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Amputation of the Ears
Hi all,
Jade will be having surgery tomorrow morning to get her ears amputated. She has had black scabs on her ears since we became her parents over 3yrs ago. Without a biopsy, our vet is 99% sure this is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (this is for you, ZQ :) and it is common for white cats to get it on their ear tips and nose. Thankfully, Jades nose is black, but her ears are very pink on the back in some areas as well as down near her head and these areas are all affected.
I have tried to combat this problem these last 3yrs by applying sunscreen everyday, but off and on, the scabs have fallen off on the tips and have taken a long time to heal. The reason we decided to go ahead with the amputation is she now has an area that has not healed for 2mos and has eaten away her ear tip. The scab continually falls off and bleeds and I've found her all bloody from scratching it more than once. Vet says she is most likely in pain, as well. We had a Lung Xray done last week to make sure the cancer has not metastasized (sp) and her lungs are clear, thank God!
After her surgery, she would stay at the vet for 2days, then home and in the house with the e-collar at all times another 2wks, but I am not physically well, so we are going to board her at the vet for a week, then keep her in the house the second week in a large cage so she will be forced to use a litter box she's never used with us before and won't scratch and cry at the door thinking we will give in. I feel so guilty to leave her there when she could be home, but the stress of taking care of a sick animal for 2wks is just too much for me and I will need to be at my very best for the 1wk I Do take care of her. Hopefully, she will be used to the e-collar by the time she comes home.
I am fairly nervous about her surgery and I'm not only posting for support, but wondering if any of you reading this has experience with their cats ears being amputated? I would be interested to know how your kitty fared after such a surgery. I think, without her ears, her expressions will be gone. You know, no ears back flat when she's annoyed or ears forward when she sees something. That's okay though. She is such a sweet girl and we adore her and don't care What she looks like. We think she's going to look like a little seal...lol.
I have her mousie and an unwashed t-shirt of my husbands to comfort her. Will also bring her food and food bowl so at least there will be a couple of things that are "normal" for her. We can also visit, of course, but we are going to miss her So Much!
Thank you, everyone, for caring about Jade. This forum is the best and I've learned so much from all of you.
I am so nervous about this!
Jade will be having surgery tomorrow morning to get her ears amputated. She has had black scabs on her ears since we became her parents over 3yrs ago. Without a biopsy, our vet is 99% sure this is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (this is for you, ZQ :) and it is common for white cats to get it on their ear tips and nose. Thankfully, Jades nose is black, but her ears are very pink on the back in some areas as well as down near her head and these areas are all affected.
I have tried to combat this problem these last 3yrs by applying sunscreen everyday, but off and on, the scabs have fallen off on the tips and have taken a long time to heal. The reason we decided to go ahead with the amputation is she now has an area that has not healed for 2mos and has eaten away her ear tip. The scab continually falls off and bleeds and I've found her all bloody from scratching it more than once. Vet says she is most likely in pain, as well. We had a Lung Xray done last week to make sure the cancer has not metastasized (sp) and her lungs are clear, thank God!
After her surgery, she would stay at the vet for 2days, then home and in the house with the e-collar at all times another 2wks, but I am not physically well, so we are going to board her at the vet for a week, then keep her in the house the second week in a large cage so she will be forced to use a litter box she's never used with us before and won't scratch and cry at the door thinking we will give in. I feel so guilty to leave her there when she could be home, but the stress of taking care of a sick animal for 2wks is just too much for me and I will need to be at my very best for the 1wk I Do take care of her. Hopefully, she will be used to the e-collar by the time she comes home.
I am fairly nervous about her surgery and I'm not only posting for support, but wondering if any of you reading this has experience with their cats ears being amputated? I would be interested to know how your kitty fared after such a surgery. I think, without her ears, her expressions will be gone. You know, no ears back flat when she's annoyed or ears forward when she sees something. That's okay though. She is such a sweet girl and we adore her and don't care What she looks like. We think she's going to look like a little seal...lol.
I have her mousie and an unwashed t-shirt of my husbands to comfort her. Will also bring her food and food bowl so at least there will be a couple of things that are "normal" for her. We can also visit, of course, but we are going to miss her So Much!
Thank you, everyone, for caring about Jade. This forum is the best and I've learned so much from all of you.
I am so nervous about this!
I'm glad to hear she's recovering so well from her surgery! Animals are pretty resilient and adapt better than us humans, I believe! She will be fine. I think it was a good idea to leave her where they can monitor her and give her meds, etc. I'm sure you will be happy when she can come home, though! God speed on a quick recovery! God bless you and little Jade. :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Okay, sorry. I can't find the photo to upload. I am off to the dentist and will try to figure this out later.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Thank you all again for your support. You guys are all the best! I especially appreciate your support in leaving Jade at the vet. We feel so bad for doing that, but to tell you the truth, she seems to be adjusting just fine. As I've mentioned before, she is an easy going kitty. This seems to be harder on me than on her lol.
When we visit, we let her wander and she is starting to act right at home. I think the vet team would like to keep her as their mascot :) They can't have her though...no way, haha.
We took a picture and you can view it on my profile if you'd like. Of course, what you see is 72hrs post op. She will look better once her fur grows back.
When we visit, we let her wander and she is starting to act right at home. I think the vet team would like to keep her as their mascot :) They can't have her though...no way, haha.
We took a picture and you can view it on my profile if you'd like. Of course, what you see is 72hrs post op. She will look better once her fur grows back.
Hi,
Read your post and I am so glad that your cat came through surgery very well. I know from stress and fibro this can be a difficult time.
My joy and prayers of happiness for you and your little friend.
Please let me know how she is doing.
I did see a television program that white cats are susceptible to having this disease on their ears. The outcome is usually very successful.
Take care.
Read your post and I am so glad that your cat came through surgery very well. I know from stress and fibro this can be a difficult time.
My joy and prayers of happiness for you and your little friend.
Please let me know how she is doing.
I did see a television program that white cats are susceptible to having this disease on their ears. The outcome is usually very successful.
Take care.
I'm glad to hear that Jade is doing so well!
I'm sorry about your fibro - mine has been acting up too from stress. I also agree you have made the right decision keeping her at the vet's office for now, especially since they are so good to her.
Hugs,
Janet
I'm sorry about your fibro - mine has been acting up too from stress. I also agree you have made the right decision keeping her at the vet's office for now, especially since they are so good to her.
Hugs,
Janet
Hi hon, it sounds like Jade is doing great!!!!!!!!!!! It's awesome that her appetite hasn't been affected. Sure sounds like she's being a pig!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL That's good-the more she eats, the quicker she'll heal.
I'm sorry to hear that your fibro is acting up!! =( I know the stress hasn't helped ya one bit! It sounds like you made a good decision letting her stay at the vets until she's healed. You need to get well, too!!! It sounds like she's getting a lot of attention! Your vet team sounds great. Makes things so much easier for us when we have confidence in our cat's care. =D
Hugs
ZQ
I'm sorry to hear that your fibro is acting up!! =( I know the stress hasn't helped ya one bit! It sounds like you made a good decision letting her stay at the vets until she's healed. You need to get well, too!!! It sounds like she's getting a lot of attention! Your vet team sounds great. Makes things so much easier for us when we have confidence in our cat's care. =D
Hugs
ZQ
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