Every pet parent is familiar with the alarm of discovering a sudden change in their pet. It can be very scary to find a growth in their body, and our brains immediately jump to cancer since that’s a fairly common reason for new lumps. However, there can be several reasons that a cat can have a lump on it’s back near the spine, many of which are benign. You still want to get your cat checked out by a veterinarian because some conditions can have terrible consequences if you don’t deal with them quickly.
The 5 Causes Why Your Cat Has a Lump on Their Back Near the Spine
1. Cancerous or Non-cancerous Growth
Unfortunately, cancer is one of the most common diagnoses when your cat lumps on their back, especially if the lump is hard. However, cancer isn’t always the end. Your cat may have a positive prognosis depending on the type of cancer and how far it progressed before it was discovered.
Interestingly, 85% of cats with spinal lymphoma test positive for feline leukemia. The FeLV vaccine is designed to protect your cat against feline leukemia, and most veterinarians recommend it. Even so, the FeLV vaccine isn’t 100% effective.
Cats can also get lipomas, fatty growths near the spine or elsewhere in the body. They don’t require treatment and are unconcerning.
2. Spondylosis Deformans
Some cats develop bony growths. Spondylosis Deformans is benign and won’t cause permanent harm to your cat, but it might cause back pain.
3. Infection (Abscess)
A lump may form on an injury that hasn’t been treated properly. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics depending on the type of infection. Any injury should be treated as soon as possible to prevent infection, especially near the spinal cord since it’s closely connected to the brain.
4. Injury
Your cat could have a lump on their back due to an injury, such as falling or being hit by a car. If you have an older cat, you might need to evaluate their living space to eliminate the possibility of them jumping to dangerous heights and injuring themselves, such as an inviting bookshelf leading to the precarious peak of a cabinet.
5. Congenital Disorders
Although somewhat rare, there are a range of genetic disorders that your cat may have been born with that can cause spinal issues. Signs of a congenital disorder generally appear when your cat is around 2 years old but will require a diagnosis by a veterinarian.
When Should You Take Your Cat to the Vet for a Lump Near Their Spine
While you don’t know if the lump is life-threatening, you should always take your cat to the vet when you discover any issues or lumps near their spinal cord. The central nervous system is crucial to your cat’s health, and an early diagnosis lends to a more hopeful prognosis.
When you visit your vet, take all of your cat’s medical records and tell them about any other unusual symptoms your cat may have been experiencing, including other mobility issues. Your veterinarian will likely conduct extensive diagnostic testing, such as running blood tests and scans, to rule out cancer and other serious diseases.
Conclusion
If your cat has a lump on their back near the spine it may be caused by anything from an injury to a life-threatening illness. You should always take your cat to the vet to be evaluated as quickly as possible. The sooner they reach a diagnosis, the sooner you can put your cat on the road to recovery, or at least make them comfortable for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, cancer and FIP are common diagnoses, but there’s also a chance that your cat is having mobility issues due to an intervertebral disk disease or injury. Acting quickly can preserve their ability to walk and enjoy a greater quality of life.
See also:
- Hard Lump on Cat’s Lower Jaw: Causes & Care
- Short Spine Syndrome in Cats: Vet-Reviewed Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment
Featured Image Credit: Maria Sbytova, Shutterstock
4 Responses
my cat has a hard lump on his right shoulder blade and it has been cut-off twice but keeps growing back
Hi Tracey, thanks for sharing your experience. What did your vet diagnose?
hi i think my cat fell from windows ledge inside house he fell down back of tv he now has a lump at base of his tail he's not a lively still eating n drinking his water there was a small bit of blood we washed it and put salon on it he's not crying as if he's not in pain
Hi Ann. It is very worrying when your cat has an accident and develops a new lump, especially if he is less lively than usual. Any fall, even if it seems minor, can result in injuries that are not immediately obvious.
The lump at the base of his tail, the small amount of blood, and the change in his energy level are signs that he needs immediate veterinary attention. A veterinarian needs to examine the lump to determine if it is a bruise, an abscess, or an injury to the tail or spine.