Does my cat have mouth cancer?... (photo's included).

I have a 17 year old female cat.  Three years ago I found a lump on her top gum, the vet initially said it was cancer and as it was on her gum there was nothing he could do, this was a visual diagnosis by the way.  I've always had cats and all apart from one have died from mouth cancer at old age so I know the score, I shed my tears, spoilt her more than usual preparing myself for the inevitable but two and a half years later she was still going strong, on some medication for arthritis but generally healthy for an old girl, the vet then put this down to being a cyst of some kind and not cancer.

Two months ago I noticed a change in her, you know your own cat don't you?!  Apart from a change in her usual cheeky attitude she started licking just the gravy from her food and leaving the meaty lumps.  I took her to the vet who couldn't see any difference in her cyst and said (I quote), "at 6.5 kilo's I wouldn't worry, it will do her good to lose a bit of weight".  I left feeling a little as though I had over-reacted and felt a bit stupid.

Another month passed and I wasn't happy, she wasn't eating any meaty lumps, only blended food.  She also gulps after eating as if to heave but swallows and is fine and she is sick in the morning upon waking around 3 days per week.  Breathing difficulties have been noticed in her, she lays with her head extended hanging low off the bed and sometimes pants (expecially at the vets).  Her resps also go into the 60's / 70's sometimes when relaxing on her bed and she barely sleeps in a deep stretched out sleep as she used to do all the time, the only time she goes into a deep slumber is for an hour or two after her medication, I feel uncomfortable watching her not sleep (if that makes sense).  I took her to a different vet for a second opinion.  I pointed out the cyst and the vet immediately noticed a little hole in it which she said is an infected sinus hole.  She was given an anti-biotic injection to last 2 weeks and full bloods were also taken.

Her bloods have come back fine for her age and the next step is to remove the tooth.  It's only 2 years since I paid over £1000 for my last cat to have teeth out and four weeks later we were saying goodbye as it was cancer that had spread.  

I have added two photo's of the cyst at slightly different angles (the best I could do), a photo of her laying and also a video of her standing, as you can see in the video she constantly (and I mean constantly) flinches the muscles in her back (she has no fleas), could this be pain?  She's gone from a bright eyed cheeky monkey you see taken only 3 months ago on my profile photo to the cat you see in the video and laying down.

I suppose I'm asking how likely this is to spread to something more sinister, am I likely to be facing the same end in a few weeks if I allow her to have the tooth out?  It's not the money, it's putting my nervous old girl who is terrified of the carrier and the vet through all this for the sake of a few weeks.  She has perked up a bit since having the anti-biotic injection but is this a temporary fix?

So sorry for the long post but if anyone has any knowledge I would be so grateful for your time.  My internet access is slightly temperamental at the moment but I will reply asap.

Kind regards & thanks in advance from me and my old moggie :-) x

How hard to be going through this, and worrying as it is so similar to what you went through with your other cat.  17 is a very good age for a cat but also a point where you always hope you are going to have a good few more years with them.  (I know that's how I felt anyway, and one stayed with me to almost 22).

If neither of the vets you took your cat to see said they thought the cyst looked worrying then try to believe this, and look to see if you see changes again as the antibiotics do their work.  Hopefully this second vet will be right with treating for infection.  The other changes you have noticed in her may also be down to an infection so fingers crossed you will see postive changes and some return to her usual behaviours before you have to go back for the dental work.   If you are not seeing her improve before your next vet appointment and the dental surgery has been scheduled in, it would be an idea to call the vets to talk through how she is, what you are worrying about, and your worries about how much surgery and trauma you might be putting her through.  It can be really hard remembering all your questions when you are actually at the surgery and most vets are happy to answer questions like this if you call them up, esp as it can avoid unnecessary, stressful appiointments for the animals.

Hoping your vet is right here and that the changes you are seeing are down to an infection and you see your cat return to her usual self very soon.  

Thanks for your advice, will the mass also be removed or just the tooth?  The first vet wouldn't touch it as they said they would be removing part of her gum which would leave her worse off.  Will there be biopsies on the mass and is there usually a full mouth & throat inspection while under anaesthetic?  Sorry for the questions, I will speak to the vet but she's only part time in this practice so it's sometimes hard catching her.

Thanks in advance again from me and old Four Paws :-)

I was going to ask why the lump cannot be removed but your Vet says it's because it's part of the gum?  I do see you have consulted a second Vet.  My girl had a lump that looked much like that and hers was successfully removed at age 15.  Perhaps hers did not intrude into the gum as much as your girl's does.  Anyway, Twitchy was perfectly fine with the anaesthetic and the surgery.  No teeth were involved in her cancer, which was a melanoma.  Good wishes for an easy recovery whatever the Vet thinks is best to do.

@Deneizen  I don't know if your vet plans to remove any more than the tooth when they have your cat under aneasthetic, but I would certainly expect them to carry out a full examination of the mouth, and if possible the throat while she is under.  Do try to contact them if you are not sure what they will do: if you can email your vet surgery this might be easier for both of you given you say they are part time.  Many vets are happy to respond to email questions, and also to receive updated information about a cat this way as it can save them a lot of time in surgery consultations.

When are you scheduled to take your precdious old girl back in to the vet?  Is it after the antibiotics have been finished?

Yes she wanted to see her two weeks after the anti-biotic injection.  I have printed off a letter for the vet updating her symptoms and including my email address.  She has been snorting in her sleep which is new, it might not be relevant but I have noted it for the vet.

Must be really hard for you watching her go through all this and worrying about her.    Giving as much information as you can to the vet is the best thing you can do for your cat so hang on in there.  It is always good to note everything you see / hear that is different and let the vet decide whether it's relevant - the more full the picture they have of things the more information they have to work on for diagnosis and treatment.

I'm not sure how far in to the 2 weeks you are at this point, but if you feel she is showing more signs of being in pain or discomfort there is no harm in making contact with the vet if you can to tell them all this.  They might think things are fine and not to worry or they might say bring her in a bit sooner so they can check her over again.   

Crossing my fingers for your cat! Stay strong.

Our Neely was diagnosed with cancer of the mandible during dental surgery.  First x-rays were taken followed by a biopsy.  She was having a great deal of difficulty eating so the vet prescribed Piroxicam.  I thought you might be interested in this medication as it helps with pain and inflammation.

Best of luck to you, sending special thoughts your way.

Thank you so much everyone.  I couldn't stop her vomiting this morning, it started quite brown looking like diarrhea and eventually looked like a yellow foam, it lasted around 2 hours. I contacted the out of hours (as it's Sunday) for advice and they said not to worry as it wasn't an emergency. It has never happened before, she is usually sick once and then goes to her food but this was different, she was crying out while she was licking her lips getting ready to heave which can only lead me to believe it was painful for her. Obviousuly my first thought was to smooth her and reassure her but each time I touched her sides she cried. She was also running back and forth the litter tray with diahorrea and urinating.

I am taking her to the vet tomorrow (Monday) but any ideas on what may have caused this?

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied / comented. x

That sounds awful @Deneizen.   I'm sorry my  response has been slow but was down to time zones and me having a nasty migraine today - how is your precious girl?   I would be as worried as you, and surprised the vet surgery said not to go in.  Have you had the appointment yet, or any news?    I have my fingers and toes all crossed for you that she settled once the vomitting stopped and you managed to get some fluids and perhaps a little food in to her.   Thinking of you.