My cat has lumps on its belly, close to a nipple. What can these lumps be?

Lumps that are located on a cat’s abdomen are often mammary (breast) tumours. Mammary tumours are more common in female cats, but can also occur in males.

Unfortunately ca 75-80% of mammary tumours in cats are malignant. Treatment consists of removing the mammary tumours as quickly as possible. Normally the entire mammary strip (all of the glands on the affected side) is removed. The prognosis is worse if the tumour is large (over 2-3cm in diameter) and worsens the longer you wait to surgically remove the tumour. Before surgery is performed it is important to have your cat examined by a vet who checks its lymph nodes, takes blood tests and x-rays its lungs to ensure the cancer has not spread.

Mammary tumours can grow so large that they burst. They can also spread to the lungs, abdominal organs and skeleton. The symptoms depend on how the cancer behaves and develops in the body. If the cancer has spread to the lungs the cat often has difficulty breathing and can die from asphyxiation. Tumours that burst are very painful and can become infected. If the cancer has reached the abdomen the symptoms depend on which organs have been affected. If the decision to not operate has been made, it is important to be aware of the symptoms that can develop and book a time for euthanasia before your cat starts suffering.