Squamous Cell Carcinoma in kitty's mouth

In September, my 15 year old kitty was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. A tumor was discovered when he was having his teeth cleaned and some extracted. Treatment wasn't an option. In the last several weeks, the tumor has gotten large and he's having increasing difficulty eating. He is on pain medication once a day. I am fearing that we are in his last days. It's so hard to know when it's time to say goodbye. My heart is broken and I am in agony. Has anyone else had a kitty experience this horrible, aggressive cancer?

I had one removed from my chest last year. I'm very sorry for you and your kitty.   

Hi roxanne76 I came on here to look up this very subject. My 18 year old cat was diagnosed with this awful cancer in November, so I understand the sadness and helplessness you are feeling. My boy is on buprenorphine 3x a day to help with the pain. Luckily he's still eating pretty well. I blend uo his wet food in some water to make it easier for him to eat. His tumor is growing rapidly so I'm worried he will get to the point where even that is too hard to eat. It's terrible watching our babies deteriorate in front of our eyes :-( I was looking in to cbd oil for him. Has anyone used that for their cat?

kitkats5 said:

Hi roxanne76 I came on here to look up this very subject. My 18 year old cat was diagnosed with this awful cancer in November, so I understand the sadness and helplessness you are feeling. My boy is on buprenorphine 3x a day to help with the pain. Luckily he's still eating pretty well. I blend uo his wet food in some water to make it easier for him to eat. His tumor is growing rapidly so I'm worried he will get to the point where even that is too hard to eat. It's terrible watching our babies deteriorate in front of our eyes :-( I was looking in to cbd oil for him. Has anyone used that for their cat?

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I am a human doctor, not a veterinarian, and any advice that I give you should be checked by your vet.  CBD oil is a cannabinoid derivative, and is certainly indicated for pain in human terminal care.   The use of Marijuana derivatives has only just been legalised for human, unrelieved pain in terminal care in New South Wales, one of the Australian States, where I live, but I have not yet any experience of it's use.   I believe it is still illegal for veterinary use in New South Wales.

The use of cannabinoid derivatives would theoretically be very useful for a cat with an inoperable cancer, however I advise you to discuss the legality of its use and the feline dosage, if legal, with your vet before using it.   

With all best wishes,

Geoffrey

Geoffrey said:

I am a human doctor, not a veterinarian, and any advice that I give you should be checked by your vet.  CBD oil is a cannabinoid derivative, and is certainly indicated for pain in human terminal care.   The use of Marijuana derivatives has only just been legalised for human, unrelieved pain in terminal care in New South Wales, one of the Australian States, where I live, but I have not yet any experience of it's use.   I believe it is still illegal for veterinary use in New South Wales.

The use of cannabinoid derivatives would theoretically be very useful for a cat with an inoperable cancer, however I advise you to discuss the legality of its use and the feline dosage, if legal, with your vet before using it.   

With all best wishes,
Geoffrey

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Thank you for the information Geoffrey. The cbd oils I've found are THC free and and from what I've seen, legal here in the US. I will definitely liok further into it though. Do you know anything about using buprenorphine and cbd oils together?

Kitkats5, I am so sorry your kitty is struggling with the same cancer! It is so awful to see them in this condition. My heart just aches and it has been an emotional roller coaster since his diagnosis. My poor, sweet friend is having a difficult time eating now and paws at his mouth like he's trying to remove or dislodge something. I have a difficult phone call to make tomorrow and I'm dreading it. He's been my best friend for 15 wonderful years and I wish I had 15 more to enjoy his companionship.

Cancer is a cruel and ruthless toward all living things. My heart goes out to you and anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one to this horrible disease. I'm thinking of you and praying for you. You aren't alone. **Hugs**

KittyPa said:

I had one removed from my chest last year. I'm very sorry for you and your kitty.   

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I am sorry you had a personal experience with this horrible disease! Thank you for responding. I love my little kitty friend and am having a very difficult time with all of this. Best to you!

kitkats5 said:

 

Geoffrey said:

I am a human doctor, not a veterinarian, and any advice that I give you should be checked by your vet.  CBD oil is a cannabinoid derivative, and is certainly indicated for pain in human terminal care.   The use of Marijuana derivatives has only just been legalised for human, unrelieved pain in terminal care in New South Wales, one of the Australian States, where I live, but I have not yet any experience of it's use.   I believe it is still illegal for veterinary use in New South Wales.

The use of cannabinoid derivatives would theoretically be very useful for a cat with an inoperable cancer, however I advise you to discuss the legality of its use and the feline dosage, if legal, with your vet before using it.   

With all best wishes,
Geoffrey

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Thank you for the information Geoffrey. The cbd oils I've found are THC free and and from what I've seen, legal here in the US. I will definitely liok further into it though. Do you know anything about using buprenorphine and cbd oils together?

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It may be that one potentiates the other.  Alternatively they would have an additive effect.  Whatever, you should mention to the vet that your cat is on buprenorphine, an opioid, when you discuss the matter.

Best wishes,

Geoffrey

roxanne76,

Please speak to your vet, ask if he can consult a feline oncologist for other options - his pain medication may also need to be increased to 2-3 times a day, depending on what medication he's on.  Buprenorphine, for example, can be dosed low (but at an effective dose) in order to be given 3-4 times a day, please talk to your vet about this.

If he's otherwise healthy, was surgical removal discussed with you, at least for temporary measures?  This is where the oncologist's opinion would be helpful.  Squamous cell is the absolute worst, but ask your vet for an oncologist's opinion.

As for the post about cannabis oil, there's no studies or evidence that it should be used in pets (there's barely enough evidence in humans beyond aid in vomiting and appetite).  Should anyone choose such option, ask your vets for studies with evidence. 

roxanne76 said:

Kitkats5, I am so sorry your kitty is struggling with the same cancer! It is so awful to see them in this condition. My heart just aches and it has been an emotional roller coaster since his diagnosis. My poor, sweet friend is having a difficult time eating now and paws at his mouth like he's trying to remove or dislodge something. I have a difficult phone call to make tomorrow and I'm dreading it. He's been my best friend for 15 wonderful years and I wish I had 15 more to enjoy his companionship.

Cancer is a cruel and ruthless toward all living things. My heart goes out to you and anyone that has experienced the loss of a loved one to this horrible disease. I'm thinking of you and praying for you. You aren't alone. **Hugs**

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Thank you roxanne76. It really is sn emotional roller coaster. I'm sorry you and your sweet friend are going through this also. My baby would paw at his mouth from time to time. The buprenorphine really helps. What kind of pain med is your kitty on? If it's bup, ask the vet if you can increase the dosage. My guy gets it 3 times a day. If it's not bup, ask your vet for a prescription. Praying for you and your kitty! Hugs...

Geoffrey said:

It may be that one potentiates the other.  Alternatively they would have an additive effect.  Whatever, you should mention to the vet that your cat is on buprenorphine, an opioid, when you discuss the matter.
Best wishes,
Geoffrey

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Thank you Geoffrey. I will definitely talk to my vet.