet and see what they say, you might be able to send a photo or they can come out. Whatever, you can't just do nothing.

mowly77 · 31/03/2022 21:43

I know it’s horrible but she needs to go to the vet. It could be a tumour. Cats are good at hiding pain. It may seem like it’s causing her no trouble now but it needs to be looked at no matter what.

ididntevennotice · 31/03/2022 21:44

I'm thinking best thing is to watch and wait.

What do you think will happen?

Oinkypig · 31/03/2022 21:45

If your cat is happy and doesn’t seem in pain phone the vet for advice.

Ignore pp don’t distress your cat to take her to the vet when she is happy, there is nothing to be gained. Either you’ll elect for no treatment or treatment that will definitely cause her stress. You sound a lovely owner and I’m sure won’t leave her in pain if you were worried at all.

Xoxo

lonelylou09 · 31/03/2022 21:56

@Oinkypig such a good owner and so worried she doesnt want to stress her cat out ( clean up after it) to get it checked out by someone who is qualified to know what the golf ball size lump that appeared overnight actually is?
If you woke up in the morning with a beach ball size lump magically appeared on your neck/chest wwyd? Wait and see what happens or get proper qualified medical attention and advice?
Some people really shouldnt have animals.
You have a duty of care towards your cat as it cant speak or get help for itself... Take it the vet please.

santapaws12 · 31/03/2022 21:57

Hmm, if she isn't in pain yanbu. She is 16, an age where kindness is best. If you can get to vet to call at home that would be the best option of all.

Unforgettablefire · 31/03/2022 21:57

I would do as others have suggested and either video call or ask the vet to come out. The only problem is they might insist on tests, and I know how you feel you just don’t want to put them under that kind of stress at that age it’s just as stressful for you. Hopefully your vet is understanding given her age and stress levels.

lisaandalan · 31/03/2022 21:59

I'd take her you don't want her to be pain she might need pain relief or antibiotics or something. X

Unforgettablefire · 31/03/2022 22:07

[quote lonelylou09]@Oinkypig such a good owner and so worried she doesnt want to stress her cat out ( clean up after it) to get it checked out by someone who is qualified to know what the golf ball size lump that appeared overnight actually is?
If you woke up in the morning with a beach ball size lump magically appeared on your neck/chest wwyd? Wait and see what happens or get proper qualified medical attention and advice?
Some people really shouldnt have animals.
You have a duty of care towards your cat as it cant speak or get help for itself... Take it the vet please.[/quote]
That’s just plain nasty it’s not about cleaning up after the cat it’s putting her under the trauma that would make her vomit the op is worried about.
The cat is 16 years old, the op is asking for advice because she loves her she doesn’t need to hear she shouldn’t have animals. Bloody hell have a heart! Hmm

RedHerring24 · 31/03/2022 22:09

Take her to the vet.
A vet cant diagnose over the phone or via video call when it comes to lumps. Many still arent doing home visits, and even if they are, they cant do alot for lumps at your house.
It needs to be felt, examined and maybe have a needle put into them to see whats inside.
If it came up very suddenly chances are it could be an abscess which can be very easily treated.
If its been there ages or has been growing slowly then chances are its something that needs surgical removal.
Either way a bit of a rough car journey will get the issue looked at and youll have piece of mind and a plan of action to follow.

OnTheBoardwalk · 31/03/2022 22:10

A lump that size growing so fast is worrying and could cause breathing issues

Most vets have an emergency number, call them for an over the phone triage

Nomoreusernames1244 · 31/03/2022 22:14

Do vets even do home visits any more? I often think it should still be a thing, for cases like this and especially for euthanasia.

I agree with a phone call first and a quick discussion. Likely they’ll say bring her in anyway though.

Arucanafeather · 31/03/2022 22:14

Cats hid pain. You can’t say for sure that she isn’t in significant pain without a check up with a vet. Nature can be cruel but rarely does it give animals a long protracted death and I really feel humans need to take responsibility for that aspect of keeping animals as pets. It’s unlikely pets measure time like we do and a good life is the best life for them not a longer life with a long protracted death. It is perfect possible that whatever is going on with your cat is treatable, and I truly hope that is the case. Not getting your cat checked out to see if treatment is necessary is abuse and animal cruelty.

OnTheBoardwalk · 31/03/2022 22:14

They won’t be able to diagnose over the phone but they will be able to triage

ronjobbins · 31/03/2022 22:17

Get a bloody grip and contact the vet, poor cat.

Frazzled2207 · 31/03/2022 22:17

Def call the vet.
I’d be surprised if a tumour got much bigger over night. Could be an abscess-
Not a cat but I had an abscess removed recently, it absolutely won’t get better by itself however draining them is relatively straightforward.

Arucanafeather · 31/03/2022 22:18

Some practices do home visits but it is becoming increasingly rare - as it often isn’t in the best interests of the pet, as the facilities aren’t the same, the environment is harder to control and you have to guess what mediation and equipment you need to take with you & don’t have access to secondary options that may be required (for example, with Euthanasia if the animal’s veins have collapsed and can’t be accessed) There is an increased risk of it not being the experience the owners would hope for at home, especially as the priority has to be the pet’s welfare not the owners experience.

Wolfiefan · 31/03/2022 22:20

Definitely contact the vet. You don’t know for sure the cat isn’t in pain. They hide it so well.

lonelylou09 · 31/03/2022 22:24

@Unforgettablefire not being nasty - the fact that an already elderly sick cat has suddenly developed such a huge lump on an area associated with breathing is more concerning than stressing the cat by getting it medical help. Shes already left it 2 days and is obviously concerned enough to expect everyone on here to tell her shes doing the riggt thing hoping the lump will disappear.
We are not vets.. We do not know if its harmless or life threatening so who are we to say..
Just because the cat seems to be ok does not mean it is
I do have a very big heart.. But its for animals who need help as they have stupid owners who think we are more qualified to give her advice on her cat than an actual vet!

Alfixnm · 31/03/2022 22:25

Cats hide pain well. If it's an abscess or cyst of some sort it will be fairly straight forward to drain, but will be painful if not treated.

Lumps like that can't be diagnosed via a picture/video call, and there's not a lot your vet can do treatment wise in the setting of your house. It's a trip to the clinic for this one for sure.

OatmilkandCookies · 31/03/2022 22:28

Dogs and cats tend to hide their pain very well, so when they do show signs, it has normally got to severe levels. I know its tough but even call and see if they can visit/do a video call consult

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