Recently, my daughter has noticed a medium sized lump on Midnight's lower abdomen, approximately between the size of a marble and a ping pong ball. We just finished reading about how cats that are spayed after their first heat (regardless of whether or not kittens were produced), are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with cats spayed before their first heat. After Midnight was spayed (not sure of the exact date, but I believe it was in October/November 2005), we noticed a small lump in the same area that never seemed to go away. After reading about the higher risk of breast cancer in cats that are spayed after their first heat, we checked Midnight again and found that the lump was still there.
Obviously a visit to the vet is in order, but is there anything that we should do/know before we take her?
Do you get the emails from CatAge? I received this one today....
| QUOTE |
Thinking of letting your cat have just one litter of kittens? Sounds like fun. But before you do, consider the health complications your pet may face later on:
• Cats spayed after their first heat (with or without kittens) are at a much higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with cats spayed before their first heat.
• Breast tumors are the third most common form of feline cancer, are malignant 80% of the time, and are often fatal.
• Feline breast cancer often requires a full mastectomy on one or both sides, and tumors come back 65% of the time.
• Lumps found anywhere on your cat's body should immediately be brought to the attention of your vet. |
I've never heard that before - Motley was spayed AFTER her first heat, and Rosie before. I don't like the fact that the article is quoting statistics about how bad it is, although it leaves out a percentage for how much more likely it is if the cat is spayed AFTER the first heat? :confused:
Yup, obviously I'd take her to the vet asap.
But don't get crazy worried, it could just be an oversized cyst. Trixie had one that I found and I was literally sick with worry - but they tested it and it was fine, nothing to worry about at all.
Don't worry until your vet does. ;)
Where exactly is it located? Could be a mammory gland cyst, could be a hernia, etc. Definitely a vet visit is in order.