Have you ever noticed a lump in the cat’s neck? In this peritoAnimal article, we will explain the causes of the appearance of nodules on a cat’s neck. We will discover the role of lymph nodes in the immune system and learn how to identify nodules that will require veterinary consultation, as they can be caused by an infection or be a tumor. Therefore, whether the bullet in the neck is painful or not, we should contact the veterinarian.
If you’re wondering why your cat has a swollen neck, soft or hard, read on for the main reasons and see your specialist.
- The first thing to consider to explain a lump in the cat’s neck is the existence of submaxillary lymph nodes.
- These lymph nodes are part of the immune system and therefore their function is the defense of the organism.
- If we notice that our cat has a lump in the neck.
- It may be an inflammation of these nodes due to a pathological process.
If the cat’s immune system is able to control it, symptoms will no longer appear or will be mild, such as a brief discomfort or a little fever. At other times, the body cannot stop the pathogens and the disease develops, in which case we will have to help the cat with the treatment that, after diagnosis, will give us the veterinarian. An increase in the size of the lymph nodes may be present in several diseases, hence the importance of diagnosis.
Any subskine nodule, that is, under the skin, other than a lymph node, may have different origins and should be analyzed immediately by the veterinarian, if we want to know why the cat has a bullet in the neck.
In general, a hard lump in the cat’s neck may be a cyst or tumor. Taking a sample from the inside, the veterinarian can find out what its nature is and, if it is cancer, whether it is benign or malignant. It is important to note that if the cat has a bullet in its throat, as we have seen it grow on the outside, it can develop inside, which would put its life at risk by disrupting oxygen flow.
In turn, a soft lump in the cat’s neck may be an abscess, which is a buildup of pus in a cavity under the skin. These balls usually occur after the bite of another animal, making it easier for them to appear in whole cats with access to the outside that compete for territory and females. Animals have several bacteria in their mouths that, when bitten, remain in the wound. The cat’s skin closes very easily, but inside, the remaining bacteria can cause a subcutaneous infection that causes abscess. Check out this other article with all the information on “Abcs in the Cat”.
The treatment of tumors is based on the diagnosis of its type and the verification of the presence of metastasis, that is, if the primary tumor has migrated through the body and affects other areas. Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy may be used to remove it, depending on each case. On the other hand, abscesses require antibiotics, disinfection and, in the most complicated cases, the installation of a drain until closure.
We have seen the most likely causes that explain a lump in the cat’s neck, but also, as a secondary reaction to a vaccine, especially feline leukemia, a type of tumor called fibrosarcoma could develop. Although it is usual to puncture the area of the cross, with an injection placed higher, a small lump can be found in the neck associated with inflammation. This should go away in about 3-4 weeks, but otherwise chronic inflammation can cause fibrosarcoma.
Surgery to remove it can be complicated as it is a very invasive tumor. For this reason, some professionals recommend the application of fibrosarcoma-associated vaccines at the member level, as they can be amputated in the case of a tumor.
It should also be noted that in the field of inoculation of any injection, inflammation and even an abscess may occur as an adverse reaction.
Finally, another explanation of why our cat has a lump in the neck may be an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck and is sometimes possible to feel. This increase in volume usually occurs due to a benign tumor and results in the secretion of an excess of thyroid hormones, which will produce hyperthyroidism, which will reverberate throughout the body.
The affected cat will develop symptoms such as hyperactivity, increased hunger and thirst, but weight loss, vomiting, poor fur and other nonspecific symptoms. It can be detected by hormonal testing and treated with medication, surgery or radioactive iodine.
Finally, once the most common causes that explain why a cat has a lump in its neck are exposed, we will see why lumps may also appear on the face. And cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, can cause nodular lesions, in addition to a less common disease, cryptococcosis.
Both require veterinary treatment. Cryptococcosis with an antifungal drug, as it is a disease caused by a fungus and a carcinoma can be operated on. It is very important to go quickly to the veterinarian to start treatment early, avoiding complications.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
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