My kitten has lumps on her belly, what could it be?

It’s that time of year for knots in our stomachs; I’m sure there will be more to come 😉 You’ve put my mind at rest about the tick, I don't feel quite so daft now! I’m the same, I usually dash straight to the vet, but over time there are things I try to handle myself. Mind you, after 13 cats and 3 dogs, you definitely pick up a thing or two. I’ve also got my own little pet first aid kit with all the essentials.

Liza, I thought the same thing, but I’m not teasing because I’ve done some pretty daft things too, and she wasn't even my first cat. The little Persian I have now had a high fever one day; I panicked and took her straight to the vet because she really didn't look right at all. You should have seen the look on his face and that little smirk... she was actually just teething! I felt like such a fool! Now, whenever I go to see him, he has a bit of a chuckle. He’s my holiday vet, so he rarely sees me, but when he does, he expects just about anything! To make me feel less guilty, he always says, "Better safe than sorry..." 😳 And another time, I freaked out when I felt a nipple on one of my cats – I was convinced it was a tick! So... yeah. Luckily, I caught myself in time 😁 But Ulalie, you were right to take her to the vet for a high fever! From 39°C, if it keeps rising, a cat can die. So, it’s great it was only teething, but it’s nothing to laugh about. As for the tick/nipple thing, it still happens to me, but I make sure to have a proper look now... 👌 When in doubt, I’ve always seen a vet, and over the years, I’ve gained a bit of experience in treating certain things to avoid a visit – bite abscesses, for example. I keep a few emergency supplies in stock now (Betadine, antiseptic cream, and Doxycycline, among others). I wasn't making fun of the "newbie", but you have to admit, two posts about "lumps on the belly" in one week is enough to give anyone the jitters. 😁 Liza

Hi, are these mammary lumps or a big swelling under the nipples? Also, is it a male or a female?

Liza, I thought the exact same thing, but I’m not judging because I’ve had my fair share of "oops" moments too—and it's not even like she's my first cat! My current little Persian had a really high temperature one day; I panicked and rushed her straight to the vet because she just seemed so poorly. You should have seen the look on the vet's face and his little smirk... turns out she was just teething! I was so mortified! Nowadays, whenever I see him, he has a bit of a chuckle. He’s my "holiday vet," so he doesn't see me often, but when he does, he’s prepared for just about anything! To stop me feeling so guilty, though, he always tells me, "better safe than sorry..." 😳 Another time, I completely freaked out when I felt one of my cat’s nipples—I was convinced it was a tick! So, yeah... at least I realised what it was just in time! 😁

Hi, four days ago I noticed a lump on my kitten’s belly (she’s 6 months old). I called the vet straight away and they told me that if it changed or seemed to be hurting her, I should call back in a week (given that we’re in lockdown). Today, she has several lumps all over her belly and they’ve got bigger, but they don't seem to be painful for her. So I called the vet back and spoke to the out-of-hours vet who told me it might be due to her (first) season. But he didn’t really know... anyway, I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more (hopefully to put my mind at rest...) before I head to the vet tomorrow morning. Thanks in advance for your replies. Hi Jos, Here’s something to reassure you: https://wamiz.com/chats/forum/mon-chat-a-des-boules-au-niveau-du-ventre-97875.html And as you’ve been told, there’s no need to let her have a litter before she's spayed. However, the lumps you’ve spotted could very well mean your cat is pregnant, if she’s been going outside at all. Liza

The earlier you get her spayed, particularly before her first season, the lower the risk of her developing mammary tumours. That old myth about female cats needing to have a litter is completely false; I’ve had three girls who never had kittens, and they are incredibly affectionate. It also stops her offspring from having even more kittens... which then just end up in the RSPCA or on the streets. A neutered cat is much more cuddly, and they'll be all the healthier for it.

Hi, and just to add to what Blue Cat said, it’ll also prevent mammary tumours in adulthood. But your vet will explain all that to you in great detail 👌👌 Yeah, I’d heard about that too, but you hear so many different things that it’s hard to tell what’s true and what’s not 😅