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#1
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Feeding and Relief of mouth sores in cat with oral cancer
My cat has inoperable mouth cancer. I need advice on getting him to take in more food and if there is any topical pain killer that I can use on the sores in his mouth. I know I can't use human products like benzocaine or benzyl alcohol. He's doing pretty well right now aside from weight loss. He is getting oral pain killers and antibiotics and behaves like he's not in pain, is affectionate, etc. He doesn't vomit it up. We're not going to put him down as long as he seems to get some joy from life. But: he's not eating a lot and I think it's because he has pain in his mouth. Also, he's lost some teeth and has trouble gripping food. We're going to take him to the vet this week but we want the advice of the net mind as well. He seems to be hungry: he looks longingly at food, and does his usual bolting into the kitchen when he hears the can opener. But he takes only one bite, then looks real disappointed and looks away. We've tried soft foods, which get a nothing from him. He likes to drink milk and cream. I try to hand feed him people food and sometimes I can get him to take a couple of strips of roasted chicken, which he chews only on one side (the less affected one). He won't eat NutraCal voluntarily but I'm just going to start shooting it in his mouth with a syringe when I give him his twice a day antibiotic and pain killer pills. Any advice as to techniques, medications, better nutritional products, webpages, etc. would be more than appreciated. Also, even though we've decided not to go with surgery and radiation for cure if anyone has experience with PALLIATIVE surgery or radiation for this I'd really like to hear about it. (The only treatment for this cancer is extensive surgery followed by radiation and since he's an old cat and the prognosis is lousy even with treatment, we decided not to do aggressive treatment and just try to keep him comfortable.) Help! Thanks. P.S. If you can, send a carbon copy to my e-mail so I get it as soon as possible. My news server is slow. __________________________________________________ _ Camilla Cracchiolo Registered Nurse Los Angeles, California webpage temporarily down |
#2
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snip story of cat with mouth cancer
My cat Natasha started to eat less and I took her to the vet, where it was found she had a tumor on the roof of her mouth. I scheduled a biopsy and was called while she was still on the table. They found cancer all the way down the back of her throat, which was not apparent on visual examination. Removing it would have been an exercise in futility, and, even though she acted normal in every other respect, it would have been cruel for me to make her go on with it as bad as it was so I told them to keep her under, rushed there, and stayed with her while they put her to sleep. I don't know how bad your cat's issues are at this point, but if the cancer is covering a large area of his mouth and is causing constant pain, it might be time to consider euthanasia. I rarely if ever bring this up and am only doing so now based on my own experience. It's really hard when they are acting fine in every other respect, but I know in Natasha's situation, it would not have been fair for me to make her live with the cancer and pain for even one more day. I wish you well. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#3
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snip story of cat with mouth cancer
My cat Natasha started to eat less and I took her to the vet, where it was found she had a tumor on the roof of her mouth. I scheduled a biopsy and was called while she was still on the table. They found cancer all the way down the back of her throat, which was not apparent on visual examination. Removing it would have been an exercise in futility, and, even though she acted normal in every other respect, it would have been cruel for me to make her go on with it as bad as it was so I told them to keep her under, rushed there, and stayed with her while they put her to sleep. I don't know how bad your cat's issues are at this point, but if the cancer is covering a large area of his mouth and is causing constant pain, it might be time to consider euthanasia. I rarely if ever bring this up and am only doing so now based on my own experience. It's really hard when they are acting fine in every other respect, but I know in Natasha's situation, it would not have been fair for me to make her live with the cancer and pain for even one more day. I wish you well. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#4
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snip story of cat with mouth cancer
My cat Natasha started to eat less and I took her to the vet, where it was found she had a tumor on the roof of her mouth. I scheduled a biopsy and was called while she was still on the table. They found cancer all the way down the back of her throat, which was not apparent on visual examination. Removing it would have been an exercise in futility, and, even though she acted normal in every other respect, it would have been cruel for me to make her go on with it as bad as it was so I told them to keep her under, rushed there, and stayed with her while they put her to sleep. I don't know how bad your cat's issues are at this point, but if the cancer is covering a large area of his mouth and is causing constant pain, it might be time to consider euthanasia. I rarely if ever bring this up and am only doing so now based on my own experience. It's really hard when they are acting fine in every other respect, but I know in Natasha's situation, it would not have been fair for me to make her live with the cancer and pain for even one more day. I wish you well. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#5
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We are not in any position to decide whether palliative treatment or
euthanasia is the most humane course of action here. Laura That's exactly right and it was exceedingly insensitive of this "Bud" (an interloper, btw) to say that to the OP. Those of us who love cats know that the time to decide euthanasia is always difficult/painful to determine and we can never know for sure if we are timing it right. I'm sure the OP is going through enough torment trying to decide what is right for her cat without some lout making crude judgements. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) |
#6
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We are not in any position to decide whether palliative treatment or
euthanasia is the most humane course of action here. Laura That's exactly right and it was exceedingly insensitive of this "Bud" (an interloper, btw) to say that to the OP. Those of us who love cats know that the time to decide euthanasia is always difficult/painful to determine and we can never know for sure if we are timing it right. I'm sure the OP is going through enough torment trying to decide what is right for her cat without some lout making crude judgements. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) |
#7
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We are not in any position to decide whether palliative treatment or
euthanasia is the most humane course of action here. Laura That's exactly right and it was exceedingly insensitive of this "Bud" (an interloper, btw) to say that to the OP. Those of us who love cats know that the time to decide euthanasia is always difficult/painful to determine and we can never know for sure if we are timing it right. I'm sure the OP is going through enough torment trying to decide what is right for her cat without some lout making crude judgements. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) |
#8
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"Camilla Cracchiolo" wrote in message ... .. Sigh. Here I was hoping for some actual practical information about getting food down my cat and how to help ease the mouth sores and I have to get this BS. All practical information is still welcome, BTW. .... When the pain relievers no longer work well, when he's too weak to jump up on the bed and doesn't want to be held or touched or purr anymore, THEN I will have a vet come to the house to put him down. I'll first give him an extra heavy dose of his pain pills so he's sedated and not scared and I'll be right there with him. But it will be when HE's ready to go and not just because it hurts me to know he's dying. .... Camilla Cracchiolo Camilla, I don't have any experience dealing with a cat with mouth sores, but I want you to know that my heart goes out to you. The only thing I can suggest is a feeding tube, which would bypass the mouth sores. I have no experience with feeding tubes, either, so I can't say if it would help or only make things worse. I regret that I had to snip the majority of your post, but my newsreader will not send if the response is much shorter than the original message. It is obvious from what you wrote that you are doing whatever you can to help your cat with the best quality of life possible during whatever time he has left. You are the one who is in touch with your cat and you are putting his needs first. You do not owe explanations to insensitive people or to anyone who only wants to increase your sorrow. Annie |
#9
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"Camilla Cracchiolo" wrote in message ... .. Sigh. Here I was hoping for some actual practical information about getting food down my cat and how to help ease the mouth sores and I have to get this BS. All practical information is still welcome, BTW. .... When the pain relievers no longer work well, when he's too weak to jump up on the bed and doesn't want to be held or touched or purr anymore, THEN I will have a vet come to the house to put him down. I'll first give him an extra heavy dose of his pain pills so he's sedated and not scared and I'll be right there with him. But it will be when HE's ready to go and not just because it hurts me to know he's dying. .... Camilla Cracchiolo Camilla, I don't have any experience dealing with a cat with mouth sores, but I want you to know that my heart goes out to you. The only thing I can suggest is a feeding tube, which would bypass the mouth sores. I have no experience with feeding tubes, either, so I can't say if it would help or only make things worse. I regret that I had to snip the majority of your post, but my newsreader will not send if the response is much shorter than the original message. It is obvious from what you wrote that you are doing whatever you can to help your cat with the best quality of life possible during whatever time he has left. You are the one who is in touch with your cat and you are putting his needs first. You do not owe explanations to insensitive people or to anyone who only wants to increase your sorrow. Annie |
#10
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"Camilla Cracchiolo" wrote in message ... .. Sigh. Here I was hoping for some actual practical information about getting food down my cat and how to help ease the mouth sores and I have to get this BS. All practical information is still welcome, BTW. .... When the pain relievers no longer work well, when he's too weak to jump up on the bed and doesn't want to be held or touched or purr anymore, THEN I will have a vet come to the house to put him down. I'll first give him an extra heavy dose of his pain pills so he's sedated and not scared and I'll be right there with him. But it will be when HE's ready to go and not just because it hurts me to know he's dying. .... Camilla Cracchiolo Camilla, I don't have any experience dealing with a cat with mouth sores, but I want you to know that my heart goes out to you. The only thing I can suggest is a feeding tube, which would bypass the mouth sores. I have no experience with feeding tubes, either, so I can't say if it would help or only make things worse. I regret that I had to snip the majority of your post, but my newsreader will not send if the response is much shorter than the original message. It is obvious from what you wrote that you are doing whatever you can to help your cat with the best quality of life possible during whatever time he has left. You are the one who is in touch with your cat and you are putting his needs first. You do not owe explanations to insensitive people or to anyone who only wants to increase your sorrow. Annie |
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