Sharp bony lump under cat's chest

[jennakong]

One of my cats (4yo spayed female, a bit ferally) is not exactly what you'd call a lap cat, so I'm not sure how long she has had this problem, but yesterday when I lifted her down from the kitchen worktop, I felt quite a sharp bony bit protruding from her ribcage, on the underside of her body. She doesn't like being handled anyway, so it was a bit of a 'meoooow' and struggle away, so no way of telling whether it was pain or just her usual mardiness.

She is eating fine, and jumping (obviously) even leaping in and out of windows when she's got the chance (which is how the injury might have happened, if it is a bone injury), and spending a lot of time outdoors, last night she wouldn't come down off the shed roof - she doesn't seem in obvious discomfort and it's not inhibiting her movements anyway. Will try to get her to the vet early next week but just wondering if anyone else had experienced this with a cat, and what it turned out to be.

My guess is it's her actual ribcage you're feeling. They do have bits that jut out, often the last ribcage feels very bony (I'm a vet nurse). You might just have lifted her slightly lower down than normal.
I would take her along for a check up anyway just to be sure but try not to worry if she seems well in herself.
Ps. I can't get my cat in at night at the moment as there's too many flying beasties to play with!

One of my cats has a prominent sternum bone and it sounds like you've described similar with your cat.

Thank you. Is this something that just develops over time? As I say, not a cat that ever liked to be lifted, but I definitely don't remember it before.

i think you're feeling the front of ribcage. one of my cats has a very pointy bit there

With my cat, the 'sticking out' sternum has always been there.

Getting your cat checked out with the vet will be a good call.