The vet just found a mass attached to the under part of my cat's tongue. It's the same color as her tongue and quite large. After doing several tests and seeing two different vets, I still don't know what it is. She is 18 with hyper thyroid and renal disease, so a biopsy of the mass is not an option unfortunately. She is still eating, drinking and does not appear to be in any pain. Anyone have a kitty with something similar?
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Mass in cat's mouth
- Thread starter julie16
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Is it growing at all that you can notice?
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- #3
I just noticed it a week ago and as of now it looks the same size. The problem is that I don't know when it started growing.
What testing has been done so far?
To be perfectly honest, while I am not a vet, I don't think it is going to be something that is no big deal.
Basically because of her age and unable to anesthetize her, so no biopsy nor removal.
It may very well be some non malignant growth, but due to her age it might be something more.
It sounds like you don't have any real options, so be upset about it of course, but then try to accept it and let it go, love her and know she has had a good long life, but keep an eye out on it growing and causing her discomfort.
It may not grow any more at all, hard to know, but as long as she is able to eat fine and it's not painful for her to eat, it's about all you can do.
To be perfectly honest, while I am not a vet, I don't think it is going to be something that is no big deal.
Basically because of her age and unable to anesthetize her, so no biopsy nor removal.
It may very well be some non malignant growth, but due to her age it might be something more.
It sounds like you don't have any real options, so be upset about it of course, but then try to accept it and let it go, love her and know she has had a good long life, but keep an eye out on it growing and causing her discomfort.
It may not grow any more at all, hard to know, but as long as she is able to eat fine and it's not painful for her to eat, it's about all you can do.
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- #5
They did the type of test where a needle was injected into the mass to pull out cells to look at under the microscope. It came back inconclusive.
Well, that's a type of biopsy.
For the very best of online advice around cancers - or, possible cancers - I would be joining the specialized online feline cancer group. They have been around for the past 17 years and almost 3000 people and their cats have been members there. You'll find those people right here: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/feline-cancer/info Get yourself a new separate email addy to use for this (email is their operating platform). I'd also suggest getting copies of the pathology reports - you'll be able to post them and get feedback/suggestions.....there's more in those reports than "inconclusive".
Keep us posted too !
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- #7
Thank you! This has been very helpful.
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- #8
I've been to two different vets now and still have no resolution. I feel like they aren't willing to be aggressive and creative with possible treatments for my cat since she is 18. I'm very frustrated and feel helpless. As she is still eating abd showing no signs of being in pain, I'm not ready to give up on her. Any advice?
I too believe that because of her advanced age I myself wouldn't put her through all the pain and stress of surgery and possible cancer treatments, that would be like doing cancer surgery on a hundred year old human. Anesthesia has it's own dangers and for the elderly it is much more dangerous. I had an elderly cat that was put on Prednisone for mouth tumors and it shrunk them dramatically and allowed him two more years of symptom free life, you might ask your vet about it. I know it can be hard on the kidneys though, but my cat had really no other choice and did fine. I hid the tiny pill in a pill pocket and stuck it to a piece of bacon. Some days I crushed the pill and sprinkled it on whatever he was eating.
I know it is devastating to see your loved one with this, but if she is obviously in no pain and is eating and drinking, accept it for the unknown it is and just love her and make her remaining time here on this earth full of your love and care. I'll pray for you both, i can feel your love and concern for that sweet baby and hope everything turns out for you both!
I know it is devastating to see your loved one with this, but if she is obviously in no pain and is eating and drinking, accept it for the unknown it is and just love her and make her remaining time here on this earth full of your love and care. I'll pray for you both, i can feel your love and concern for that sweet baby and hope everything turns out for you both!
We started going to a VCA where the vet we use is a cat advocate. I just don't think you've found the right vet. I can't imagine the vet we have now dismissing a cat because of age. We don't always like the answers a vet gives us. But we should feel satisfied with their evaluation. I would go for that third vet and see if you get the same feedback.
Palliative care is a valid treatment.
Have you been to a cat-only vet? It might be that your kitty's problem is something relatively rare that a regular vet might not recognize. Still, it seems there is a dilemma here for any vet. There is only so much testing they can do given the constraints of her medical issues and age. So, how can they really recommend treatment if they don't know the problem? I hope you find someone who can answer your questions. It is so terrible to feel helpless in the face of something like this. You want to give your girl the best.
I think there is something here you may want to ask about trying on her.
The prednisone shrinking it, whatever it is, at least it's something rather than that helpless day to day thinking that there must be something you can do.
See what either vet think about this?
My cat of almost 18 years had a large mass under his tongue I didn't know that thought he had a bad tooth he couldnt eat just drink water he lost a lot of weight I had him put down and creamated he's in my livingroom my sweet baby Beaudean
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- #15
I've been to two different vets, one a regular vet and the other a feline only vet. Neither can help me and they just say, "wait and see what happens." I'm taking my cat to an oncologist tomorrow and hope to have a positive experience. I know because of her age and underlying health issues there is not much to be done, but she's got tons of life left in her, so I will do everything possible to help her.
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- #16
After seeing an oncologist at Blue Pearl in NYC who basically said just by looking in her mouth that is was most certain she had squamous cell carcinoma, I've decided to try alternative medicine. Two vets and one oncologist can offer her no treatment that won't be life threatening. I still have a beautiful cat that is active, happy and eating even with a large tumor in her mouth. I'm not giving up yet because she hasn't and I honesty don't believe the prognosis of 4-6 months to live. I'm hoping and praying Dr Elliot can help her with holistic remedies! Has anyone gone the alternative median approach with cancer in cats?
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Hi Julie!
Squamous cell carcinoma is a very painful and rapidly growing cancer. The biopsy would have shown that. Did you send the lab results from the biopsy to anyone else? My Kiara had a mass in her mouth that didn't seem to bother her at first. She started pawing at her mouth like she did when she had tartar build up so I went to get her teeth cleaned and they found the mass and took a piece and sent it in. It came back squamous cell carcinoma. She was gone just a little after that. You should get a more definite answer for your baby. I truly hope that it isn't cancer. I didn't have enough time to do anything for my girl. Just pain medicine, sub q fluids and my love.
Squamous cell carcinoma is a very painful and rapidly growing cancer. The biopsy would have shown that. Did you send the lab results from the biopsy to anyone else? My Kiara had a mass in her mouth that didn't seem to bother her at first. She started pawing at her mouth like she did when she had tartar build up so I went to get her teeth cleaned and they found the mass and took a piece and sent it in. It came back squamous cell carcinoma. She was gone just a little after that. You should get a more definite answer for your baby. I truly hope that it isn't cancer. I didn't have enough time to do anything for my girl. Just pain medicine, sub q fluids and my love.
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- #18
I'm so sorry to hear about your cat [emoji]128543[/emoji]. Unfortunately, I cannot get a boipsy done as she is 18 and it's way too risky to have her go under anesthesia. All I could have done was the needle aspiration which produced inconclusive results.
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Thank you 
Mine was 19 when she went under for the cleaning. I was anxious and nervous but my vet said her blood work was great and she was in good health but I do understand not wanting to risk it. In a way, I wish he would have looked at her mouth and said it was most likely cancer as opposed to taking the biopsy. For one, she was already uncomfortable from the cleaning and then she had these stitches in her mouth too. I would have never had the cleaning done if they saw the mass to begin with. I am so sorry that you and your kitty are going through this. Mine couldn't eat or drink easily because of the pain and the mass. It was heartbreaking to watch her try, I am so glad that yours is eating and aside from the mass she is doing everything normally. I hope you are able to find some alternative remedies!!
Mine was 19 when she went under for the cleaning. I was anxious and nervous but my vet said her blood work was great and she was in good health but I do understand not wanting to risk it. In a way, I wish he would have looked at her mouth and said it was most likely cancer as opposed to taking the biopsy. For one, she was already uncomfortable from the cleaning and then she had these stitches in her mouth too. I would have never had the cleaning done if they saw the mass to begin with. I am so sorry that you and your kitty are going through this. Mine couldn't eat or drink easily because of the pain and the mass. It was heartbreaking to watch her try, I am so glad that yours is eating and aside from the mass she is doing everything normally. I hope you are able to find some alternative remedies!! - Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #20
Thank you! The holistic vet has suggested I give her these:
https://www.petreleaf.com/product/hemp-oil
http://www.wellpetdispensary.com/stasis-breaker/
I'm hoping to see some results for my little fur baby. I want her to make it to her 19th birthday in April.
https://www.petreleaf.com/product/hemp-oil
http://www.wellpetdispensary.com/stasis-breaker/
I'm hoping to see some results for my little fur baby. I want her to make it to her 19th birthday in April.
