In this article on our site we are going to explain the different causes of lumps on a cat's neck We will discover the role of the lymph nodes lymph nodes as part of the immune system and we will learn to identify lumps that will require a veterinary consultation, as they may be caused by an infection or be a tumor. Therefore, regardless of whether the ball on the neck is painful or not, we must contact the veterinarian.
If you're wondering why your cat has a lump on his neck, soft or hard, read on to find out the main reasons and go to the specialist.
My cat has a lump under his jaw
The first thing to take into account when explaining why a cat has a lump on its neck is the existence of the submandibular lymph nodesThese ganglia are part of the immune system and their function, therefore, is to defend the body. If we notice that our cat has a lump in the neck, it may be an inflammation of these nodes due to the course of some pathological process.
If the cat's immune system manages to control it, no further symptoms will appear or they will be mild, such as slight discomfort or a slight fever. Other times the body cannot stop the pathogens and the disease develops, in which case we will need to help the cat with the treatment that, after diagnosis, the veterinarian prescribes. An increase in the size of the nodes can be present in multiple diseases, hence the importance of diagnosis.
Subcutaneous lumps in cats
Any subcutaneous lump, that is, under the skin, that is not a ganglion can have different origins and should be checked immediately by the veterinarian if we want to know why the cat has a lump in the neck.
In general, a hard lump on the cat's neck may be a cyst or a a tumour By taking a sample from its interior, the veterinarian can discover its nature and, if it is a cancer, whether it is benign or malignant. It is important to keep in mind that if the cat has a lump in its throat, just as we see it growing on the outside, it may be growing inwards, which would endanger its life by interrupting the flow of oxygen.
On the other hand, a soft lump on the cat's neck could be an abscess, that is, a collection of pus in a cavity under the skin. These balls are usually produced after the bite of another animal, so it is easier for them to appear in entire cats with access to the outside that are going to fight for territory and females. Animals have multiple bacteria in their mouths that, when biting, remain in the wound. The cat's skin closes very easily but, inside, the bacteria that remain can cause a subcutaneous infection that is the cause of the abscess. Check this other article with all the information about "Abscesses in cats".
Treatment of tumors is based on diagnosing what type they are and finding out whether or not there is metastasis, that is, if the primary tumor has migrated through the body and is affecting other areas. You can opt for surgery to remove it, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on each particular case. On the other hand, abscesses need antibiotics, disinfection and, in the most complicated ones, the placement of a drain until they close.
Ball in the cat's neck as a reaction to a vaccine
We have seen the most probable causes that explain why a cat has a lump on the neck but also as secondary reaction to a vaccine, especially feline leukemia, could develop a type of tumor called fibrosarcoma Although it is usual to prick the area of the withers, with an injection placed higher we could find a small nodule in the neck associated with inflammation. This should go away in about 3-4 weeks, but if it doesn't, chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosarcoma.
Surgery to remove it can be complicated because it is a very invasive tumor. For this reason, some professionals recommend applying vaccines associated with fibrosarcoma in the extremities, since in this way they can be amputated in the event of a tumor.
We should also know that in the inoculation area of any injection, inflammation and even an abscess may occur as an adverse reaction.
Ball in the cat's neck by the thyroid gland
Finally, another explanation for why our cat has a lump in the neck may be due to an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck and can sometimes be palpated. This increase in its volume is usually due to a benign tumor and results in the secretion of excess thyroid hormones, which will produce hyperthyroidism, which will affect the whole organism.
The affected cat will present symptoms such as hyperactivity, increased hunger and thirst but weight loss, vomiting, poor coat condition and other quite non-specific symptoms. It can be detected by a hormone analysis and is treated with medication, surgery or radioactive iodine You will find all the information about this condition in the following article: "Hyperthyroidism in cats - Symptoms and treatments".
My cat has a lump on his face
Finally, once we have exposed the most common causes that explain why a cat has a lump on its neck, we will see why lumps can also appear on the face. And it is that a cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, can produce nodular lesions, as well as a less frequent disease, cryptococcosis
Both require veterinary treatment. Cryptococcosis with antifungal medication, as it is a disease caused by a fungus, and the carcinoma can be operated on. It is very important, as we can see, to go quickly to the vet to start treatment early to avoid complications.
