My Cat has got a Lump under his Left Leg the size of a Golf Ball

by Christine
(Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

My cat problems started after my cat went missing for 2 days. He was fine but when he came back he had a swollen left leg. The swelling on his leg has gone down but a lump has developed under his left leg and his behaviour has changed.

He is not intrested in playing and he just wants to be left alone. When he goes out he seems to be nervous and on edge.

He doesent seem to be like the same cat and he is only 1 year old. He is a black and white tom.

Before this lump came he was out and about all the time and very friendly and lively. But now he is just not intrested in anything.

Please can you help. Im worried.


Reply from Liz (Editor): It sounds like he's been injured in some way when he was out. He could have been bitten by another animal, stung, fallen awkwardly or had a puncture wound to his leg from a sharp object. He may even have something still stuck in his leg - e.g. a wood splinter. You wouldn't necessarily see this because it could be hidden by his fur. The lump could be an abscess, an infection or tissue damage. Any of these could sap his energy and make him lose interest in the way you describe.

My advice would be to get him checked over by a vet as soon as you can - with these sorts of cat problems, generally the longer they're left, the worse they get and the harder they become to treat.

His nervousness when he goes out could be due to whatever unpleasant experience he had when he was missing for 2 days, and it will take him a bit of time to get his confidence back. Maybe if you go out with him, that will help to reassure him - e.g. just sitting outside with him when he's in the garden.

Thank you for your question. I hope he gets better soon.