Recovery Time from In-Office Procedure to Remove Growth from Mouth?

My Shunra has a growth on her mouth that has to be removed in an in-office procedure. All I know is that she will need to be dropped off in the AM and picked up late afternoon-ish.

I am concerned about what to expect afterward. We are scheduled to leave for a few days right before New Year's, but I don't want to leave her if she still will need special care. Our departure is scheduled ten days after she will have the procedure. I will be away for five days.

Can anyone give me an idea what to expect as far as recovery? How will she eat (procedure will be done on her mouth)? How much time will we need to watch over her continually to look for problems or complications?

Many thanks for any advice that more experienced cat-parents can offer. 

kitkaturday said:

 
My Shunra has a growth on her mouth that has to be removed in an in-office procedure. All I know is that she will need to be dropped off in the AM and picked up late afternoon-ish.

I am concerned about what to expect afterward. We are scheduled to leave for a few days right before New Year's, but I don't want to leave her if she still will need special care. Our departure is scheduled ten days after she will have the procedure. I will be away for five days.

Can anyone give me an idea what to expect as far as recovery? How will she eat (procedure will be done on her mouth)? How much time will we need to watch over her continually to look for problems or complications?

Many thanks for any advice that more experienced cat-parents can offer. 

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I don't know the answer, part of which would be connected to the types of growths etc, but this would be a great question to ask of your vet.

Thanks so much for responding. 

I did talk to the vet and they kind of solved my problem, because they don't have any appointments for such a procedure until after I will already be home. We will go in for a consult, though, on Monday.

The big problem with little Shunra is getting her into a carrier. She is still more feral than cat, and won't allow herself to be held or hugged (stroking is okay). I already failed twice, and once just narrowly escaped being scratched in my eye. The vet gave me a mild sedative and I hope that will mellow her out enough so she'll be secure in the carrier before she realizes what happened.

I will ask the vet to trim her claws (something we can't do) because that should help when we have to prepare for the next visit. She is so hard to handle that I try to anticipate future steps and plan for them. 

Anyway, thanks. I hope we'll make it to the vet on Monday and we'll take it from there. 

What kind of growth is it? My cat has a growth on her tongue called an esinophillic granuloma. It looked like cancer! It shrinks when the cat is given steroids. It is caused by an allergic reaction to something in the cat's environment.

Have you had a biopsy done on the growth to determine what it is?

My understanding is mouth cancer in cats is very deadly with the most common cancer having a 1 year survival rate with chemotherapy.

If my cat had been diagnosed with cancer I am not sure I would try to treat it, as it seems chemotherapy is not very effective for that type of cancer.

Growths removed from the mouth are difficult to heal as they become infected easily. With my cat the location of her growth is not able to be surgically removed as it is too far back on her tongue.  My vet recommended against getting a biopsy as long as it continues to shrink with steroids. Getting a biospy can cause infections too.

Before trying to remove the growth, make sure you know what it is you are dealing with!

My "Internet Veterinary Diploma" showed me that it looks very much like what is called a "rodent ulcer," which I think is an informal name for the condition you described. It does not seem to bother her at all, but it is unsightly and certainly troubling to me to see it.

The vet we are going to has earned the highest praise from other cat rescue people in my city, and whether kitty appreciates it or not, I will certainly feel much better when we are in her competent hands. My big challenge is that Shunra Cat cannot be handled and we've already failed in attempts to get her into a carrier. The vet was kind enough to provide a mild sedative that we are hoping will help calm her enough to get her to the office.

Once we are there, we will jump the next hurdle. I'm hoping it's something benign that can be treated with steroids but I think the vet may want to remove the visible mass in any case. Now that I know that any procedure would only be after New Year, I know I can be here throughout her recovery to keep an eye on her.

How is your cat doing with the growth on the back of her tongue that couldn't be removed? Did it shrink with steroid treatment? Is it an obstacle to her when she eats? I don't think I would want a biopsy either because we are very limited financially, and I would not be able to afford expensive treatments in any case. I will definitely be talking with the vet about palliative care if it goes in that direction.  

Thanks for posting this info, every new detail and bit of knowledge helps.