A lump on a cat’s ear – should I worry?

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If a cat has a lump behind the ear, the first question the veterinarian asks the owner is whether the pet is walking outside. Because in most cases, tumors on the head appear due to injuries received in fights.

The peak of “incidence” occurs at the beginning of spring, when males stage desperate battles for cats. However, there are other reasons for lumps behind the ear. Let's look at the most common ones.

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Hematoma

Hematoma on the inner surface of the ear
A hematoma is a cavity filled with blood. The auricle is devoid of fatty tissue and poor in muscle, so the contents of damaged vessels lead to the formation of a cavity between the cartilage and the skin.

There are combat hematomas, which pets get during fights, and pathological ones, caused by a blood clotting disorder. Predisposing factors are old age and accompanying chronic illnesses. Another reason is systemic hematopoietic diseases. In this case, hematomas occur as a result of scratching due to itching due to flea bites, diabetes, and allergic reactions. Fragile vessels are destroyed when scratched, and blood flows under the skin.

The skin at the site of the formed lump is first red and hot, then darkens and cools. If the pathological cavity is small and does not cause inconvenience, it slowly resolves. When the swollen ear droops, the head tilts towards the damaged shell. The animal tries to scratch the bump and shakes its head.

The diagnosis is made by clinical examination. If there is a suspicion of the secondary nature of the pathological condition, a biochemical blood test is performed. If an underlying disease is detected, it is treated. Conservative treatment of the hematoma itself is ineffective. Surgical treatment consists of opening the cavity, removing the contents and sanitizing with antiseptic solutions.

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The operation is performed under general anesthesia. To prevent the formation of rough scars, a method with a hemostatic sponge is used. While the wound is healing, an Elizabethan collar is put on the pet.

Description of possible causes

In most cases, the appearance of a lump on a cat's ear is associated with allergies. Or rather, with one of its varieties. These may be eosinophilic granulomas, flea dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. The allergy is often complicated by a bacterial infection, which is also characterized by swollen skin.

As for neoplasms, they are difficult to confuse with lichen or allergies due to their specific appearance and characteristic symptoms. Depending on the location of the lump, your veterinarian will consider the following possible options.

Abscess

It can even form due to a small scratch that has become infected with a bacterial infection. But most often the reason lies in inflammation of the hair follicle or a foreign body getting under the skin.

It is particularly painful. Therefore, if a lump appears on a cat’s ear that looks like a large pimple, then there is a high probability that it is an abscess. It can break through on its own, then a weeping wound will appear in its place. It must be treated with an antiseptic solution and bandages with levomekol applied. If the abscess does not break through for a long time, then the situation will be resolved by a surgeon who, using special instruments, will open it and pump out the pus.

In some cases, large abscesses can “drive” the temperature, and the skin around the abscess will always be hot and inflamed.

Eosinophilic granuloma

An autoimmune disease that domestic veterinarians associate with allergies. Lesions can appear on different parts of the body - muzzle, limbs, torso (less often).

If a pink lump the size of a hazelnut appears on your cat's ear, it may well be an eosinophilic granuloma. And if on the mucous membrane it appears in the form of ulcers, then on the skin it most often looks like a hard red or pink seal.

An external examination by a qualified veterinarian is sufficient to make a diagnosis. He should also warn that there are many cases where eosinophilic granulomas went away on their own without any treatment. This option is considered for single lesions that are not accompanied by severe itching and discomfort.

In case of multiple lesions, changing the brand of food and eliminating the use of toys and plastic utensils can help. Prednisolone, dexafort and antihistamines are also successfully used. In cats, eosinophilic granulomas may be associated with sexual activity. In many cases, castration completely solved this problem.

Bites

Various insects and parasites, depending on the animal’s lifestyle. Outdoor pets may be allergic to the bites of mosquitoes, ants and gadflies.

Individuals who do not go outside most often suffer from bites from stinging insects (wasps, bees) and flies. A dense red lump forms at the site of the bite, which may itch and be accompanied by pain. The most common sites of localization of lesions are the ear, nose, lip, limbs and, most rarely, the torso.

In most cases, the reaction and thickening go away on their own within a few hours. But, decorative breeds may have complications in the form of large swelling and redness of large areas of the skin. Therefore, they are advised to take antihistamines immediately after the bite.

In cases with wasps, it is necessary to carefully examine the bite site for the presence of a sting, which must be removed.

Neoplasms

It has a different nature of origin. In an old cat, a lump on the ear may well be a malignant tumor that needs to be removed as quickly as possible. In young individuals, the option of papillomas and granulomas is considered.

To make a diagnosis, a biopsy is taken from the formation and a histological examination of the taken materials is performed. Based on the results obtained, the most effective treatment is selected.

Granuloma and papilloma, if they do not interfere with the animal, do not need to be removed. They are monitored throughout the pet’s life and only when alarming signs appear (bleeding, rapid increase in size) are they surgically excised.

With malignant tumors, everything is a little more complicated, since depending on the stage of formation, radiation, chemotherapy and surgical excision involving healthy tissue are used. But, almost always, the entire ear is completely removed to eliminate the possibility of relapse. With timely detection and adequate treatment, the prognosis is favorable.

Abscess

The cause of suppuration is dirt brought in by an opponent during a fight due to weakened immunity. Most often, the lump forms behind the ear or directly under it, where the soft tissue is located.

In most cases, the abscess breaks out on its own, the pus flows out and a scar forms. The wound can be treated with an antiseptic wound-healing spray, but not with iodine tincture or brilliant green solution, which burn. If the cat is lethargic, refuses to eat, the abscess does not break out, or increases in size, seek veterinary help.

Reasons for the formation of papillomas

It is believed that papillomatosis is caused by DNA-containing non-enveloped viruses of the Papillomaviridae family; 8 different subspecies have been found in cats. Under the influence of the pathogen, epithelial cells mutate and begin to multiply uncontrollably, forming warty benign tumors in the form of small round growths with a flattened top. Papilloma may have a thin stalk or a dense base adjacent to the body. As warts grow, they form cluster-shaped colonies similar to cauliflower inflorescences.

Although the DNA of all types of Papillomaviridae viruses is similar, the causative agent of feline papilloma is not dangerous to humans, and animals cannot become infected with human papillomavirus (HPV).

A cat can become infected with papillomatosis through direct contact with a sick animal or through care items. The incubation (latent) period of the disease is 1-2 months, and only after that its clinical signs begin to appear.

The following reasons contribute to the activation of the virus and the development of the disease:

• Presence of chronic infectious diseases.
• Insufficiently developed immune system in kittens.
• Weakened immunity in older cats or as a result of long-term use of certain medications.
• Difficult birth.
• Experienced stress.
• Hereditary factors.

Tumors

Presumably polyp.
Cats develop benign and malignant tumors. Under certain circumstances, a harmless growth degenerates into an oncological tumor.

Most often, this development of events occurs when the cat owner decides to fix the problem on his own. Therefore, if you find a lump on or near the ear, you should seek veterinary help. Polyps occur in the ears of young or mature animals.

Even when the tumor does not hurt, it must be removed, as conditions arise for otitis media - inflammation of the ear. The enlarged formation blocks the ear canal and can lead to deafness. In any case, a sample is taken for histological examination. If the oncological nature of the disease is confirmed, radiotherapy or chemotherapy methods are used.

Mastocytoma

Malignant tumors - mastocytomas form in older pets. At the initial stage, the lump looks harmless. However, as the tumor matures, cells in its center die. Necrotic tissue falls off and ulcers form.

Treatment is surgical - in addition to the tumor itself, up to 3 cm of surrounding tissue is removed, up to the amputation of the shell. A course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy is carried out, followed by rehabilitation and lifelong dietary nutrition.

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Diagnostics

If you find a lump behind your cat's ear, do not hesitate. It is advisable to take her to the vet immediately. To determine the nature of the swelling, the doctor conducts a visual examination and interviews the animal’s owner. The main questions that interest the doctor:

1. Does the animal have a free range?
2. Has the cat been in a fight lately?
3. Are there any changes in the pet's behavior?

Then, by palpation, the nature and structure of the neoplasm is determined: soft or hard, painful or not, whether it has purulent contents.

Laboratory and instrumental methods. Sometimes an initial examination is enough to determine the cause of the lump. But if the veterinarian cannot make a diagnosis based on visible signs, he prescribes additional tests:

• radiography;
• computed tomography;
• blood and urine tests;
• histology or cytology;
• Ultrasound;
• puncture and biopsy.

Based on the results obtained, the doctor determines the cause of the lump and prescribes treatment.

Ixodid tick

Ixodid tick
Sometimes an ixodid tick that has burrowed into an ear or another part of the body and sucked blood is mistaken for a lump.

Ticks are brought home by cats traveling through areas rich in bushes. Arthropods most often attack in early spring.

Ticks can carry the following infectious diseases:

1. Borreliosis or Weill's disease - bacteria lead to refusal to eat, dermatitis, and heart problems. Lymph nodes enlarge. After 2 months, lameness develops.
2. Hemobartonellosis: rickettsia, which are activated under the influence of stress and consumption of large amounts of raw river fish. Anemia develops - urine becomes thin, mucous membranes become pale.

If the arthropod is torn off, severe inflammation will develop. Therefore, a responsible owner of a roaming cat purchases a tick remover and carefully removes the parasite. You should work carefully: if you crush a tick, its contents will fall on your hands. Parasites transmit infectious diseases of cats, dogs and humans.

Unscrewing the pliers

Reliable protection - Spot-on drops that protect against ticks, fleas and worms. The parasite should be placed in a bottle and taken to the laboratory. If pathogens are detected, early treatment will avoid consequences.

Associated symptoms

Inflammatory processes and growing tumors in the pet’s ear area are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• decreased appetite;
• weight loss;
• suppuration and blood from the ear;
• the cat's constant desire to scratch his sore ear;
• irritable behavior;
• the pet does not allow his ears to be touched because of pain;
• increase in local temperature;
• redness of the skin.

All of the above symptoms may be accompanied by pain, hearing loss, and an increase in general body temperature. The animal cannot tell about its condition, so the owner should be attentive to his four-legged friend and promptly undergo examination if neoplasms are detected.