Listen you son-of-a-bitch, you may be mean...but I'm MEANER!
Yeah, you're gonna "win" this one, but not without a fight mutherfucker. You WILL NOT take my cat without a fight. You WILL NOT inflict your pain. WE WILL FIGHT you even if it just means we keep her comfortable and help her pass before you cause unspeakable destruction.
You picked the wrong cat!
See you at the surgical consult you prick bastard!
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a big, bad cancer that affects feline nasal/oral areas. Rory, Raziel Reign's Once Upon A Dream, my bronze spotted Egyptian Mau, had a lesion on her nose pad that wasn't healing right. I thought it was because she kept rubbing it. Lesion, drooling, rubbing their mouths...all suspect signs of oral and/or nasal tumors. 99.9% of the time it's squamous cell carcinoma. Only a biopsy will say for certain, but odds are good this is what Rory has. I had looked in her mouth a few times and saw nothing...my vet saw a tumor way back on the base of her tongue and another spread under her toungue inside her jawline. I have a consult with a surgeon but realistically, the one on her tongue is in a very, very bad place that is not condusive to surgery. So, I go into this knowing there may not be a surgical solution to extending her life. There is a procedure called a mandibulectomy (removal of all or portion of the jaw). While it's really successful when combined with radiation in canines...it's not so hot with felines, typically extending life for another 5-7 months. Not sure I'd put her through such a drastic surgery and recovery to attempt a few more months. I'm really struggling to weigh treatment/prognosis/quality of life...hopefully the surgeon can guide me a bit on Thursday.
I have read about an NSAID called Piroxicam, to aleviate pain and reduce inflamation. It's used for prostrate cancer in human applications. This may be the best I can hope for. I'm also reading about chemo drugs being injected into the lesion on her nose to slow things down. I'll do what I can...anything except allow her to suffer.
Rory is only 9 years old, she's still got life in her eyes, bumps and purrs, still eating well...if you didn't see her nose deteriorating and notice the drool, you wouldn't think a think was wrong...for now.
If you don't already...have your vet do an oral exam each visit, ask about an annual dental...finding a squamous cell tumor EARLY makes a ton of difference!
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Hugs and cuddles to you and Rory. Cancer ain't got nothin' on you two!
ReplyDeleteThinking the good thoughts for Rory and for you! Our kitties are precious things full of loves (and poop!)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I can understand everything you are going through with loving your pet and spending tons of money to keep it well. My doberman goes this Wedneday for her 6 week check up after TPLO surgery--her second leg to have this surgery. The girls (two cute dobermans) and I wish you and your Rory the best!
ReplyDeleteHow is Rory? I see that this is the last blog you put up and was hoping to find that Rory was fine...I hope everything worked out OK! Linda
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