Went to the vet, diagnosed with oral jaw cancer. Heart broken :(

I haven't been on this site in forever, but today I found out the worst possible news you can from a veterinarian. My beloved Jazzykins most likely has a tumor in her lower jaw. 

My beautiful princess Jasmine aka Jazzy aka Jazzykins aka Jazz Jazz is 12 years old. I "adopted"her and her brother when my mom's landlord's unspayed cat (they did spay her after this unexpected litter at least) had kittens. My mom originally was against the idea of a cat, but being only 10 years old, she let my twin sister and I go visit the kittens at least. 

 I originally wanted this male calico kitten, but he had already been claimed. I then saw this little tiny grey bundle of cuteness, and my heart just knew she was the one for me. The lady told me that this little grey kitten had somehow escaped into some broken heat vents, and spent two of the coldest December winter nights there before they could get her out. (Why, I have no idea.) I figured if this brave little girl could survive that, she could survive anything.

My mom relented on the no cats, and let my sister choose a kitty as well so my kitten wouldn't be lonely. My sister was chosen by the 2nd runt of the litter.

We had to wait a few weeks before they could leave their mom, but during this time we would come over and bond with the kittens daily. Jasmine quickly recognized me, and would crawl up my legs for me to hold her. 

When we brought them home, Jasmine would want to be with me all the time. She would sleep under the covers with me, claw her way up my legs for me to hold her, and would drool when she purred because she loved to be held and carried so much (informed this by a vet over 6 years that she is basically overexcited). 

She has remained this way all the way up into now. She still will paw at my legs when she wants to be picked up. She will lay in my arms, purring and drooling away as happy and content as can be. I don't think anyone believes me when I tell them that my cat is so needy and wants to  be picked up and carried like a human child almost constantly. Whenever I take a shower, she will sit on the toilet and wait until I come out. The moment I am out, she meows at me, and will stand up on her back legs so I will pick her up and carry her for a bit. The moment I sit down, she jumps down and paws at my legs (or bites me if I take too long to notice her) so I will pick her up again and carry her around. She's a strange, but very special cat. 

Another random thing about her. When I am playing a board game, she can walk across the entire board game and won't knock over a single piece. She is so dainty and elegant. Her brother is like godzilla and manages to ruin the game with one paw.

Over the last week, I've noticed that it looked like that her mouth was constantly staying open a teensy bit. It was hard to notice unless you looked closely at a certain angle, but she just looked slightly different. I checked her mouth, no sores or bad breath, she was eating normal, acting normal, and seemed fine. My boyfriend didn't think anything was even that wrong with her, since she had no other issues and it was barely noticeable.

Being the worrier I am, I decided to make a vet appointment yesterday for today, thinking that it was some sort of dental issue.

Got to the vet, and the super nice vet did a quick examination. Without drawing it out, she said that Jasmine has a tumor in her jaw, that's causing her mouth and tongue to swell, resulting in her mouth being open a bit as a mechanical response to the swelling. She told me that it's most likely her least favorite (if she had a favorite) form of cancer, because it's so aggressive and localized. She informed that there's the option of a jaw removal (which most cats don't do well with she said) or radiation as "treatment" options. 

Only good news, she is in zero pain currently. She is eating both her wet and dry food with no problems. 

She did some labs (blood work and urine sample) and I am waiting to hear back.

Once we get the labs in (should be 24-48 hours), I have to schedule her to go back to get the biopsy done to confirm. It's pretty much already been confirmed though, she didn't think it could be anything else. 

I've done a ton of research about oral squamous cell carcinoma since getting back, and am just devastated by what I'm reading. 

From the sounds of it, she only has a few months of a good quality life left. I don't have any plans to do the jaw removal or radiation, since it doesn't seem like it will improve her life any more than just by extending it.

My main concern is her quality of life versus quantity, and if she is in pain. I've read about a lot of people who give their cats a couple weeks, months, or even a year by doing the jaw surgery, tube/force feeding, tons of different shots and medicines, lots of vet visits, etc. I don't want her get to the point where she is hungry and unable to eat the amount of food she wants, or has lost a couple pounds, or is in constant pain.

I can't stop thinking about how her brother will react when she is no longer here. They are so close. 

I'm just horribly devastated by this news. I have been a crying wreck all day since, and just in utter shock that my precious angel has cancer. I didn't even think it could be a possibility. 

She on the other hand, is completely unaware of this, which I am thankful for.

There will be moments where I forget, but then I remember and it call just hits me like a ton of bricks with a wave of devastation.

For now, I am trying to make sure she has the best possible days of her life. I have my suitcase taken out of the closet for her to nap on (one of her favorite napping spots), left a bunch of paper bags (with no handles) scattered about the kitchen since she likes them as well, and in the process of building a low level cat tree with dresser drawers for her to sleep in as well. (They already have cat shelves, but it's been months since she's gone up there). She also has a cat window seat that I moved the couch under for easier access.

Right now, she just pawed and meowed at me to pick her up, and happily resides purring and drooling on my lap. I will cherish these precious moments with her. 

Thank you for reading this. 


Taken a few months ago


Taken 3 years ago. 

With her brother Samson

I have a cat with cancer now too, it is heartbreaking because there is no "cure". SCC is one of the worst, and jaw removal if possible for oral scc is the "best" treatment for long term survivability. It depends how much of the jaw is affected as to how your cats quality of life will be, but look into people who have had the surgery, and many cat owners are happy with the results when it is the outer jaw that is affected. 

If that doesn't seem like a reasonable option, you can also search clinical trials. http://www.vetcancertrials.org/ 

Radiation tends to still have a rather poor outcome with this cancer compared to other forms, and chemo is pretty much ineffective. I am not sure where you are located, but some vet schools are offering more novel therapies as well such as nanoparticles or cryo therapy. 

Don't give up hope! It may be benign, and if it is cancer you can look at options available on the internet or with other vets. We had a cat show up at our house a few years ago, emaciated, covered with dirt and saliva, shot in the hip, drooling uncontrollably and looking down right pitiful. we took him into a vet who diagnosed advanced jaw cancer. We just couldn't give up on him and wanted him to be as comfortable as possible. He never did need pain meds, he ran and jumped around like a kitten for another year after our vet started him on Prednisone. It shrunk the tumor and stopped his drooling. Every month when I would call to get a refill, someone would say, "you know keeping him on prednisone will lead to kidney problems" and I always replied, "Look, he's dying, I think kidney problems are the last thing on his mind". He finally had to be put down after his bones started weakening and he broke his hip. We still miss his furry little face and cry when w think of how we found him. But we gave him a year of warmth and love! I'm not saying your cat needs Prednisone already, but I wanted you to know about it and how miraculous it changed that sweet boy's life. Keep it in mind. Treasure each moment you have left now, and I'm sure you'll have some time left. I know it's hard, but know you'll always have your precious memories and you gave her 12 years of care and love, that is all she ever wanted. I'll pray for you all, there are still miracles!

I'm so sorry for your bad news.  I have two kittens, a male and female, both of which are about seven months old, and they are inseparable.  I often think about what would happen if one of them got sick or hurt.  Cherish the time you have left. 

I'm so sorry.  Jasmine is beautiful.  Try to enjoy every minute you have with her and give her lots of love.  Maybe she will have longer than you think. 

Yes, she is a beautiful girl. It is so horrible to get this kind of news. Just sending you lots of hugs. Hold her, talk to her, spoil her like crazy. Cherish every minute.:nod:

Just wanted to give you all an update. On Monday she had her biopsy, and her vet said that the xrays show that the mass is invading her left jaw. She also has lost two teeth as a result. She's also lost 2 oz. While I won't get the biopsy results to confirm for another day or two, it's basically proof that's it's cancer.

She came with a slow release pain medicine that lasts 3-5 days, boy has it made her SPUNKY! Since Monday night, she has been zipping around and rubbing everything with her head, walking around super fast, leaping effortlessly long distances, and just like her younger self a few years back. Normally, she is pawing at my legs for me to pick her up and carry her around. She's been too ansy to be held for longer than a few seconds, and then wants down and will weave in between my legs. She's been rolling around basking in the sun while rubbing her head against me, just an entirely new cat. Thank goodness for modern Western medicine, as she must be feeling great! Super energetic, I definitely think she has some form of kitty arthritis that the pain meds have blocked out for the time being.

On the non bright side, her appetite hasn't been 100%. She ate the half sized dinner portion ravenously Monday night of wet food soup (HQ wet food mixed with warm water), but Tuesday morning didn't even sniff or lick her food. A dabbed some on my finger, and she rubbed her head against it, smearing it across her face. Didn't even notice it, or act like it was food. Nibbled a little bit for her late lunch, and ate some of her dinner. Wednesday morning (today) she again, wanted nothing to do with her breakfast. 

On a whim, I soaked some dry kibble with some water, and she went to town on it. Didn't eat much, but was a very enthusiastic eater. Lunch time, ignored both the soaked dry food, and her wet food entirely. Dinner time, ignored her wet food and soaked kibble again. 

An hour ago, I found her on the counter top (she hasn't jumped up there in over a year now, so I figured it was the perfect place where she  nor my dog could get to it) happily attempting to munch away on some of her brothers dry kibble. The vet said to have her only on wet/soft foods, but she clearly has no desire to only eat wet or soft foods. She would take a mouthful, drop most of the pieces on the counter, and then pick them up again and eat some. 

I tried to mix in a few slightly moist pieces in with it, but she avoided those for the dry ones. Stubborn, silly cat. 

I'm going to call the vet and see if it's okay if she eats dry food now that's it 3 days after her surgery since she clearly has no desire to do wet foods only. 

I bought some fancy fresh pet refrigerated cat food from Whole Foods as well, thinking it would solve the kibble problem by giving them a soft alternative, but they both act like it's not food. I mixed some in with some temptations cat treats, and they spit it out. 

Just now, I heard her leap up there and is eating a few more pieces of the dry kibble. I put some wet food and some soaked pieces up there as well, but she's ignoring it. 

I'm also thinking of seeing if the vet thinks KMR or an adult cat liquid milk stuff would be okay to try giving her or soaking the dry food in. 

Hi jazzystar.I am sorry.I have also read & belong to the feline cancer group at yahoo.If you want the truth.treatment.how long ,meds etc these are the people you will want to talk to.They deal with all walks of life all over the world.Their link is

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FELINE-CANCER/info 

or the lymphoma group who has an Internist Dr.jory & make your posting to him.he knows about all cancers being an internist for 27 yrs. ATT: Dr.Jory new member oscc diagnosed or waiting for a

diagnosis need help. Their link is

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline_lymphoma/info 

Sending you positive strength to forge forward with what ever comes.You`re baby loves you. C.

So sorry to hear that your beautiful kitty is so ill. I do hope she stays somewhat stable and you get to enjoy much more time together. Just love her, cherish her, and spoil her. Enjoy every single moment you have with her. You obviously love her so much and she loves you in return. I truly wish you and your kitty all the best.
Take-Care of your precious kitty and yourself as well!

Thanks for the link @MomofMaxwell  I'll check them out and probably join.

In an act of desperation, (,and after reading how heating it up would increase the smell more then mixing it with water), I heated up a chicken and liver sheba pate in the microwave for 5 seconds, and she ate some of it!! When she lost interest, I mixed it with a little water, and she lapped up some of the liquid at least. 

Going to get some fish flavored stuff, and some temptation cat treats (since that's the one thing that makes her come running and she will eat with gusto) and see if that appeals to her. I'm iffy about feeding fish stuff, just because I've read that canned fish can be one of the contributing factors to oral cancer in cats. So I'm confused. But I figure at this point, it's worth trying.

I've read about Fancy feast being kitty crack, along with the fact that it is terrible for cats. Would trying fancy feast be that bad? 

I think what you should always keep in mind, and it sounds like you were doing that, is that QUALITY of life trumps QUANTITY of life every time.  If predisone makes her feel good, by all means give it to her.  If she needs pain reliever, give her that as well.  A friend of mine just went through losing her 11-year-old Manx to this.  She DID do the chemotherapy but feels it did nothing for the cat, although he didn't react badly to it until the end.  His eating got impossible and messy, ut he ate up until the end.  When it was clear that chemo wassn't stopping the tumor, she just focused on keeping him comfortable, which she did until the last day, and then she took him straight to her vet and sent him to the rainbow bridge with love.  It was heartbreaking though, even though she has 2 other cats, both 18 years old.  This one was her "baby" and the sweetest of her cats.  As synchronicity would have it, her best friend's Saluki dog, age 11, was diagnosed with the same thing last month and was only given 2 weeks to live.  The dog managed to geta month, and her riend spent every minute of the last month with the dog, having walks, special food, cuddles etc.  Each of them had gotten their special pet within a month of each other, and each of those pets was diagnosed with the same cancer within a month of each other, and each as put to sleep within a month of the other.  Both were well loved from beginning to end.  I'm really sorry your cat just got this diagnosis.  Keep him as comfortable as you can for as long as you can.  You will never be sorry.

Fancy Feast is NOT a bad food, just avoid the ones with "pieces & bits" because those have wheat gluten.  The loaf mixed with water should be great.  Try a very pure meat diet like EVO mixed with something else soft & tasty like Gerbers baby food chicken.  Then put some treats in a plastic bag and smash them with a hammer and sprinkle over the food -- that works with almost any cat! 

@Red Top Rescue  thank you so much for your advice and response! It was really helpful.

That's definitely my view point as well, quality trumps quantity. 

When you say your friends cat "ate up until the very end," what exactly do you mean by that? Do you mean that the day your friend went to send him to the rainbow bridge, he was still eating, or that the day he stopped eating, she sent him to the rainbow bridge?

That's what I'm struggling with, is worrying I won't know when the right time is for her to go join your friend's cat in the rainbow bridge. My mom says I'll know, as she won't want to eat at all or just won't generally seem happy or that she enjoys life; but it seems with this disease, that it takes awhile for the cat to get to that point? At least, that's my understanding. I just don't want her to suffer, but it also doesn't seem right to send her when she is purring and acting "normal." At the same time though, I don't want her to be slowly starving herself or have the amount of pain increasing. 

My mom (used to work as a vet tech) said that she can't imagine she feels very good with cancer in her jaw and teeth falling out, but she's not acting sick. It's just so upsetting. 

I'll be sure to pick up some evo as well and give that a try. They love kitty treats, so I think that should work. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

Jazzystarr

whatever you can get your baby to eat..You will find pates more palatable than the grilled form.Also calorie wise you may want to go with something like Wellness core grain free which is over 200 calories very palatable.Hill's A/D vet canned recovery food.180 calories per can.To some kitties it is kitty crack.Not mine but others.Very palatable & can add a little water to make a slurry & warmed.Whatever works.Don't count her out til the fat lady sings.I have seen many a miracle in my life.Savor each moment.Each wink.If it's nice outside take her outside in the grass if you have grass.Be with her.I lost my late Trixie to pancreatic cancer almost 3 yrs ago.She was 9.Just stopped eating one day.Next day on the table.Abdominal tumor next to the spleen but not a splenemic tumor.Most people would have said there good byes then.I attended the full surgery in scrubs etc.I told the vet to take it out.She did & I parked myself in front of her cage for the next 48 hrs.She was critical & the iv infusion machine shut off 8 times the first night.Good thing I knew how to restart it.This was not a 24 hr facility.The next day her eyes opened & she saw ME.I started syringe feeding her & pumping the food into her.The third day the light came back into her eyes.She came home with me with a fentanyl patch and I kept her in a large kennel the first night in my room with heating pad etc.She lived 99 days post diagnosis of one of the most ravenous forms of pancreatic cancer.Even though it was not growing off her pancreas but was feeding from all over the place.It was a beast.The vet phoned with the pathology report & told me to bring her down to put her to sleep.I said NOT.I took her camping For a week in the bush with our trailer.I have savored moments.Treasured times. I told her I'd never let her be in pain.Her last day was the hardest.She passed in my arms.But I have no regrets.if I never parked myself at the vet's i would have gotten a call in the morning she had passed.I have had that call too many times in my life having 17 angel kitts.So never lose hope.They thrive on your strength.Here is a pic of my girl Trixie.Maxwell's babe.She passed Dec 21/2012

jazzystarr22 said:

 
@Red Top Rescue  thank you so much for your advice and response! It was really helpful.

That's definitely my view point as well, quality trumps quantity. 

When you say your friends cat "ate up until the very end," what exactly do you mean by that? Do you mean that the day your friend went to send him to the rainbow bridge, he was still eating, or that the day he stopped eating, she sent him to the rainbow bridge?

That's what I'm struggling with, is worrying I won't know when the right time is for her to go join your friend's cat in the rainbow bridge. My mom says I'll know, as she won't want to eat at all or just won't generally seem happy or that she enjoys life; but it seems with this disease, that it takes awhile for the cat to get to that point? At least, that's my understanding. I just don't want her to suffer, but it also doesn't seem right to send her when she is purring and acting "normal." At the same time though, I don't want her to be slowly starving herself or have the amount of pain increasing. 

My mom (used to work as a vet tech) said that she can't imagine she feels very good with cancer in her jaw and teeth falling out, but she's not acting sick. It's just so upsetting. 

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He stopped eating the day before but had a good day enjoying the sun on the screen porch with the other two cats.  She went out to Tractor Supplyand got him kitten formula to get some nourishment in him with a syringe.  However the next morning he climbed head first into a paper bag and proceeded to release his bladder and just lay there.  She knew he was telling her he had had enough.  Her vet is just five minutes down the road.  I will send you a copy of her facebook description of the day before and then the day she took him.  It's too personal to post here for everyone, but she would want me to share it with you considering your situation.  He really did well until it was time to go, and he did well that day too.  He just made it obvious that he was done fighting this thing.

Sorry for being offline awhile, found out her biopsy results on Monday. Jazzy does indeed have cancer, and her vet estimated 2-3 months. It's the really bad one, where she will get really bad ulcers in her mouth soon. She has gotten sick of having her food in soup form now (and of kitten milk and chicken baby food), but has been eating heated HQ wet food and attempting to eat dry food that I leave out for her brother. She doesn't seem to be in any pain yet, as she's eating somewhat and has bitten me a couple times when I didn't pick her up fast enough.

Some people may disagree with my choice, but I've decided that I am going to send her to kitty heaven before she is in pain or gets ulcers. I'm waiting for her vet to get back to me on an approximate time line for how long until she starts getting worse before deciding on a date. I've decided that I don't want her to experience being hungry but physically unable to eat because it hurts too much, or painful ulcers. I want her last weeks and days to be 100% happy, and none of them bad. I'm going to let her go to the rainbow bridge before the decline starts. I'd rather being a week too early then a second too late. 

I'm not giving up on her, I'm just refusing to let her suffer unnecessarily. She doesn't need to experience all those bad things when I can easily prevent it. I believe that after a lifetime together, it's the last kindness I can give to her.  

@Red Top Rescue  thank you so much for your response and pm. It really has helped me. 

Hi Jazzystarr.It is a very difficult decision to make but I Believe you are doing the right thing by her,She loves you more than  life & wants you to remember her being whole & healthy.This form is truly awful as you know..I know many who have gone the other route grasping at everything only for it to fail.Those memories would stay instilled in them forever.It is the one biggest,hardest,loving gifts you can give to a Furbaby you Love so much.I have been there.But you know inside and that is truly what you go with.Your heart.You will be reunited when your time comes and she will come a running at the Bridge when she hears you call her.We always say we will not let them suffer.That would be truly suffering & she would have no release from it.You are her Mom & her release.Hugs during this very trying time & strength.Cindy

I am truly sorry on your Jazzy's cancer diagnosis. It is so heartbreaking, and I can feel your pain right now. We always wish it is something else as cancer is a terrible disease. I lost my Mickey from cancer so I do understand. Enjoy the time you have with her. Love her, spoil her, and comfort her. Do what your heart says as you are truly the only one that knows what is best for both you and your kitty. Just know that we are all here for you and are crying along with you.
Take care of Jazzy and yourself as well.
Hugs to you both!

Thank you so much Cindy and @Loving Mickey  for your kind words.