My 10 year old female tabby cat has just been diagnosed with a small tumour in her throat, I took her to the vets cos she was making funny noises whilst swallowing. He checked her teeth etc and coulnt find anything and on further investigation he found a small hard mass on one side of her tonsil. He reackons its a small tumour. Becasue of where it is he cannot remove it, and has suggested steroids to help try shrink it.
Im scared stiff now, I love my little cat and am worried sick.
is there nothing else we can do to help her?????
2007-12-21 01:55:38 · 8 answers · asked by Clarelouise 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Listen to your vet. If its not operable, the only thing they can do is try and shrink it, and hope it does not get bigger and block breathing or swallowing. Keep an eye on your cat for trouble breathing, and get her to an animal ER if you think she cannot breathe properly. Monitor her appetite as well. If she stops eating, or tries to eat but cannot swallow, tell your vet. Did you talk to specialist to see if it can be removed with a laser instead? Sometimes with endoscopy (like a camera that goes into the mouth and down the throat) they can remove things by "burning" them with a laser.
2007-12-21 02:06:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A veterinary school or surgical specialty practice may be able to remove this tumor or at least biopsy it to get a firm diagnosis. Most masses in the mouths of cats are malignant, I'm sorry to say, but not all, and you can't tell just by looking--that's why it needs to be biopsied so that a pathologist can tell you what it is, and whether it's benign or malignant.
Steroids temporarily shrink some kinds of tumors, and usually at least make cats feel better for a little while, but if this mass cannot be removed and continues to grow, at some point it is going to interfere with her eating or breathing (or both), and your kindest choice would be euthanasia.
In the meantime, I would feed her canned food (perhaps thinned with a little warm water), since soft/liquid material will pass around the mass more easily than a chunk of dry food will.
Good luck to you and your kitty.
2007-12-21 02:58:41 · answer #2 · answered by ScienceMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off.. your cats 10 years old.. and thats when they start having masses.. and kidney problems.. and other older cat problems.. like an older person.. you could get another vets opinion.. but if your vet .. who you i assume has been taking care of your cat its whole life says there is nothing cause of the location.. then he's prolly right.. also think of the cost and risk verses quality of life and recovery..
on an older cat .. the surgery would be hard.. and recovery would be long.. how long would it give you before something else happens to show up?
spend the time you have with your cat.. maybe try the steroids.. and see if they help.. but realize that you have to look out for your cat's comfort.. and when your cat is suffering.. for your happiness.. its time to see about letting her go..
I had to do the same thing not that long ago so i know how hard it is.. and i can tell you.. its easier to do it before you have to remember the agony .. my cat couldnt walk right.. and just eating was a trial.. i waited too long cause i loved her.. so talk to your vet about it..
2007-12-21 02:10:59 · answer #3 · answered by jeselynn_81 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My little dog had a tumour for years, on her side. She lived till she was 18.
I think in your case take the vets advice and try to shrink it. If animals are like humans, it will probably grow very slow because your little cat is middle aged to old.
She will be able to live a longer time.
2007-12-21 04:45:45 · answer #4 · answered by Sally Anne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10 years is not old for a cat!! If you are unhappy with your Vets advice you should seek a second opinion or ask to be referred to a specialist who may be able to help further. You can certainely give the steroids a go, but they are not a long term option.
I hope your cat makes a good recovery.
2007-12-21 05:27:06 · answer #5 · answered by Wren 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have an option and the vet told you already.
Steroid use is ok if done the right way,and you have to taper off the dose when it's time to stop it (you can't stop cold turkey).
Try what the vet says, or have her examined by another vet, see what they say.
2007-12-21 12:09:17 · answer #6 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he cannot remove it and it is bothering her eventually like if she could not breathe properly anymore do the decent thing and put her down. Otherwise pray for her and give her lots of love.
2007-12-21 03:11:27 · answer #7 · answered by Aceirill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't ever been in this situation with my kitties throughout the years but I do wish your tabby a quick recovery and pray it goes away for her!
2007-12-21 02:05:25 · answer #8 · answered by April S. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋