How common are tumors?

I've had some threads on here addressing some concerns for my cat who I sadly had to have put to sleep last night. Some of the problems I had asked on the older threads but one of Gizmo's longstanding problem was a dumb tumor that was right smack dab in between his eyes on top of his nose. It started YEARS back and did not seem to bother him (the Vet could touch etc. and Gizmo did not seem to flinch a hair). But one day he had a perfect drop of blood sitting on top of his nose hair. I used to have several other cats and figured he'd had a scuffle with one. It didn't seem to be a problem but from that time, over the years a tumor developed which would have been a big problem to remove due to the sensitive location. It's always bugged me and my sister that this had to happen (he was a Himalayan so it kind of took away from that 'flat-faced' profile ).
I was wondering if animals are genetically predisposed to getting tumors or do you think there was something toxic in my home? I had another cat that passed away that had TWO tumors. So I really wonder how prevalent this is among cats. I wished desperately that Gizmo's tumor could have been removed but it seemed like it would be a bad idea due to his age by the time the tumor was a good size. Plus it started pushing on his nasal passage. Ugh....what a bad situation not to mention the big crisis he went through before having to be humanely put down. I just feel overwhelmed by having gone through such a sad and emotionally draining ordeal.
I keep wondering if I could have been a better pet owner etc. It's terrible how your mind plays games.

Please, please, please don't beat yourself up over this hun. There is nothing that can be done now. You LOVED Gizmo. I really don't know how predisposed kitties are to tumors as I have never had a kitty who has had one although my aunt next door has a beagle who has a tumor and the vet said it is nothing to worry about at all.

Are you (or anyone in your family) having any kind of health problems at all? Is there any way you can have your home tested for toxins?

Originally Posted by Kailie

Please, please, please don't beat yourself up over this hun. There is nothing that can be done now. You LOVED Gizmo. I really don't know how predisposed kitties are to tumors as I have never had a kitty who has had one although my aunt next door has a beagle who has a tumor and the vet said it is nothing to worry about at all.

Are you (or anyone in your family) having any kind of health problems at all? Is there any way you can have your home tested for toxins?

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No, no one else is having any health problems in my family yet at the same time, people feel like they get tired when at my home. We've actually even speculated about this many times because it's crossed our minds so often. It's a house built in 1973 but I wonder if there was something used in the building that has had a toxic effect and is more lethal to smaller creatures like the cats. Often my family notices that they feel more energetic and lively when 'away' from the house. Unless maybe it's because when we're out and about, we have energy yet when we get home we unwind....who knows but it has been discussed many times.
I talked with my sister who is successfully being strong over the loss of our cat but I will have to get a hold of my mind and stop letting it torment me with 'what could I have done better' thoughts or 'did he suffer too much towards the end??!'. One thing that really troubles me is that I force fed him several times and he looked stressed out. But then if I didn't try, that would have tormented me too worrying if I 'should have'....it's truly a bummer right now but I will get a grip as more time goes by. Thanks for your reply

I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved Gizmo. I lost a cat to a similar cancer, a tumor between her eyes.

You should be able to get a free radon testing kit from your local department of health. Call your city hall and ask where to get one.

To answer your question yes, cat can be genetically prone to cancer, just like people.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Originally Posted by otto

I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved Gizmo. I lost a cat to a similar cancer, a tumor between her eyes.

You should be able to get a free radon testing kit from your local department of health. Call your city hall and ask where to get one.

To answer your question yes, cat can be genetically prone to cancer, just like people.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

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Thank you for your thoughts. That is surprising to hear your cat had a tumor in the same area. I thought mine was a freaky, rarity here! I actually got used to seeing my cat with this tumor but then when people would visit, I realized they would look startled to see the tumor.
I didn't know you could get a free radon testing kit, I will look into that.
Have a wonderful evening.

I am so sorry for your loss.

I had to put my baby to sleep last July due to a tumor. It developed in a really bad spot and was blocking his colon and he couldn't pass anything. It was a very hard and sad time for our family, and we had to make the decision to put him to sleep as well. Please do not beat yourself up. You gave your baby a good life. Nothing you could have done to prevent it.

I am so sorry for your loss. We always question ourselves when we have to let our babies go. Unfortunately, I have also have several healthy, happy cats develop tumors. I knew it had to be something I had in the house. I changed ALL my cleaning products to the natural eco-friendly brands, had the apartment tested for lead paint (it was an older building and tested positive). I moved and I quit smoking. None of this changed for the babies I had to let go, but the cats that survived passed away from natural causes and Bella is tumor free. I think cancer in cats is a lot like cancer in humans--there may be external factors involved. Please don't blame yourself. Gizmo knew you loved him.