i got a call from my vet this morning saying my 14 yr old female has oral squamous cell carcinoma......can anyone tell me the causes of this cancer? how long she has? and what can i do to help her feel more comfortable....?
shes still eating right now and i know this thing isnt curable or even really worth trying to kill....just making it harder for my baby..
thanks..
2007-11-30 06:45:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Those are questions for your vet actually, not us.
2007-11-30 12:31:35 · answer #1 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't really answer any of your questions, but I did want to say that I am really sorry you're losing your cat. Maybe something you could do to make life a bit easier for her is having make-shift steps to high places she likes to go, so she won't have to jump around so much. It's much harder on an older cat to do that. Also, try giving her small amounts of canned cat food, Wellness is a good one. It has high protein content which is very good for a cat, and may give her some extra energy. I hope you guys enjoy each other as much as possible in the time you have left. What is her name?
2007-11-30 14:53:03 · answer #2 · answered by xXEdgeXx 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which arises from the cells lining the oral cavity, is the most common oral cancer encountered in cats and humans. While oral SCC has
the potential to both aggressively invade local tissue and spread to other parts of the body, it is often the local effects of the tumor that cause the most problems. We do not
know what causes SCC to occur in cats, but in humans it is associated with activities such as drinking alcohol, smoking and chewing tobacco.
Many cats with oral SCC will display signs such as drooling, foul odor, bleeding from the mouth, or difficulty eating. Some cats may present with signs suggesting a dental problem, and SCC is diagnosed as an underlying cause of the dental disease. A diagnosis of SCC usually requires a biopsy. This is sometimes performed during routine dentistry or can be performed using quickacting injectable sedation or a very short anesthetic.
Prior to devising a treatment plan, some tests will often be preformed to determine overall health and if the tumor is localized to the primary site or whether there is any evidence of spread. These tests include blood tests evaluating blood cell numbers and organ function, a fine needle aspirate of the lymph node draining the tumor area, and xrays of the lungs. Whenever possible, surgery is the first line of defense for SCC. Unfortunately due to the very small size of a cat’s mouth and the relatively large size of the tumor when it is
usually diagnosed, surgery is possible in less than 10% of cases. In cases where surgery is not possible or has been declined another form of local therapy, radiation therapy can be used. This involves the application of a powerful form of
radiation directly onto the tumor. By itself radiation therapy is rarely associated with tumor shrinkage but has the potential to decrease pain associated with this type of cancer.
The use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may be useful for cats with SCC. These drugs (meloxicam and piroxicam) may help to slow tumor growth, especially when
combined with radiation or other chemotherapy drugs. In addition, these mediations are also potent pain relievers.
One of the most important issues in cats with SCC is quality of life. Often cats with SCC are unable to take in sufficient food and water due to pain. If this pain cannot be controlled with the above measures, quality of life is usually very poor. Unfortunately we are able to cure very few cats with SCC. The goal of treatment is to do as much as we can to maintain an excellent quality of life for as long as possible.
2007-11-30 15:05:02 · answer #3 · answered by lt4827 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm so sorry to hear about your darling kitty. The vet can give you all the options. I would ask him for the information but use your own judgement of when it's time to put her on painkillers, and then when the end is closer, how to make it easier for her.
It won't be easy on you at all, but she's worth it. Give her a tickle under the chin from me
2007-11-30 14:56:04 · answer #4 · answered by Linda K 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear of this. I'm afriad I don't know much about this cancer, but I have been through the rest...
As long as she appears to be enjoying a good quality of life then I'd say leave her be. (Good life: Eating, drinking, normal routines, etc.) You know your girl and I think you'll know if something changes in her behavior. I know this isn't much of an answer... Good luck!
2007-11-30 15:37:29 · answer #5 · answered by danl747 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be better if you just called your vet back and asked him/her these questions. You may also want to find a new vet. If he/she called you and just gave you the diagnosis with no plan, no treatment, no info at all, they may not have your pet's best interest at heart.
2007-11-30 14:54:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry I do not have the answers you are seeking, just to say I am sorry to hear about your wee pet, as a cat owner myself, I wish all the best.xo
2007-11-30 14:57:21 · answer #7 · answered by Little miss naughty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please email me. I had to euthanize a cat with oral SCC last month. I have a lot of information to share with you.
Certainly IT has given you a lot of good medical information. If you want to have more personal information based on my experience I would be happy to share with you.
2007-11-30 17:04:04 · answer #8 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why didn't the vet answer all your questions?
2007-11-30 14:53:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋