Feline Fibroid Sarcoma Papilloma

[JavierG]

So poor Lola, is yet again afflicted with ANOTHER ailment. First she was diagnosed with pre-kidney disease and was put on a diet which she finds less than tasteful, then she finds out there is a new Kitten in the house (Taffy) which she found offensive and a horrific change to her peaceful life as a loner. But for past few months she has also been dealing with growths in her mouth. She went through a surgery to remove once already, but sadly it’s growing back. See pic

the options are to wait it out to see if it bothers her or if it keeps growing, or remove the growth again to give short term comfort, but will almost certainly grow back, or remove the growth along with her teeth where the virus is likely residing, which Vet said gives a better chance to stop it, but no guarantee

we have opted a wait and see approach. It seems it’s either that or choose to remove her teeth. But I am just hesitant to do that. They say cats actually do well without teeth but mentally it seems wrong. There is no going back once they take them out.

has anyone else dealt with this? The dr said it’s called Feline Fibroid Sarcoma Papilloma. I likely mixed those up

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

My goodness, she certainly HAS had a lot going on, poor girl. I'm so sorry.

I don't have any personal experience with Feline Fibrosarcoma Pipilloma, but from what I have read about it, it does tend to return, and is very aggressive

It is true that cats do very well without their teeth...one of mine has very few teeth left and you certainly wouldn't know it to see him eat some of his harder treats. I do feed him soft food, always have, but some of his treats are pretty hard and that doesn't seem to bother him one little bit. But my fear is that even if Lola's teeth are all removed, these tumors may still return. Did you happen to ask the Vet if she were his cat, what would he do? I usually do that when something like this happens and there are choices to be made. But I have a very trusting relationship with my Vet, which makes a difference.

Sending you good vibes and you travel this path

 

[FeebysOwner]

Has your vet mentioned consulting with an internal med specialist and/or a specialty group? Sometimes, their exposure to many conditions extend far beyond those of a 'general vet', and they may have some valuable input/options for you and your vet.

 

[JavierG]

My goodness, she certainly HAS had a lot going on, poor girl. I'm so sorry.

I don't have any personal experience with Feline Fibrosarcoma Pipilloma, but from what I have read about it, it does tend to return, and is very aggressive

It is true that cats do very well without their teeth...one of mine has very few teeth left and you certainly wouldn't know it to see him eat some of his harder treats. I do feed him soft food, always have, but some of his treats are pretty hard and that doesn't seem to bother him one little bit. But my fear is that even if Lola's teeth are all removed, these tumors may still return. Did you happen to ask the Vet if she were his cat, what would he do? I usually do that when something like this happens and there are choices to be made. But I have a very trusting relationship with my Vet, which makes a difference.

Sending you good vibes and you travel this path

Didn’t ask that but she said that even removing the teeth is no guarantee it won’t come back. Plus she said it would likely deform her a bit around the mouth. If I KNEW it would solve the problem, I would do it. But to go through the expense again, have Lola go through surgery to remove her teeth only go possibly be in the same place. I figured a wait and see approach is best. But she is acting strange, Lola has always sought to be around the family. Wherever we are so is she. But she is not warm and cuddly. But now she follows me and if I lie down she comes to me, looks me in the eye and meows. She even taps me with her paws to get my attention. I feel I need to do something but maybe that something is wait and see. I don’t know

 

[JavierG]

Has your vet mentioned consulting with an internal med specialist and/or a specialty group? Sometimes, their exposure to many conditions extend far beyond those of a 'general vet', and they may have some valuable input/options for you and your vet.

Well our vet clinic also has a dental vet, who is also involved. Maybe not the same but I feel comfortable they were knowledgeable. At least it matched what I saw online

 

[FeebysOwner]

I was thinking more along the lines of a specialty group that has varying staff, such as internal med, infectious disease (viral) and oncology. In the meantime, maybe ask the vet about some pain meds to see if that might help her? A lot of vets go for gabapentin, which can or cannot do much, while others go for things like buprenorphine. The latter is usually a very, very small dose (e.g. 0.1ml) given in an oral syringe and administered in the cheek, generally twice a day. It is not enough to swallow and is intended to be absorbed in the mucous membranes of the mouth for the most effect.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Didn’t ask that but she said that even removing the teeth is no guarantee it won’t come back. Plus she said it would likely deform her a bit around the mouth. If I KNEW it would solve the problem, I would do it. But to go through the expense again, have Lola go through surgery to remove her teeth only go possibly be in the same place. I figured a wait and see approach is best. But she is acting strange, Lola has always sought to be around the family. Wherever we are so is she. But she is not warm and cuddly. But now she follows me and if I lie down she comes to me, looks me in the eye and meows. She even taps me with her paws to get my attention. I feel I need to do something but maybe that something is wait and see. I don’t know

Definitely a cunundrum. Some cats get clingy when ill, others withdraw. I totally understand not wanting to put her through another surgery when in all likelihood it will come back again at some point, even removing all her teeth, or at least all the ones in that area. Perhaps FeebysOwner 's suggestion of pain medication is the right move
?