Hi everyone, I have a big decision tomorrow for my 14 1/2 year old cat. She is scheduled for tomorrow to have surgery to have a large golf ball size, and a pea size lump taken out from her belly. I've never been faced with such indecisive decision. I'm scared for her and that I'm doing the right choice for her. Let me give you some back ground on her. She's a black kitty named Fay Fay (means fat in Chinese), she was a little chunker compared to her sister cat lol. Well she's been happy and healthy all these years up until last year in October when I went to visit my mom and was playing with her, and felt a gumball sized lump on her chest. As soon as we came back from vacation that week, I took her to the vet. The vet thinks it is breast cancer since of the location and the point that I've never gotten her spayed. We did blood work, which came back fine and Dr suggested that we should have that lump taken out. Well with everyone's opinions, I decided to hold off and watch it. Well 5 months goes by and her lump has almost double to a size of a golf ball now and is now visible through her fur. Took her back in to get reevaluated and blood work done and urine analysis done, and this time she has grown a pea size lump on the lower half of her belly, and her levels for thyroid and kidneys were not a normal level anymore plus she had a bladder infection (which I had it cleared up with antibiotics). She is now on special KD food for her kidneys and hoping that it will bring it to a normal level for her. Today we should be getting a call with the results from her blood work In hoping that levels will be normal and that surgery is the best route. I've been so stressed out and crying about this for the past week and I'm just hoping I'm not making the wrong decision for her. Anyone else out there have gone through this before? I need some input. Fay's such a kind hearted and gentle cat, and she doesn't seem like she's in pain or bothered by it at all.
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Breast Cancer in Cats? Scheduled surgery for tomorrow... Should I do it?
- Thread starter chiuch
- Start Date
By today's standards, 14 1/2 is not too old to have surgery, but if her kidneys are not functioning properly, she could have trouble with the anesthesia. You might choose to just have a needle biopsy done first. It is quite possible that if it is malignant breast cancer, it may have metastasized to other parts of her body, and if that is the case, removing the first tumor will not change the outcome at all, and keeping her comfortable is the best option.
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who's doing the surgery and how much experience do they have?
you can find board-certified vet surgeons here:
https://online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rflssareferral.query_page?P_VENDOR_TY=VETS
you may want to read this article from that site
https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/mammary-tumors
you can find board-certified vet surgeons here:
https://online.acvs.org/acvsssa/rflssareferral.query_page?P_VENDOR_TY=VETS
you may want to read this article from that site
https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/mammary-tumors
Hyperthyroidism and renal disease are often diagnosed in tandem, as high thyroid can lead to high blood pressure, which leads to renal disease and feedback loops to worsen the hypertension.
Step 1 is whether her creatinine, a kidney value in the bloodwork, and her phosphorus have responded to dietary therapy, meaning these values have decreased, or haven't increased at a minimum.
Step 2 is a chest Xray, to ensure she has no lung masses aka metastases. If she does, surgery is not going to be curative for her. The fact alone that the masses have grown that fast implies that their sheer girth and weight will eventually affect her mobility and normal movement as the masses continue to increase in size. They may hang low enough, they become ulcerated due to abrading on the floor/ground, which could lead to infection.
Controlling the thyroid disease usually leads to a normal blood pressure, unless her renal disease is progressed enough to cause hypertension as well. I hope you are given the information needed to make as informed a decision as possible. Sometimes cutting into and/or removing a mass is the only way to know how severe it is, so surgery isn't the "wrong" answer. It may be moot if her kidneys are deteriorated beyond therapy though, as you are aware, waiting on pins and needles for her recheck labwork, I know.
Step 1 is whether her creatinine, a kidney value in the bloodwork, and her phosphorus have responded to dietary therapy, meaning these values have decreased, or haven't increased at a minimum.
Step 2 is a chest Xray, to ensure she has no lung masses aka metastases. If she does, surgery is not going to be curative for her. The fact alone that the masses have grown that fast implies that their sheer girth and weight will eventually affect her mobility and normal movement as the masses continue to increase in size. They may hang low enough, they become ulcerated due to abrading on the floor/ground, which could lead to infection.
Controlling the thyroid disease usually leads to a normal blood pressure, unless her renal disease is progressed enough to cause hypertension as well. I hope you are given the information needed to make as informed a decision as possible. Sometimes cutting into and/or removing a mass is the only way to know how severe it is, so surgery isn't the "wrong" answer. It may be moot if her kidneys are deteriorated beyond therapy though, as you are aware, waiting on pins and needles for her recheck labwork, I know.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Well I forgot to add that I had X-rays done and it had not gone to any of her organs and is just under the skin. Blood work came back and her levels for her thyroid came back normal now and her kidney levels are just a point less than last time but has not gotten worse she has been only on her special food for only about 2 1/2 weeks so it may be too early to know if it has really helped much. I've talked to my family and think has decided to go through with surgery to cut them out. I think if we don't do surgery now before anything gets worse that it would basically be just watching her die slowly. I think it's the better choice but I'm still in shambles about it and is very nervous about doing the right thing for her....
My kitty Maggie has been through breast cancer twice, the vet calls her the medical mystery miracle kitty. [emoji]128515[/emoji]
the first diagnosis we opted for the right chain mascectomy, that was 5 years ago. So for some cats, yes its a great choice to make for them, others not so lucky but there's always hope. Be aware though, 5 years is well beyond the norm for life extension after cancer, But obviously possible.
Sadly another lump developed weeks after surgery and grew aggressively, the vet told us the cancer spread to the other chain and decide if we wanted her to suffer or do the right thing? When she was showing pain it was time, we called the mobile vet and scheduled her for an exam and maybe plan uthinized at home. [emoji]128542[/emoji].
upon this alternate vet showing up for a quick second opinion the vet and tech examined the lump looked at each other, grabbed a syringe stuck it in the lump and filled it not once twice, but a hand full of times with what you ask? Milk... That's right Milk. After surgery for whatever reason, 1 gland decided to produce such an excessive amount of milk, her breast almost burst. Seems the good grace of kitty lord granted another 2 years.
well I'm her today because the first surgery should have been a full mascetomy, both left and right, it was not. 2 weeks ago she was diagnosed again. this time sadly not milk. But blood work and xrays look perfectly normal and surgery is over. Doing well today, should be home tomorrow. I hope that I can hear other happy stories of survival,
my answer to everyone who asked me why I would spend $1500 on an operation for a cat....Twice!
Well, would you work an extra week or 2 maybe give up tv and cell phones for a month to save your friends life?
I would, My friend will be home tomorrow. [emoji]128570[/emoji]
the first diagnosis we opted for the right chain mascectomy, that was 5 years ago. So for some cats, yes its a great choice to make for them, others not so lucky but there's always hope. Be aware though, 5 years is well beyond the norm for life extension after cancer, But obviously possible.
Sadly another lump developed weeks after surgery and grew aggressively, the vet told us the cancer spread to the other chain and decide if we wanted her to suffer or do the right thing? When she was showing pain it was time, we called the mobile vet and scheduled her for an exam and maybe plan uthinized at home. [emoji]128542[/emoji].
upon this alternate vet showing up for a quick second opinion the vet and tech examined the lump looked at each other, grabbed a syringe stuck it in the lump and filled it not once twice, but a hand full of times with what you ask? Milk... That's right Milk. After surgery for whatever reason, 1 gland decided to produce such an excessive amount of milk, her breast almost burst. Seems the good grace of kitty lord granted another 2 years.
well I'm her today because the first surgery should have been a full mascetomy, both left and right, it was not. 2 weeks ago she was diagnosed again. this time sadly not milk. But blood work and xrays look perfectly normal and surgery is over. Doing well today, should be home tomorrow. I hope that I can hear other happy stories of survival,
my answer to everyone who asked me why I would spend $1500 on an operation for a cat....Twice!
Well, would you work an extra week or 2 maybe give up tv and cell phones for a month to save your friends life?
I would, My friend will be home tomorrow. [emoji]128570[/emoji]
I see your post was 10 days ago my best wishes are sent your way, hope everything is ok thus far.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
Thank you for replying on here. I totally understand spending the money for our furry friends, they are family. I couldn't just watch her slowly die if I had the money to try and fight for her life. Some people just don't validate spending that much money but I'm glad I did. Fay went into surgery, and had to stay over night to stay on fluids because of her kidneys, but when I picked her up the next day she was so happy to see me and soooo ready to go back home. As soon as she saw me and the her carrier, she leaped out of the nurses arms and tried to go in there lol. It's been about a week, and she is doing pretty well. She did hide for a little while and took her some time to warm up being at home again but that was expected. She stayed on her antibiotics and pain meds for about a week but now she's off and doing just fine. She goes in in about a week to get her stitches out and I'm praying that there will not be any lumps already growing back. I know it could happen and theres a good possibility that it could come back quick, but I hope that's not the case anytime soon. I'm so happy to have found this site because it's nice to know and talk to people that feel and have the same love for our furry friends. I'll keep you guys updated on her she's doing at her next visit at the vet.
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How is Fay?? I am curious to know if she was spayed...
Many years ago I my parents had adopted the sweetest Balinese, Jasmier (she was two or three). They already had two young male cats at home, one of them terrorized her. I had surgery during this time and stayed at my parents for a week. I absolutely fell in love with Jasmier, she stayed with me the whole time on my bed. Even though my parents loved and adored Jasmier, they knew she was not happy and for her own well being, felt it was best to re-home her. I told my mom I would take her, even though I had a 10 year old male at home, Woodrow, who never met another cat that he liked (I had quite a few broken lamps from him "chasing" neighborhood cats that would roam through our backyard). He would hiss and scream and run from window to window to sliding glass door until they were out of view. Within 6 months, they had become best friends. About two years later, I felt this pea sized lump on Jasmier's belly; she had breast cancer. My vet told me that the vet that spayed her did not remove everything. I think he removed her uterus, but left her ovaries which caused the tumor. My vet told me if she had been spayed properly, she never would have developed breast cancer. She had a complete mastectomy at six years old. Unfortunately, about 8 months later, her lungs were filling with fluid, and we had to let her go. Sadly, three months after that, Woodrow developed an inoperable tumor in his stomach. I think he was grief-stricken and in four months we had to say goodbye to him as well. I hope Fay is doing much better.
Many years ago I my parents had adopted the sweetest Balinese, Jasmier (she was two or three). They already had two young male cats at home, one of them terrorized her. I had surgery during this time and stayed at my parents for a week. I absolutely fell in love with Jasmier, she stayed with me the whole time on my bed. Even though my parents loved and adored Jasmier, they knew she was not happy and for her own well being, felt it was best to re-home her. I told my mom I would take her, even though I had a 10 year old male at home, Woodrow, who never met another cat that he liked (I had quite a few broken lamps from him "chasing" neighborhood cats that would roam through our backyard). He would hiss and scream and run from window to window to sliding glass door until they were out of view. Within 6 months, they had become best friends. About two years later, I felt this pea sized lump on Jasmier's belly; she had breast cancer. My vet told me that the vet that spayed her did not remove everything. I think he removed her uterus, but left her ovaries which caused the tumor. My vet told me if she had been spayed properly, she never would have developed breast cancer. She had a complete mastectomy at six years old. Unfortunately, about 8 months later, her lungs were filling with fluid, and we had to let her go. Sadly, three months after that, Woodrow developed an inoperable tumor in his stomach. I think he was grief-stricken and in four months we had to say goodbye to him as well. I hope Fay is doing much better.
I'm so glad Fay came through her surgery with flying colors. You last posted a week ago and said she would be getting her stitches out "in about a week" so I'm checking to see how that went. I hope all is well and Fay is healing up perfectly.
