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Last month I noticed my 9 year old cat Squeakers had a lump on the right side of her hind quarters. I thought perhaps it was just swollen from getting in a fight with one of my other 4 kitties.
I just had a baby 6 months ago, and in the process of buying my first home for my family otherwise I would have taken her in sooner but finances are a bit strained.
1 month later the bump was huge, and I took her to the Vet Friday for a Biopsy, after they shaved her it was the size of a golf ball. I received the dreaded call from the Vet today and she has Sarcoma. Now we're not sure what grade the cancer is without an expensive MRI.
I spoke with my Vet and he said recory rates are 60/40 and he would would recommend to perform the surgery. Problem is I haven't found 1 single story on the web where a pet had this surgery and fully recovered.
Surgery is $1,200, and I am taking her in tomorrow morning and taking money out of my savings to pay for it, and jeapordizing the new home becuase of mortgage requirements. I love this cat very much, and wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try. I can eat ramen noodles for 3-4 months if I have to.
Has anyone else had this surgery performed, just want to hear some stories.
My cat Lily had fibrosarcoma on her one hind leg in 2006. I had it removed, the edges showed it was clear so the vet got it all. In 2010 she developed one on her other hind leg, also with the same results. We have been clear since. The last surgery she did not recover as well, being 16yrs old the last time didn't help. She has been free of it since (knock on wood). I don't remember what I paid, I'd have to dig out the old file boxes, but I'm sure it was up there too. I didn't have an MRI, just the biopsy and the surgery to remove it. I was told, and read, that it often comes back in the same area, but hers hasn't (knock on wood again). I know my girls wasn't the size of a golf ball, much smaller than that. Not sure if that would make a difference on the severity of spreading.
Will keep you and your kitty in my thoughts, and hope that your vet can get it all out. Please keep us updated.
I also heard much about this re: vaccines. I am so torn on vaccines, & hope to God your kitty is ok after this all gets done. I'm sending Prayers to you & kitty that God May Bless you during this very trying time. (Especially during the Holidays too).
Well I'm sorry to hear about your kitty's diagnosis. Unfortunately the outcome from these types of sarcomas is not good. I've done a lot (a lot) of research on this and I can share with you what I know. Always Always Always do your own research!! Seek the opinion of more than one vet - and see an oncology specialist.
If the tumor is found to be in a place where it is deemed operable - most often what will happen is that they will opt to amputate the leg - it's generally protocol. Especially in your case as it seems the sarcoma is very large and pretty aggressive at the growth rate you described. Sometimes however, the instigating vaccine was not given properly and the tumor is too high on the hind quarters and there is hip involvement in the tumor - the leg cannot be amputated.
I have to say that leg amputation is an instance of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." Some patients recover and do well from this surgery. They live pretty decent lives and that's great. Some do not. Your cat is not young, but is not old either. It's a tough call it would be tough but cats do well and heal from amazing things. What you have to consider is the tremendous stress this type of surgery puts on the rest of the body. They are designed to walk on four legs - so you are making them more prone to arthritis and spine problems as they age.
In any case. If you elect to go with surgery - whether it be tumor removal or amputation - and all goes well. There is an overwhelming statistic that this type of cancer comes back with in a year. It's a sad fact that you just don't get around an that's what you have to look at long term.
I have spent a sizable fortune one one of my cats a few years ago - and would spend it again if I had to. However some people can't or it's not an option - I understand that. Sometimes you have to look past the money too. Investigate your options well and try to look LOGICALLY into what may be best for your kitty. Quality of life sometimes gets lost in our need to fight for them.
. . . Seek the opinion of more than one vet - and see an oncology specialist.
. . . I have spent a sizable fortune one one of my cats a few years ago - and would spend it again if I had to. However some people can't or it's not an option - I understand that. Sometimes you have to look past the money too. Investigate your options well and try to look LOGICALLY into what may be best for your kitty. Quality of life sometimes gets lost in our need to fight for them.
Best of luck to you.
Ditto on seeing an oncologist. We had a cat with lymphoma and our IM bled us dry. The $159 we spent for the oncology consult was the best money we spent on our baby. We explained our financial limitations and he gave us a the best path forward with the least expense.
As for removing a limb - I know of many cats that have done exceptionally well.
Update, Squeakers went into surgery the following day, it went from a BB to a golf ball in 2 weeks and didn't want to wait.
The sarcoma was on her back near the tail. The Dr. performed wide margins, as wide as possibe without killing her. He went down to the second layer of muscle and also removed some bone from her spine, The scar starts at the base of her tail and runs to the front shoulderblades. 50 staples in total, Although it was large my Vet said we caught it early, and he''s confident he got it all. A sample was sent out for testing. He have her a 60/40 chance of being rid of the cancer.
I however am skeptical as I haven't read too many stories where it hasn't come back.
If anyone is wondering the total cost so far was $1,600 which includes pain meds, morphine patches, Clavamox, biopsy, removal, blood tests, & hospital stay. I have another appt. tomorrow to have another morphine patch administered, and inj Clavamox as I can not force a cat to swallow it when she's in such pain.
This is major surgery, and the pain my poor cat is experiencing is excrutiating. I feel horrible...
Squeaks did not eat for 2 days, no urination, hisses at my fiancee' but is fine with me. She hid under the bed. As of this morning I removed the bed and she is now in my closet purring away, only eating Temptations when I pet her. She's up and walking, little drugged, & has used the bathroom and thus far she has been nothing but amazing.
********WARNING****** MAY BE GRAPHIC ******************
Oh poor Squeakers. I hope her recovery is swift and that they got rid of it all. Sending healing thoughts & energy her way. {{{Squeakers!!}}} Give her a head pat for me!!
I'm sooo happy to hear this! Look, no matter what, you're giving her the BEST you can. Squeakers is in God's Hands too, I believe, & thus I'll Pray for you guys to make this a remarkable recovery. I trust that w/ Faith --- ALL WILL WORK OUT! No I'm not a religious nut but sure do know God works in awful mysterious ways.
Keeping my fingers crossed that the edges are clear on the biopsy. Don't worry about it coming back until and if it ever does or it will just eat away at you. I'm sure she's miserable right now and it will take time for her to feel better and stop hissing and hiding. I'm glad to hear that the surgery went well though. Thoughts are with you and Squeakers!
I'd hide and hiss, too, if I were Squeakers! All the best for a quick and full recovery.
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