2 Cats 2 Problems - UPDATE! LUMP UNDER CHIN TURNED OUT TO BE TUMOR No Cure!

Even though I had an appointment set with my old nasty mean vet Sunday, my gut told me to use the vet recommended to me by a reliable source.  Glad I did, at least I know now. 

As it turned out, the lump under Simon's chin is a large tumor.  They prescribed ClindaMed liquid drops 2x's a day to fix infection and said as long as he's eating and has good quality of life, enjoy him while we still have time.  At first I was surprised this new vet didn't even do a blood test or recommend anything else be done, he was a straight shooter, which I appreciated. He said to remove it they would have to remove half his jaw, he said putting him through chemo wouldn't help but would recommend an oncologist if we wanted, since we can't remove it, treatment like that would ruin his quality of life.  We are to keep an eye on the growth, but be mindful we will be faced with the hard truth of having to say goodbye, sooner than later.

I know if I went to my usual vet they would have ran all kinds of tests, costing us $$$$$$$, when I called them this morning to discuss my girls meds, they were nasty, told me to call back in 3 hours because computers were down, then I was told the vet would speak to me, only to be told what to do by the receptionist.  This made me make the executive decision to call the recommended vet ASAP.  I could tell Simon was a bit more swollen and couldn't wait for the weekend.

My word to anyone reading this, if you feel a lump under chin take your cat to the vet ASAP.  Also, if you feel you're not being heard by your vet, or if your vet has no time to listen to your concerns, FIND A NEW ONE!  No one should be treated like this.  If a vet can't take into consideration how much WE LOVE OUR WEE ONES and don't want to educate us on what may be wrong with them, then they're in the wrong business.  What happened to compassion!  I knew as soon as I spoke to the front desk at the new vet,  I was going to be treated with respect.

I wish the outcome was only the tooth, but that's not gods plan apparently.  I'm beside myself, heartbroken.  I truly understand what members in Crossing the Bridge are going through, and I am so very sorry you have to experience this emotion.  

Simon at 3 weeks                                               Simon at 5 months

     
   

I would probably see the oncologist for a consult for my own piece of mind.

Somewhere in the search to save our pets at any cost and the availability of high cost testing and treatment it becomes even more important for a veterinarian to give pet owners information about the possible outcome and quality of life before they strip their bank accounts.

I am so sorry this is happening to Simon and you. It's not fair and never will be when we are faced with these situations.

I wish there were word that could truly comfort you. Just know that 24/7 you will always find someone here to bend an ear. cry to or just vent.

I'm sorry for your news. Simon is a handsome kitty.

I'm so sorry to hear this Just love him as much as possible. I know you already have been, I'm sure, but it's a bit different when someone tells you it'll be sooner than you expected.

Hello @Kittens Mom, I did, even though I knew this was a bad situation I had to know for sure.  I called several oncologists 2 recommended by the vet and saw 1  referred by my neighbor, when my neighbor took a look she much confirmed what the vet said.  I went through all the questions, if I didn't postpone his physical last year could this have been detected earlier, the answer I got was NO.   If I took him in 4 weeks ago, could anything have been done, answer NO.  From what they could tell, the SCC adhered to the bone.  Putting him under to get an xray wasn't necessary and would put additional stress on him.

While I feel a little better knowing this wasn't happening because of any neglect on my part (which was my first thought) it's baffling to me what a common occurrence this is in cats, especially males. The tumor is Squanous Cell Carcimoma, and now thinking back to the Fall he began some of the sypmtoms: drooling and bad breath.  But it wasn't until January when the lump appeared.

On the up side, the tumor is on the left side and seems to have stopped spreading for now even though it came on fast, the vet said his lymph nodes are fine, he's hydrated. The medication seems to be working already, swelling in his mouth is going down, his eating is healthy. Bottom line, the outcome is the same, with treatment or without, his entire left side of his jaw would have to be removed.   He's too proud and wouldn't be the same cat.

He's a very sheltered kitty, our home is quiet, and yesterday was a traumatic experience for him, since the end result is horrific, I'm going for quality of life,  I'll play with him as long as he's willing and give him  ice cream and lick cheese that he loves.  I'm sure I'll flip flop with this emotion, but I can't help thinking about that end result.  I'm still researching though.

When we got home yesterday, I was petting him and he looked at me with the expression of, "Well I knew, now you know"...

I'm hoping we have him until June 2nd our 13th anniversary.  One good thing is he put on a pound, he's keeping his food down which is rare, pooping regular which is really rare,  if the swelling goes down more, and tumor doesn't grow, we can be good for a while, regardless it's borrowed time.

In the mean time, I have his sister to tend to with kidney issues.  I was told to read your thread on Baytril.  I'm having issues with my old vet and over medicating.

Thanks again.  

 

Thank you.  If the meds work and bring down the inflammation in his mouth, and the tumor slows down, we could see a year.  If it keeps up the rapid growth, then like the vet said, Simon will let us know it's time.  It's such a strange feeling.  I'll keep researching and do my homework.  Now that we know what his story is, I can get back to Chestnuts kidney issues and her Baytril issues.

I'm surprised how common this tumor/cancer is and even the crystals are.  We had cats growing up, many years ago, and they ate the dogs crappy Ken-L Ration dog food and lived to be 26 years old. These days, it seems cats are getting sicker than ever.  I don't understand why.

Thanks again.  

Thank you.  Yes, he's my handsome boy.  My Pride & Joy.  

I'm so sorry. I lost a cat to a jaw tumor (exceptionally rapid), and currently my eldest has several tumors on the side of his face (it's been about nine months since we spotted the first tumor, which was removed, but unfortunately a bunch grew back).

I told my eldest last summer to stick around until November so we could have our 13th anniversary, too. He made that date.

Good luck.

RampionRampage said:

 
I'm so sorry. I lost a cat to a jaw tumor (exceptionally rapid), and currently my eldest has several tumors on the side of his face (it's been about nine months since we spotted the first tumor, which was removed, but unfortunately a bunch grew back).

I told my eldest last summer to stick around until November so we could have our 13th anniversary, too. He made that date.

Good luck.

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This is such a crazy tumor, I can't believe I've been blind to the fact this could even happen.  It's so common which is blowing my mind.  Hopefully 13 will prove to be a lucky number for us as well.  I'm going to take it day by day, he's on the med and is responding well to it and is actually a good boy at taking it.  After we finish, I'm to call the vet, if he looks good, swelling goes down and tumor slows, we can bring him back for follow up.  I feel terrible because his sister was sick these past few weeks and I thought he was responding to her illness, when in fact he was also in trouble.

This Cat Site certainly has many back threads regarding this issue, I'm glued.  Hoping for a cure, but I know in my heart...

I'm sorry for your loss, it's just heartbreaking.  Thank  you for your response/  best to you.

I felt that way about Katie, that I should have noticed sooner. Regardless, there was nothing to be done that wasn't so radical/against her general temperament that it was an option.

After her, I check my cats mouths/chins semi-regularly (I always checked their teeth, but not so much the jaw), which is how I caught Tyb's fairly early.

Live and learn, and dont' judge yourself too harshly.

Thank you, this is a thought I think of every few minutes.  He was our first cat since I was a little kid.  I hate saying it, but in the future, I'll now be educated on these horrific diseases.   I guess it's part of the process of letting this news sink in.  Thanks again.