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Do you ever see cats with lumps on their bellies?
If so, then you might want to read this article. Cats are very sensitive creatures.
Their bodies are covered in fur, and they don’t have much fat tissue.
It means that if there’s something wrong with their body, it’s usually pretty obvious.
This blog details the causes of lumps on kittens’ bellies and how to treat them.
9 Causes Of Lump On Kitten’s Belly
There are many reasons why a kitty could lump its belly.
Sometimes these lumps are caused by an infection or inflammation.
Other times they’re just a sign of an underlying problem.
1. Ovarian Tumor
It is one of the more common causes of lumps on kittens’ bellies after spaying.
It’s important to note that not all ovarian tumors are malignant, and not all malignant tumors are ovarian.
Ovarian tumors are benign when they’re small.
They grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body.
They become malignant when they get bigger than 1cm or 2cm in diameter.
These tumors can grow into the abdominal cavity and block blood flow through the abdomen if left untreated.
If this occurs, the tumor may rupture, causing internal bleeding.
The chances of this happening increase as the tumor gets larger.
If you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior, like vomiting or weight loss, then it would be best to take him to the vet right away.
2. Uterine Tumors
Uterine tumors are also quite common in female cats.
These tumors can occur anywhere along with the uterus but are most often found near the cervix.
They are usually non-malignant, but sometimes they can be malignant.
Most uterine tumors are discovered during routine checkups.
However, if your cat develops symptoms such as vaginal discharge, unusual urination habits, or abnormal bowel movements, she should go to the vet immediately.
3. Abdominal Masses
Abdominal masses are another common reason for the lump on the kitten’s belly after spay.
Most of the time, these masses are caused by parasites.
These parasites tend to live inside the intestine and can cause inflammation.
Sometimes, however, they can migrate outside of the intestines and form a mass on the skin.
4. Infections
If your kitten lumps its belly, it may be because it is infected.
Infected skin is red and swollen. It also feels hot and painful.
You should take your kitten to the vet as soon as possible if it shows any signs of infection.
The vet will give your kitten antibiotics and help get rid of the disease.
5. Inflammation
Another reason for a lump on your kitten’s belly could be inflammation.
Inflammation is when the tissues around an area become inflamed.
It can happen after surgery or injury. It can also occur naturally.
For example, if your kitten had an operation to remove tumors from their stomach, it could develop inflammation in the area where the tumor was removed.
The symptoms of inflammation include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Fever
Treatment
Your kitten needs treatment for any infections or inflammations.
You’ll need to go back to the vet to determine what type of treatment they recommend.
6. Foreign Object Stuck Under The Skin
A foreign object stuck under the skin is not uncommon.
A piece of string caught in a cat’s hair coat is a common cause.
To prevent this from happening, make sure your kitten wears a collar and leash at all times.
Ensure that the collar fits tightly enough to stop the string from getting caught in the hair.
7. Disease
Some diseases can cause a lump on a cat’s tummy. These include:
Gastrointestinal Disease
Some gastrointestinal disorders can cause a lump to appear on a cat’s belly. Examples include:
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease can cause a lump to develop on a cat’s belly because the cat cannot filter out wastes from the bloodstream.
Liver Disease
A cat with liver disease may exhibit a variety of symptoms.
Liver disease can also cause a lump to form because the liver produces bile acids, which help digest fats.
When the liver becomes diseased, the bile acids build up in the bloodstream.
Cancer
Cancers of the lymph nodes, ovaries, uterus, prostate, testicles, pancreas, thyroid, and skin can all cause lumps to form on a cat’s belly.
It is possible for feline cancerous lumps to be either hard or soft; some can be both hard and soft, and some can gradually turn from soft to hard.
One thing all cancerous lumps in cats have in common is that they spread quickly to other parts of their body.
To test a lump for cancer, your veterinarian will take a sample with a needle.
Hernia
After birth, the umbilical ring does not completely close, which results in an umbilical hernia.
A hernia happens when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall.
When the cat is standing, meowing, crying, or straining, the hernia frequently protrudes from beneath the skin in the form of a soft swelling.
Hernias are classified into two types: inguinal and femoral.
Inguinal hernias are more common than femoral ones.
Inguinal hernias are easy to diagnose and can be treated easily.
Femoral hernias are harder to detect and require surgery to repair.
8. Nutritional Deficiencies
Cats need certain nutrients to stay healthy.
If they do not receive enough nutrients, they might develop a lump on their belly or another part of their body.
Some examples of nutritional deficiencies include:
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A helps keep bones strong and healthy.
If a kitten does not get enough vitamin A, it could develop bone problems.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D helps regulate calcium metabolism.
Without enough vitamin D, a cat’s bones could become weak and brittle.
Iron Deficiency
Iron is needed for normal growth and development.
If a cat has an iron deficiency, it could develop anemia.
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc is vital for the immune system and wound healing.
If a cat lacks zinc, it could develop diarrhea.
9. Medical Issues
Many medical issues can cause a lump to form on a cat’s belly.
Here are some examples:
Heart Problems
Heart problems such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias can lead to fluid retention in the lungs and abdomen.
The extra fluid causes a lump to form on the cat’s belly.
Treatment Options
There are several treatment options for a lump on a cat’s belly.
Treatment depends on the type of lump and what caused it.
Your vet will tell you if it needs any tests before starting treatment.
1. Home Care
Your veterinarian may recommend home care to treat a lump on a cat’s abdomen.
Home care involves keeping the area clean with warm water and soap.
You can use a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to remove hairballs and other debris from around the lump.
Be sure to wash the area thoroughly after cleaning.
2. Medication
Medications help control symptoms associated with a lump on a cat’s belly.
These medications are oral or injectable into the muscle.
Common oral medications include:
- Antibiotics – Antibiotics prevent infections in cats who have had surgery. They can also be used to treat infections that occur in animals that have been exposed to bacteria or viruses.
- Cortisone – Cortisone is sometimes prescribed to reduce swelling and inflammation. It also relieves pain.
Also, malnutrition must be avoided, both by preventing nutrient deficiencies and excesses of nutrients.
The best source of knowledge and advice for determining the ideal nutrient profile for your cat is your veterinarian.
Always consult your veterinarian before taking any supplements.
3. Surgery
If a lump on a cat’s tummy is causing severe discomfort or if it is interfering with its ability to eat or drink, your veterinarian may recommend surgery.
Surgery can be performed to remove the lump or to drain fluids from the abdominal cavity.
4. Prognosis
The prognosis for a lump on a cat’s tummy depends on the underlying condition.
Some conditions are more severe than others.
For example, a lump on a cat’s backside is usually much less dangerous than one on its tummy.
Conclusion
We need to keep our cats healthy and happy and also need to look after them properly to enjoy many years together.
We hope this information helps you understand the causes of lumps on kittens’ bellies and how to deal with them.
Lucy is a real-time contributor to Purrfect n’ Pawesome, along with being a freelance writer to various pet forums and platforms. She started writing professionally in the year 2016. Earlier, she enjoyed her community life as a pet rescue volunteer and offered boarding services to pet owners. Her extensive experience in the pet field is now the basis for her writing at this site.
She loves to collect animal facts from around the globe and then transform them into amazing stories for her readers. For Lucy, the mission is to bring pet love to every home and equip the pet parents with the required useful and authentic information to nurture their pet accordingly.
She lives with her two cats and a shepherd mix, whom she loves the most. Despite her extremely busy life, she spends some time with wildlife and outer space to relax her mind and enhance her observation.
Purrfect n’ Pawesome is a platform that believes in providing our pets with the right kind of nurturing, care and upbringing to assist them in leading a healthy life. Go to our blog section and read out some pawesome and informative articles to ease your parenthood.
