Injection site sarcomas in cats

leyla-aurelia

Update! See post #8

I had to take my poor cat to have a lump removed from between her shoulder blades today, lump has gone to histology and we'll know more in a few days. But apparently there is a high chance of it being a highly aggressive 'injection-site sarcoma', with a prognosis of less than 2 months:( . Does anyone have experience of these?

MrsTinks

You're not going to like this: Injection site sarcoma
If this is what it is then a 2 month prognosis might be accurate Crossing fingers and toes and paws that it's not sarcoma. If need be I can call my mate next week when she's back from holiday and ask her about them as she's a vet... Hope your puddytat gets better very soon!

leyla-aurelia

Thanks, MrsTine, I'd read some of those but they don't tell me what will actually happen to her on a day-to-day basis if it is. I really don't want her to suffer, she's such a happy, friendly, but sensitive, cat. The huge wound she has now is bad enough.

The vet said it was likely to be this but that it could be one of two less aggressive, ergo treatable, types. Ah well, should know next week. Thanks for the good wishes.

MrsTinks

Well cancer in general can vary so much in how animals react to being poorly... My mums dog just got tired and lost her spark... medication initially perked her up some but 3rd time it came back mum decided that she'd make her comfy as long as possible and the day when Mashja didn't feel like eating her breakfast mum knew it was time...
Some give up very fast - others you'd hardly know were poorly
You'll know if and when the time comes

lowis

so sorry to hear about your cat

if you are insured (or well-off), and you are presented with chemo as an option, definitely give it a try. i had a cat who was diagnosed with cancer of the intestines, we were told 6-9 months was the average survival time with chemo treatment. she actually went on to live for another 18 months.

chemo for cats is noting like the hard-hitting chemo for humans, it is very low dose (hence not a complete cure, but enough to achieve remission). most cats sail through chemo treatment, some don't get on with it, but if it is an option i would recommend it.

good luck...many hugs to you x

divadee

I am so sorry to hear about your cat, This happened to us 10 years ago. If it is injection site cancer it is very very agressive. Our lovely cat lasted 2 and a half months.

Now i know its controversal on here with some people, but it is because of this that I only have our cats vaccinated every 3-4 years. our vet is very happy with the vaccination schedule due to our problems in the past. Speak to your vet and see what he says if you have any other cats.

leyla-aurelia

Hi Divadee, that's more or less what we've been told, there's a slight chance it may be a less aggressive type--lab results are due sometime this week.

I only wish I'd known about the existence of this problem, I'd definitely have changed our vaccination schedule, even if it meant cancelling the pet insurance! I really can't understand why this problem isn't more widely known about!.

We only have the one cat, and a dog, so I'll look into the risk for dogs and chat to the vet if there are any issues there.

leyla-aurelia

Update, good and bad news! The lab results showed it was the very aggressive type of cancer. BUT, it was in very early stages and everything appears to have been removed. The vet thinks there's a very good chance it won't regrow, in which case puss is cured. We'll know either way within a few weeks because it's such an aggressive cancer. Basically if she's alive in two months time, she has a long life ahead of her. So fingers crossed, she'll be OK.

MrsTinks

Crossing fingers, toes and paws!

lowis

everything crossed x

deedeeliz

Good luck!