Advice please, my cat has cancer

[brazen_irish_hussy]

So I posted a week ago that my cat had a very odd lump removed from her tail. The tests came back sooner than expected and she has a very rare cancer called fiberous sarcoma. It is unlikely to cause many problems if we get it taken care of right away, but if we don't the lumps will keep coming back and could spread and be very dangerous if they do. Taking care of it means getting her tail amputated. Before we do this I had some questions you guys might know the answers to. I would REALLY appreciate any advice, none of the cats I have had ever had health problems, my parents oldest is 20, so I really don't know how to handle this or what to ask about. I really hope Bee sees this as I know she would have some knowledge about it.

My biggest question is about cats without tails. Has anyone had anything like this done? My uncle has 2 Manx and my mom's BFF has a cat that lost her tail, but she was less than a year, so they were used to it. What should I expect for a seven year old cat? Will her balance always be off or will it be temporary? Will she really notice a difference? Does something this drastic makes changes to their personality? I know we have to have it done to save her, but I don't want to make her miserable either.

Do anyone know anything about this cancer? I have been researching and read that it is fairly safe overall and that it is very deadly.

We had the lump removed a week ago, how soon afterwards is safe to do the amputation? Should we even bother getting the stiches from the lump taken out?

Are there things we should ask for like x-rays or have him feel for lumps, etc to see if it has spread already? What procedures or tests are likely to be a waste of money.

 

[RhubarbPie]

Ugh that is awful I don't know anything sbout the procedure but I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I wouldn't be able to live without my kitties and I'm sure you feel the same way which obviously makes the decision a really hard one. What does your vet say about how it will affect her quality of life?

 

[Madam Bijoux]

I'm sorry this is happening to your cat. One of my cats lost half of her tail in an accident and it didn't have any adverse effects on anything - she was still able to do all the normal things a cat does. As long as your cat stays indoors, I don't think it will make any difference in her life. Best of luck.

 

[TooPatient]

Ask your vet what the chances are that it has spread already. I don't think he is too concerned though or he would probably have said so.

My mom had to have the front leg of one of her cats amputed because of cancer. The cat was several (4-5?) years old when it was done and adapted very quickly to only 3 legs. She is far more active now than ever before. (been a year or so now) Running, jumping, scratching, all the normal cat stuff.

 

[isaku5]

I'm so sorry about your kitty, but after reading Madam's post, I thought that I might be able to offer a little insight as well. A few years ago we adopted a 'shelter kitty' who had just a stub-like tail. No one seemed to know how that happened, but he remained a happy healthy boy with us for many years.

 

[Missy]

Hi BIH,
I am so sorry about your kitty but they are so remarkable in the way they adapt. Much easier than humans when it comes to these things and thank goodness it was a cancer that was treatable so hopefully she will be perfectly fine! Do what your vet recommends as far as the stitches and when to amputate as they would know best. I know dogs and cats with amputated limbs and it doesn't slow them down in the least LOL. Friends of ours has a cat who fell out of a window in Hong Kong (long story) and needed a leg amputated and she is just fine now. She was an adult when it happened and needed to get her left rear leg amputated and she moves and jumps very well. She doesn't miss it for sure.
Best of luck to your kitty!!

 

[Steel]

I'm sorry.

If it were me, I would take off any limb required to save my pet. To a point. When that point comes, you will know it and know not to order more tests or surgery. Until that time, which may never come, get her tail removed and make sure she is as comfortable as possible. i.e buy lots of tuna!

My Lissey came back from the brink so I do believe that illness can be overcome. Not always, but sometimes.

Bless your moggie, I wish her well.

btw: as for your specific questions, I would rely on my vets advice. But not hesitate to get a 2nd opinion.

 

[Nashville]

Not a cat, but my Irish setter "Jake" had cancer in his tail and it was removed. He was definitely out of sorts for a few weeks and kept looking to see if it had come back, but he was still happy and active.

My advice is, get this cancer removed QUICKLY. We didn't act quick enough with Jake and a few months later found out the cancer had spread, and had to put him to sleep. It was really difficult. If you have the option to take care of this quickly your cat will likely make a full recovery.

 

[packrat]

I think animals adapt to things a lot faster and easier than humans, so even if she's off balance at first or acts funny, she'll come around. We had to have one of our late pits hind legs amputated, and I thought for *sure* it was going to have a horrible affect on her, but I talked to the vet and he said you'd be surprised how quickly they figure things out. And she did too-enough so that she could be found on top of my kitchen table in the middle of the night, and she learned super fast that w/out that leg she could stop and pivot when she'd play w/the other dogs and they couldn't catch her.

Good luck to you and your kitty!

 

[Maisie]

I can't offer any advice either and just wanted to say I hope your kitty gets well soon.

Sorry to hear about Jake Nashville.

 

[Nashville]

I can't offer any advice either and just wanted to say I hope your kitty gets well soon.

Sorry to hear about Jake Nashville.

Thanks Maisie. You never want to see your animal suffer. It was especially hard because we thought the vet had gotten it all (there was a cancerous tumor) and it was supposed to have been confined to just his tail. Sadly that wasn't the case.

If I can offer one more piece of advice, if your cat's tail is removed, make sure you definitely are vigilant about follow up screenings for any more cancerous cells.

 

[Missy]

I just spoke to my sister (who's a veterinarian) and she says it's a no brainer about removing the tail. Depending on where the cancer is located radiation may be necessary if it's at the head of tail. If the tumor is at the tip of the tail the cat should be fine without radiation. My sister said make sure you speak with a vet oncologist about this. She said it actually is *not* a rare cancer at all but as long as you found it at an early stage and they get it all the cat should be fine. She said the cat will be totally fine without her tail so you shouldn't even think twice abut removing it.

Good luck!!

ps Nashville, I am so sorry about Jake.

 

[Blackpaw]

BIH, i think amputating the tail is the best option, and i doubt very much it will effect her too badly. Of course there will be the initial recovery and getting used to not having one, but animals are highly adaptable (i had a three legged dog!!) and they just dont care, they dont have the same psychological/emotional response to amputation that humans do, they just get used to it and thats how it is.

And i always think with pets, if it was you, would you want to die or have your leg off? we all know the answer, and i believe 100% that its the same with animals....

thinking of you and your kitty

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I know the cancer is not terribly rare, but it is not caused by a vaccine, which is rare as I understand it. That is actually good news since apparently naturally occuring cases are less dangerous. I hate the town I live in, but of all the times this could have happened, I am glad it is while I am here. There is a very good animal oncology unit here, so I have left a message with them as well. Everything was fine and now I burst into to tears everytime I think of her. I am hoping by doing the tail and doing it soon, we can prevent the spread, but the survival rates I have seen online for this type of cancer do not look good. Thank you for your support. She is my DH's baby and he doesn't really get how serious this is yet and will be a total mess when he does; I am the stronger one in these cases and I sure don't feel like it right now.

 

[Missy]

I am so sorry Brazen
Once you hear from the oncologist please feel free to ask any questions that I will relay to my sister if she can be of any help.
The sooner the better for the amputation I think.
I am sending healing vibes your kitty's way.

 

[Haven]

Here's hoping that they can safely remove all of your kitty's cancer, BIH. I'm so sorry to to hear she's sick, but it does sound like some fast action could save her. DUST DUST DUST.

Nashville, I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[Gypsy]

I'm sorry honey. Such a tough decision. I hope that once the tail is removed her cancer will stop spreading. ((HUGS)) to you from me and all my kitties. And many best wishes for a swift recovery.

 

[yssie]

BIH - I'm so sorry you and your cat have to go through this

I don't have any advice, but I hope the surgery goes well and your kitty recovers quickly and fully.

 

[movie zombie]

sorry about kitty: i had one cat also get a tail chop due to a car accident.....and i have a manx cat.

a cat uses its tail for balance. your cat is 7 now and has some experience in life. i believe it will adjust well....how much will have to be cut to make sure the cancer is removed? i also have a cat who was born with a tail several inches shorter than he should have for his size........

so cat tails very already in nature and due to accidents.

i hope this get done quickly. i've lost two cats to cancer and i wish it had been of the type you're describing. i wouldn't have hesitated for a minute to make the chop.

congrats on a quick diagnosis! have we seen a picture of kitty?

mz

 

[CJ2008]

Sorry to hear about your kitty Brazen...

I hope you keep us posted...

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Talked to the vet today. He is not too worried since apparently the natural kind rare metastasizes and when it does, it goes to the lymph nodes and/or lungs, and there is no indication either has been effected. We moved the appointment to tomorrow for our own piece of mind.
This is my girl, the white one is my boy Odin. The last is the sock game. I toss socks on her back; she is not terribly fond of it,but it is one of my favorites.

 

[bee*]

weird-I had written a long post yesterday and thought I had posted it but it's not here. Seems you spoke to your vet today so that's good and also the fact that it's naturally occurring is also great news. Definitely get the tail removed asap-your kitty might be a small bit off balance but they recover really quickly and he won't notice after a few days. Other than that just keep an eye on your kitty and if you notice any swellings or lumps just bring him in for another check up. You can get bloods or ultrasounds done every six months (this is what I do with Amber as she's had a couple of mammary tumours removed-it just means that it gives me more of a chance of spotting any new tumours).

 

[Camille]

Sorry to hear Brazen, sending good vibes your way

 

[movie zombie]

what a cutie! sending good kitty surgery vibes!

mz

 

[Haven]

Gorgeous kitties!

So it sounds like things are looking up. Good, healthy, successful surgery vibes coming your way.

 

[Diamond*Dana]

Beautiful kitties! I am sorry to hear about your kitty having cancer, but it sounds like you have things pretty under control. I will keep your kitty in my prayers just the same though

 

[susimoo]

Sending you, your DH and your kitty lots of love and dust!!!

I hope everything goes well.

 

[Arkteia]

It seems that many people have already commented on it. An acquaintance of mine has a female cat whose tail was broken in two places and had to be amputated. Physically she is totally fine but is pretty timid (no surprise).
Good luck with the surgery!

 

[yssie]

Beautiful kitties!!


Hehe the sock game sounds rather like one I enjoy, too and the 'waltz' game..

 

[LAJennifer]

Hi Brazen - I'm late to this thread but I wanted to tell you that I am sorry the lump turned out to be cancer. I really believe the outcome will be terrific with the amputation. Please do not hesitate. Happy *dust* and healing *dust* to you, DH and your kitties.