yrs old wart suddenly changing on cat's back

[spirit3]

My older cat, Spirit, has had a black (she's a black cat) wart-looking thing on her back for several yrs-when she went to vet for UTI several months ago we showed to vet who was unconcerned @ that time saying while they were common in dogs, not common in cats but this looked like nothing to be concerned with. I noticed yesterday it seems to have a small mass under it now-before it was topical only-any thoughts?  We're bringing her to vet asap, of course, she seems fine otherwise.  I hope she doesn't have cancer and that it's just a benign growth of some sort-she's been our little baby since we 1st got together a dozen yrs ago..

[spirit3]

ok-I feel alot better! Thank you!!

[opus88]

don't be overly concerned spirit...this IMO doesn't sound like VAS...which would feel like a lump and usually in an area that gets lots of vaccines such as between the shoulder blades or on one of the hips....
I would still get it investigated b/c you mentioned theres been a recent 'change' but IMO I wouldn't be overly worried....just play it safe..good luck

[spirit3]

Can't figure out how to do the pic, you won't be able to see it because the wart is black as is her skin and fur. The wart itself hasn't changed, i just noticed there seems to be a small, soft swelling beneath it now. You can lift it w/her skin so it's not attached to her spine or anything. It looks exactly like a wart, just black, about the size of an apple seed. It's been there for at least 10 years. We'll get her to vet stat, I promise. I'll try not to worry till I have something to worry about..Sorry about Rainbow! That's terrible! My friend has 4 outdoor cats and I drive like a 90 yr old around her house because I'm so afraid of hitting one-and one is deaf so I'm particularly cautious.

[Jade59]

I'm afraid those vaccine associated sarcomas are aggressive and nasty.  Many owners have it removed, only to have it return fairly quickly.  Don't panic, hon, wait and see what the vet says.  I'm not real clear on where those vaccines are given, but I don't believe near the spine.  

[Jade59]

Let us know what the vet says, Staci.  You know, my childhood cat, Rainbow, had a growth on her side most of her life that was benign.  If you can snap a pic with your new phone, that would help just to get an idea what it looks like.  Rainbow's "mass" was different colors and uneven and while it was fairly large, didn't seem to bother her.  She was 17 when she died, but not from the tumor but because my mom hit her with the car when Rainbow darted in front of it.  

You know I'll keep Spirit in my prayers, Sweets.

[spirit3]

The location is just about midway down her back over her spine. the vet gave it a good squeeze when he looked at it and said it was one of those things you often see on dogs. nothing came out of it; but the change in it when it's been constant for all these yrs concerns me.  Due to horrible financial issues she hasn't had shots in yrs and yrs and I don't remember where they put them in; is that the location: mid-spine? That seems odd. Anyway-off to vet as soon as customer pays huge bike bill. Is that VAS usually fatal, I'm afraid to research that, my heart dropped. Sarcoma is NOT what i want to hear, of course.

[opus88]

I am glad you are getting this investigated right away, never brush off anything that is changing in anyway....is this perhaps the locations where spirit has received her vaccinations...? sure hope not. could than be vaccine associated sarcoma VAS. lets all pray for the best. be sure the Vet does a biopsy.
good luck..