Cancer in cat - advice/experiences?

[Carthage]

My possibly teenage black-and-white tomcat had a skin cancer tumour removed from his shoulder a few years ago. Cancer recurred about a month ago, with an ulcerating tumour on his left ear. The ear was removed, but now he has a marble sized lump 2cm behind the scar.

Vet is taking a biopsy tomorrow - but I wonder what are his options if it is indeed cancer spreading?

Vet told me it was 'inoperable' in one breath, but in the next said 'I don't know what it is - it could be a cyst, an abscess or a tumour' and I feel those statements don't tally.

So - any experiences with cancer, operations, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy in puddycats?

Thanks in advance. x

[fistofsteel]

Given the stated interval, this is extremely unlikely to be a recurrence of the skin cancer from the shoulder. Put simply, everything depends upon the biopsy results. Secondary tumours are always harder to deal with as there are usually several of them (not always apparent). If it is another primary it should be dealt with as a separate entity. It would be useful to compare to previous lab results to help determine this.

[dreamer75]

My cat has cancer, although its in his intestine not his skin.

Initial surgery removed the tumour (singular fortuntely) but couldn't get the lymph node. He is nearly 7 weeks into an 8 week course of chemo and doing really well. We did wonder if we were being a bit stupid putting a cat through chemo, but we said if the treatment made him Ill then we would stop - he hasn't really noticed the treatment and is so well and bouncing around again! He has out in the weight he lost (abut 1.5-2kgs) and is back to his old tricks chasing hair bands etc.

He is about 13 years old.

Not sure of the prognosis of skin cancer, but at least in our case the little man is doing very well and we feel we've made the right choice.

Ps we were given 3 choices - chemo, steroids or nothing. We chose chemo - it's 8 weeks of:

• chemo tablet every other day
• steroid tablet every other day
• Zantac when you can get e liquid down him!
• once/week to the vet for a day for intravenous and cuddles

Cost seems to be approx 150/week - insurance is picking up the bulk of it.

I believe it's the secondary tumours that are the bad bit - we've been lucky and there was just the one big one blocking his intestine

Edited by dreamer75 on Tuesday 5th March 08:09

[Carthage]

The vets have told me that his biopsies show he has two different forms of cancer.
To clear his body of tumours by surgery would cost £2.5 - £3k (he's uninsured).
As he's a 16yr old ex-feral tom cat, it doesn't seem worth undertaking multiple operations, so at the moment I think we may just decide to let him live out the remainder of his life, and PTS when he needs it.

Never take in stray puddycats.

[ali_kat]

[omgus]

ali_kat said:

Gutted to hear that.

[Carthage]

omgus said:

ali_kat said:

Gutted to hear that.

Thanks, both, and to those who replied with information.

I'm trying to tell myself that it's not so bad: he's had about 5 or 6 happy years since my ex and I spotted him dying in the garden, and took him in.

He's quite happy at the moment - has a couple of lumps on his neck and ear, but otherwise loving life (and dating a girlcat called 'Vienna' ) so we'll just see how he goes and do what we can (without traumatic further surgeries).

And then we'll make sure he has a good death, I promise.

[Mobile Chicane]

Carthage said:

Thanks, both, and to those who replied with information.

I'm trying to tell myself that it's not so bad: he's had about 5 or 6 happy years since my ex and I spotted him dying in the garden, and took him in.

He's quite happy at the moment - has a couple of lumps on his neck and ear, but otherwise loving life (and dating a girlcat called 'Vienna' ) so we'll just see how he goes and do what we can (without traumatic further surgeries).

And then we'll make sure he has a good death, I promise.

I personally think you're doing the right thing.

If I were to think what approach I'd want for myself in the face of extensive (although possibly not totally inoperable) cancer, I'd choose pain relief rather than surgery / chemotherapy to extend my life.

For what kind of 'life' would that be?

Having been hacked about / filled with noxious chemicals, pretty miserable, I'd suggest.

[bexVN]

I'm sorry you've had such bad news. I am assuming the price includes chemo as it sounds like a lot just for surgery.

I would have made the same decision as you have, let him live out his last days in peace rather than lots and lots of intensive treatment. If he was a young cat I may say different.

The steroids can help for a while, you are obviously an attentitive owner I can tell you will be able to make the right decision when you need to.

[Carthage]

Mobile Chicane said:

I personally think you're doing the right thing.

If I were to think what approach I'd want for myself in the face of extensive (although possibly not totally inoperable) cancer, I'd choose pain relief rather than surgery / chemotherapy to extend my life.

For what kind of 'life' would that be?

Having been hacked about / filled with noxious chemicals, pretty miserable, I'd suggest.

Thanks - our first reaction was to get it done and pay, but then we'd be taking away some of the happy, lying in the sun, eating chicken/salmon, calling on Vienna, sleeping in front of the fire time and replacing it with post surgery collars, stitches, etc.

So on balance, I think we'll let him live on, doing anything non-invasive to help him, so painkillers etc.
For an ugly black and white entire ex feral (now with one ear removed), he's the nicest person, so no real regrets on taking him in - he's living with my Mum at the moment, and she loves him.

[Carthage]

bexVN said:

I'm sorry you've had such bad news. I am assuming the price includes chemo as it sounds like a lot just for surgery.

I would have made the same decision as you have, let him live out his last days in peace rather than lots and lots of intensive treatment. If he was a young cat I may say different.

The steroids can help for a while, you are obviously an attentitive owner I can tell you will be able to make the right decision when you need to.

Actually, he's had £1200 worth of treatment to remove two tumours already, has another two which the Dick Vet in Edinburgh quoted £800 - £1000 to remove, and then an additional £2500 - £3000 to rid his body of all remaining tumours.
It would be a tough treatment regime for an approx 16yr old cat...

[Carthage]

My puddycat has been living with my mum so she could cook him salmon, chicken and attend to his every feline whim.

He's been enjoying life until today when she says he's staggering about and falling. The vet is going to her house to put him to sleep in half an hour.

Never take in a stray, elderly tomcat - they break your heart when they leave you.

[ali_kat]

You rescued him & gave him the very best possible life, now you are doing the hardest thing for you, but again the best thing for him

Xx

[yellow peril]

Carthage said:

My puddycat has been living with my mum so she could cook him salmon, chicken and attend to his every feline whim.

He's been enjoying life until today when she says he's staggering about and falling. The vet is going to her house to put him to sleep in half an hour.

Never take in a stray, elderly tomcat - they break your heart when they leave you.

We took in a very poorly , kicked out Siamese who was with us for two lovely years before having to be put down.

You gave your cat those extra years and much love.

Sad day for you.

[Mobile Chicane]

Think of the good times, and the life you gave him. He certainly looks like a 'character'.