Lipomas are benign tumors that often develop in cats. Today our Windsor vets break down what pet owners should know about these mostly benign fatty tumors.
Cat Lipoma vs Cat Lymphoma
Cats develop a benign skin tumor called lipoma relatively often. The tumor is formed by the accumulation of fat cells. Some cats never have one, and others can be very lumpy because of multiple lipomas. It's important to remember Lipomas and Lymphomas are very different, the latter are malignant and likely an indicator your cat requires urgent oncological treatment for cancer.
What a Cat's Lipoma Looks and Feels Like
Simply put, a lipoma is a mass under the skin. You might notice the lipoma because it is liable to cause your pet's fur to stick up funny. You also might run into the lump when you are petting your cat. Lipomas are usually soft and easily movable.
When You Should Get Your Cat's Lipoma Removed
It's a natural reaction to be worried at the discovery of a lump on your feline friend, and it's best practice to consult your veterinarian right away to ensure it is benign. In most cases, if the lump is a lipoma, there is no need to get it removed. If a lipoma comes to eventually be so large it interferes with your cat's locomotion, only then will it be operated on.
Will a Cat's lipoma ever be malignant?
Lipomas are generally non-malignant, but there is a rare condition where they can become malignant called liposarcoma. Cats diagnosed with liposarcoma have a good prognosis most of the time but will require relatively major surgery to remove the tumor before it can spread too far and cause serious, irreparable harm