My cat has a cyst or something on her thigh, can anyone help me figure out what to do about it?

Question

It was just a small knot to begin with, but it has been growing over the past year or so. Now it is about the size of a marble and it looks like a bluberry and has started leaking blood or something. My dad says to pop it and drain it, but I'm worried about it hurting and getting infected. We can't afford to take her to a vet, does anyone have any advice on what to do?

Answer 1

I'm going to link to some options that help with low-cost vet care.

Your cat needs to go to the vet. That's all there is to it. While I am sensitive that not everyone has a lot extra money, the owner of a cat is responsible to take care of it. This means adequate vet care. Even when I made $12,000 a year, was in school full time, worked almost full time, and couldn't afford groceries, my cats got ANY vet care that they needed.

Bring the cat to the vet and try to work something out for a payment plan or with a low cost vet. And please, don't get any more pets until you can afford vet care for them.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

You need a vet - especially if there's a chance of infection. Anytime something starts to ooze, that's a sign that help is needed. If you can't afford a vet - call your local animal shelter. Ask them if there are any vets in the area who do pro bono (free) or reduced pricing for low income clients. Perhaps the vet that the shelter uses could help. Maybe a vet would only charge for the medicine and not the visit. That would be a big help.

Answer 3

Can you call a vet and see what he believes it is.

It could be anything. It could be a tumor. Do not try to do any kind of popping or cutting unless you want to be bringing the cat to an emergency clinic. You think you can't afford a vet now? Wait until you see the emergency room pricing! Ouch.

Call the vet, exlain the situation. If necessary, see if they can't work out a payment plan for you.

You may want to rethink having a pet you can't afford to keep.

Answer 4

some vets offer scholoarship type things. They would rather have an animal cared for then have money. Call around and
ask a couple of vets what they think this could be and then let them know that you cant afford to take your pet, but you are worried. Someone should help you out.

This could be life threatening and could just be a cyst.

Also, you could go to webmd. They answer all sorts of questions. I dont think it is just for people problems.

Good luck

Answer 5

Call your local ASPCA and see if they can refer yo to low cost care or tell them you are seriously concerned for your animal but cannot afford vet care. Sometimes they are able to have their in-house vet take a look at the animal for no cost or a small donation

Answer 6

well the only advice i can give you is save your money and take it too a vet....i am sure that you have had money for new clothes, junk food (you can survive without it), movies, gas (not used for school or work), going out to eat, fast food. but yet you can't scrap together and do without to take care of your cat. you know i've been at a point where i couldn't afford vet care and i scraped, borrowed, and begged b/c my kitty's life depended on it. even now with that HUGE (sarcastic) paycheck that the military gives my husband, we do without dates to get our kitty proper vet care.

Answer 7

Whatever you do, don't pop it! The bacteria is extreemly dangerous and can cause infection. Just take it to the vet and you'll get antibiotics for your cat.

Answer 8

take her to the vet asap

Answer 9

If kitty has been vaccinated in the legs, as current veterinary protocol specifies, this could be a Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma.

VAS is usually fibrosarcoma, a nasty, tenacious cancer that likes to keep coming back after being treated. The reason cats are now vaccinated in the legs is so that at the first sign of fibrosarcoma the leg can be amputated, which provides the best chance of long term survival.

Get kitty to a vet immediately, and if the vet thinks it could be VAS, ask for a referral to an oncologist. There are sources of financial assistance. Along with the sources listed below, some vaccine manufacturers will provide financial assistance towards VAS treatment.

If you get a diagnosis of VAS please send me a private message and I'll hook you up with an excellent on-line VAS Support Group where you can find lots of information, good advice and support.

Read here about VAS:

http://www.vas-awareness.org

http://www.catshots.com

Look here for financial assistance:

AAHA Helping Pets Fund
AAHA-accredited veterinary practice applies for a grant on behalf of the pet in need. For veterinary practices, assistance is limited to $700 per calendar year. Each pet and family is limited to $500 per calendar year. Owners must be able to document their financial hardship by being on food stamps, unemployment, SSI, Medicaid or TANF or similar, if in Canada. In certain situations, if the vet signs a letter stating the owner has financial hardship, the grant may also be approved. They will only pay for needed medical care for sick pets.
http://www.aahahelpingpets.org/root

Care Credit
CareCredit, offers no fee, interest free loan plans (for periods up to 36 months) with a low monthly payment for Veterinary Medicine. These plans can be very helpful and are much lower in costs than credit cards, bank loans, etc. They also offer loans for longer periods at a rate of 9.9% interest.
http://www.carecredit.com/

Cats In Crisis Nine Lives Emergency Fund
This organization offers $150-$200 for cats with illnesses not covered under their other funds to pay for vet bills, treatments, etc. to individuals who are unemployed, receiving government assistance, on Medicare/Medicaid or have other reasons for needing financial help.
http://www.catsincrisis.org/nineLivesFund.html

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance
Provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.
http://www.fveap.org/

Help-A-Pet
A nonprofit organization which provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense. If your income is less than $20,000 (individual) or $40,000 (family), you may qualify for up to $500.
http://www.help-a-pet.org/

In Memory of Magic (IMOM)
Helping people help pets. To better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. Dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. Four different funds.
http://www.imom.org/

LifeLine/LifeLine Rescue by United Animal Nations
Aids companion animals in times of life-threatening emergencies when their caregivers, with low or no incomes, are unable to afford the entire cost of treatment
http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html

New Jersey Veterinary Foundation
The New Jersey Veterinary Foundation will introduce an animal welfare program called "Healing Hands for Needy Paws" to provide medical care to pets whose owners' salaries permit them to receive government assistance. Participating practices can receive up to $1,000 per year for the program. Under the fund, payments will be granted on a cost-only basis without compensation for veterinary labor or profit. To qualify for the program, the animal must be domestic, owned, sick, injured, or in need of emergency care. The owner will pay a one-time fee of $30 to the organization. Consult with your local veterinarian to see if they are participating.
http://www.njvma.org/public/foundation

New York Save
NY S.A.V.E, Inc., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the aid and assistance of low-income pet owners residing in one of the five boroughs of New York City, whose pet is in need of emergency veterinary care.
http://nysave.org/

PDSA (Great Britain and Northern Island)
The PDSA provides free veterinary care to anyone in the UK who is receiving financial help for housing from the Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. You must live close to one of their practices and not all costs are covered. Read more at this link and either call or use their email enquiry form to receive more information.
http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pages/page01_3.cf

Pets Are Loving Support
Located in Sonoma, CA, and assisting people with AIDS, this not for profit arranges discounted veterinary services for its clients' animals, and provide an interest free loan and payment plan for clients with financial needs.
http://www.sonic.net/~pals/index.html

The Pet Fund
Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need veterinary care. The "triage" system for deciding which cases to fund is based on the stated financial need of the animal owner, the opinion of the treating veterinarian as to the medical necessity and urgency of the treatment needed, and the demonstrated capability of the animal owners to be responsible for their animals. Owners need to complete an application and funding agreement and provide proof of income. Vets will have to sign a waiver and provide an estimate of treatment costs. They advise you to call first [phone]. Grants are capped at $500.
http://www.thepetfund.com/default.htm