Rectal Cancer Advice Needed

Does anyone have any experience with rectal cancer in cats?

I took my 15-year-old cat Snowball to the vet Monday for a checkup and the vet found a black mass on her rectum which is suspicious for cancer. The vet did a biopsy but the results were inconclusive. The vet is recommending surgical removal regardless of what the mass is. Snowball does have a heart murmur but it is well controlled with medication. Monday's labwork also showed Snowball is in the early stages of kidney disease. The surgery would cost $1200 - $1400. The recovery period would be about 2 days so I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t think the surgery would be too invasive. The vet said she would take as little of the rectum as possible. The cardiologist recommended we do another echocardiogram before the surgery but our vet said she would do the surgery if we chose to skip this as they would do a continuous EKG.

My heart says to have the surgery but my head says not to. At 15, Snowball is probably near the end of her lifespan anyway and Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m worried the cancer has probably metastasized anyway. On the other hand the surgery could be successful and add several good quality years to her life. She is not in any discomfort at the time. Does anyone have any experience or advice on rectal cancer or surgery in older cats? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I have no advice, but I just want to say I'm rooting for Snowball, poor thing. Fifteen isn't as old in cats as it used to be. I hope everything works out, and that she gets better...

No experience - but, I'd get a second opinion.

I don't have advice for you in making that decision, and I'm so sorry to hear your cat is ill. I can tell you about my cats, and how I dealt with the cancer news, but it's really a decision for you to make as you weigh your options, for what is best for your cat in your situation. Getting a second opinion is always a good idea as well. In my area, I was fortunate to be referred by my vet, to another vet who specialized in cancer cases.

Lucky Lee was an old stray I took in a few years ago. Although his exact age could not be determined, it was very clear to see he was very old, which the vet agreed. He had a mass in his abdomen, a thyroid condition, deaf, starving, full of fleas and ticks when I found camping out in his new found home--my yard.

So, long story short, I decided to treat the thyroid condition with medication, get him cleaned up, get rid of the fleas and ticks, test for the contagious diseases such as feline leukemia, and then take him in if he tested negative for the contagious diseases, which he did.

But, the cancer I let be. I decided since he was so old that I was going to keep him for as long as he lived, or until he started to visibly suffer. I wanted to give him a comfortable, safe place, to live out whatever time he had left. I feel good about my decision, and I have no regrets, except I miss my dear old boy. He lived two years with us, played with toys, sunned himself, enjoyed his treats, enjoyed being a lap cat, and passed away in my arms suddenly one morning.

I also had Victoria, who developed a mast cell tumor at the corner directly below her eye. She was also a stray and her age was an estimate--guessing she was about 14-15 when she got this tumor. Since it was caught early, I decided to put her through surgery to remove it, and the recovery period was quick. I did not, however, opt for any radiation or chemo following surgery. There was a chance the cancer could reoccur, but I chose not to put Victoria through any further treatment, and this all happened in 2007. She just went to the Bridge back in the winter 2010. She went downhill after developing thyroid disease in her old age, at around 17 years old or so.

Any decision you make will be difficult, and I wish I had an easy answer for you. Sometimes it's the quality of life that's most important, and sometimes it's worth putting them through treatments that will extend their life. I think it's a personal decision, something a person has to weigh out themselves, considering the cat, and the circumstances.

Prayers to you and your dear cat,

Thanks so much to everyone for your well wishes and for sharing your stories with me. The suggestion for a second opinion is an excellent one. I looked into it and itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s what I would do in a perfect world but I decided not to in this case because I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t like the clinic where the specialist works out of. Itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s where I take Snowball for her cardiologist and where I have taken my guinea pigs. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m sure they will recommend many tests and the final bill will be at least $500 just for the second opinion which will probably also recommend surgery.

I decided to go ahead and schedule the surgery with my regular vet. She saved Snowball from a serious case of pancreatitis many years ago. Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]m not optimistic the surgery will cure Snowball, but it may. Since the mass is on her rectum, the surgery will not be too invasive and removing it may make her more comfortable. Plus, there is always the outside possibility the surgery will be a 100% cure and add many more quality years to Snowballâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s life.

Snowball was also a stray who wandered into our yard in the summer of 1997 and never left. Whatever happens, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ll try not to second guess myself and will remember the many years of joy she has brought to our house. Hopefully, there are many years of joy still to come.

Thanks again.

I hope the surgery goes well, and will keep Snowball in my prayers (and you too). Let us know how it goes.

Prayers and good thoughts for a speedy recovery from surgery, Snowball

Great news! We took Snowball in for surgery this morning. The vet examined her again, looked at another sample under the microscope, and decided Snowball didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t need surgery after all! The vet said the mass appeared to be slow-growing and she wasnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t convinced it was cancer. She thought given Snowballâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s age and overall health, the surgery could do more harm than good especially since the mass isnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t affecting Snowballâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s quality of life at all at this point. The vet felt Snowball would probably die of old age or her heart condition before the mass would become a problem. She gave us some digital pictures they took of the mass so we could monitor Snowball at home to make sure the mass doesnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t grow. Needless to say we are overjoyed and are totally spoiling Snowball. She is currently enjoying a can of tuna (her favorite treat).

Thanks again to everyone for your advice and good wishes.

That's great news!!
I'm so happy for you and Snowball!

Please please help have a 15 year old lovely cat that is scheduled for surgery Wednesday and I am not sure to go thru with it he has a tumor at his rectum that is cancerous as far as I know it has not spread and he is eating fine and walking up and down the stairs I am nut sure at 15 I want to put him thru surgery I am in Massachusetts and I think the surgery bill is hefty if someone may know of a vet hospital in Ma that is not crazy money I may go thru with it the cost is between $1400.00 and $1700.00 if he was younger I would not be so upset with the cost if I do go thru with it what if it does not work and I lose him any suggestions would be greatly appreciated please call me if possible 7813291160 or email me [email protected] thank anyone that can help me

If you have advise for me please email me I have a 15 year old cat that needs rectal surgery-thank you