Tough decision for my cat

ingold1234[at]yahoo[dot]com (Gandalf) wrote:

On Wed, 24 Nov 2010 01:17:19 +1300, Brian wrote:

I'm facing a decision that every pet owner hopes they never have to
have.
My cat has cancer in one of it's ears and the vet thinks that if the
cancer on his lower part of his ear is cut out then there is a change
that parts of the cancer will continue in another part of it's ear.
So it's a choice of operating on the cat or ending the cats life.
The cat is approx 15 years old and apart from the cancer is in good
health and is strong. Three months ago the cat was operated on for
skin cancer on his ear which was successful but this Cancer is in a
different location on the ear and is deeper in the skin (a hard lump).

Part of me feels that I want to give the cat a chance to live as he is
still in good health and part of me feels that it could be a wasted
operation if there's a good change of the cancer coming back, also
considering the cats age.

You comments would be very welcome

Regards Brian


I'd say if you can afford the surgery, then go ahead and have it done.

If it comes back again, then you know what has to be done.

The chances of surgery actually 'curing' the cat without chemo and/or
radiation are not very good...just like with people.

But, there is a chance, and it also would give you some more 'good time'
with him.

I'm guessing the surgery isn't 'too expensive', since it's his ear, and
not internal.

Or, you can do nothing, and just wait until the cancer gets to the point
where the decision must be made to have him PTS.

This is a no win situation, in the end, unfortunately.

You have to weigh the surgery and recovery time against the time it
might buy him.

Was the previous surgery hard on him?

Did it take very long for him to recover?

I think those two questions are pretty important, in making a good
decision.

Best wishes for you and your cat, whatever you decide.

Thanks ingold.
See my reply attached to these groups of replies
(look for Brian

Regards Brian

Rene wrote:

Brian,

While 15 is older for a cat, if he is in good health otherwise and you
can afford the surgery, I would certainly have the surgery. Make sure
to get bloodwork done first to see if he's a surgery candidate and
there aren't any hidden illnesses (like kidney disease).

Also, you might want to invest in a fabric-covered E collar while he
heals so he doesn't scratch his sutures. There are several brands
available in pet stores.

Rene

Thanks Rene.
See my reply attached to these groups of replies.
(look for Brian )

Regards Brian

Can
cancer grow within 2 weeks?

Oh yes, it can, especially if it's an aggressive kind. I'm assuming
your vet did a biopsy of the first cancer. Perhaps you can get a
biopsy of the current cancer and find out what type it is. If it's
particularly aggressive, sadly, it may have already spread. But it's
worth checking out to see if he has a chance of recovering IMO.

Rene

On Nov 23, 7:17*am, Brian wrote:
I'm facing a decision that every pet owner hopes they never have to
have.
My cat has cancer in one of it's ears and the vet thinks that if the
cancer on his lower part of his ear is cut out then there is a change
that parts of the cancer will continue in another part of it's ear.
So it's a choice of operating on the cat or ending the cats life.
The cat is approx 15 years old and apart from the cancer is in good
health and is strong. Three months ago the cat was operated on for
skin cancer on his ear which was successful but this Cancer is in a
different location on the ear and is deeper in the skin (a hard lump).

Part of me feels that I want to give the cat a chance to live as he is
still in good health and part of me feels that it could be a wasted
operation if there's a good change of the cancer coming back, also
considering the cats age.

You comments would be very welcome

Regards Brian

..22

back of the head

cheap and easy

chili wrote:

On Nov 23, 7:17*am, Brian wrote:
I'm facing a decision that every pet owner hopes they never have to
have.
My cat has cancer in one of it's ears and the vet thinks that if the
cancer on his lower part of his ear is cut out then there is a change
that parts of the cancer will continue in another part of it's ear.
So it's a choice of operating on the cat or ending the cats life.
The cat is approx 15 years old and apart from the cancer is in good
health and is strong. Three months ago the cat was operated on for
skin cancer on his ear which was successful but this Cancer is in a
different location on the ear and is deeper in the skin (a hard lump).

Part of me feels that I want to give the cat a chance to live as he is
still in good health and part of me feels that it could be a wasted
operation if there's a good change of the cancer coming back, also
considering the cats age.

You comments would be very welcome

Regards Brian

.22

back of the head

cheap and easy

To have a cat is better than not to have a cat.

Regards Brian