updated 45 days ago by TinaValant | 149 views | 1 meows

Mammary Tumors

Oct 1 update ~at 3:55pm today, Claudia >^..^< went to the rainbow bridge ~ she was only 12, but in late stages of cancer ~  she is the third of the six kittens from this litter to have this--highly genetic.

Claudie had 2 surgeries to remove mammary tumors, Aug of last year, & May of this year, under the excellent care of Drs Kristy & Scott Lund. I could not see putting her thru that, again to buy her a month or two. Her sister, the fluffy one, here, Bodhi is fine. They laid together on C's blankey most of the day. We got to sit outside this morning together, which she very much enjoyed, then she rested most of the day. Her breathing was becoming more labored.

She never purred last nite or today (she was a PURR MOTOR)! I did not want to stress her out on a 20 minute car ride to LAH, so we just went 1 minute away, here to VCA. Dr Beck did it. It was so calm and peaceful, Bob & I were both with her, it was the right thing to do....it realllly makes you wonder why we make HUMANS suffer so much when they have a debilitating, terminal illness?

Wed update: Picked her up, this aft. She is home and resting comfy, as well as possible, wearing an E collar. Poor thing. Vets said she is doing great. I heard Jack (dog) barking ~ Claudy was stuck between the sofa and coffee table.

In August, just before going to bed, I was rubbing Claudia's tummy. I felt a hard marble. Took her to vet, I had a feeling what it was, and sadly I was right. Two days later she went under the knife and had one big and 3 small mammary tumors removed. My vet told me every month to do a "breast check" on her and monitor if they came back.

Since the mammary glands are in a chain, these can develop quickly, and multiply. Left untreated, they invade the lymph nodes and move to the lungs, resulting in pain and then having to euthanize.

Well, the blasted things are back. When I called my vet, she said, "Wait, this cat is still alive?" I gasped, "What do you mean?" She said they usually only last a few months" - I am GLAD to I did not KNOW THAT!!! I now feel four on the right and two on the left. We have a surgery appointment on Tues morning.

Being an indoor cat, she was spayed at five years old. You can reduce the incidence of mammary tumors by spaying within the cat's first two years.

Please keep Claudia in your thoughts and prayers, especially this Tuesday, May 6. Her surgery will probably be around noon, EST. And, diligently monitor your cat's health, changes in behavior, weight or habits - it can save their life! >".."<