fibrosarcoma

[miakitty]

My cat was diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma tumor last spring (the kind of tumor that is believed to be from vaccine injections).  We decided not to do surgery becuase it was very invasive and did not have a high sucess rate.  The tumor's size is now bigger than a plum, but smaller than a baseball.  It is on her back, below her shoulderblade.  In the last 2 days, I've noticed that it has begun to open slightly - as if she has been itching it or it is beginning to "pop" through  (I haven't seen her itch it, but I am at work during the day).  It is not an open would yet - is there anything that you know I can do to prevent it from becoming one?  Is there any type of ointment I could but on it?  I'm kind of lost on this.  I know the vet said that if the tumor opens and becomes infected, she will need to be put asleep, but I want to put that off as long as possible since she still really enjoys life.  Thanks for your help.

[SweetTani]

My kitty Tani, 14 1/2 yrs old was diagnosed with fibro sarcoma, on lower back, after needle biopsy by local vet mid- January 2013 and she offered to do the surgery. It was still small (olive size), but within weeks was quickly increasing in size. I decided to immediately take my sweet little furry to the Animal Medical Center in NYC, where I consulted with a top-notch oncologist (Anne Hohenhaus) who after CT scans and other tests, recommended surgery as well.  I had the surgery performed by an accredited and licensed surgeon, at AMC and they were able to remove the entire tumor and get clean margins. We're only 2 months since surgery, but my baby has fully recuperated and is her sweet loving self again, good appetite, playful...and we go back for our first check-up in @2 weeks. In view of the grueling protocol required for radiation follow-up and my kitty's age, I decided against that...but we will soon be seeing a holistic vet to continue giving her the best possible chance at long-term survival.

Needless to say this was a costly proposition, but I would do it again, in a heartbeat, to give my kitty the fighting chance she deserves. I'm not in a position to judge, but I do believe that our well-intentioned local vets, have no place performing these kinds of surgeries. If you were diagnosed with an aggressive, cancerous tumor would you want your primary care physician operating on you in the back room of his office...or would you choose an experienced  and credentialed surgeon, at one of the big cancer centers/hospitals, to do that job?

If you learn that your kitty has been diagnosed with a fibro sarcoma run, don't walk to the nearest and best animal hospital you can find...one with vets who have credentials in cancer treatment. This is not a job for your every day vet, who may be good for a spay/neuter surgery, but not specialized enough to do the best job when it comes to something as serious and complex as this. I think many may recommend euthanization because they are not up to treating cancers like fibro sarcomas, and believe that "it's not worth the cost to try to prolong the life of a cat, because there are so many out there in need of a home and you can get another one". They are often very pragmatic about these matters, since they are putting animals down every day, for one reason or another, and in many cases have become hardened and do not consider the bond we may have with our beloved pet.

Use your heart and best judgment to decide what YOU want to do for your kitty and don't let yourself be swayed by easy and quick pronouncements. If you can, seek a second opinion if you're not happy with the first..but try to get an "expert" opinion whenever possible...eg; at a Vet School in a University...their profs are training others and if you're lucky may be able to help.

[nitrosmom]

Don't wait long.. My 14 yr old male DSH developed an olive sized lump on his back in October/November of 2013.  In December it was biopsied and he was diaganosed with Fibrosarcoma.  The vet advised against surgery, partly due to his age, and partly due to the fact that this cancer is rarely, if ever, curable.   It's now May 5th, and he has huge tumours all over his body..some of them 15 to 20 cm in size.  He's lost a ton of weight, energy is zero, food intake next to nothing.  I imagine in the next couple of weeks we will be making a heartbreaking decision.  I keep thinking if maybe we got to it earlier, it may not have spread.   Good luck.  

[nitrosmom]

Don't wait long.. My 14 yr old male DSH developed an olive sized lump on his back in October/November of 2013.  In December it was biopsied and he was diaganosed with Fibrosarcoma.  The vet advised against surgery, partly due to his age, and partly due to the fact that this cancer is rarely, if ever, curable.   It's now May 5th, and he has huge tumours all over his body..some of them 15 to 20 cm in size.  He's lost a ton of weight, energy is zero, food intake next to nothing.  I imagine in the next couple of weeks we will be making a heartbreaking decision.  I keep thinking if maybe we got to it earlier, it may not have spread.   Good luck.  

[Elishabaii]

Do you have any advice on how to care for a seepy sarcoma/  My sweet Jake has begun this phase--open and seeping wound on his side.  The vet gave him an antibiotic injection and suggested a baby t-shirt with maxi pads inside to absorb the moisture and prevent further infection.  He's on the patio now in a baby gown (the kind with elastic around the bottom) with maxi pads stuck into the fabric.  He is very ashamed of his dress.

Suggestions please!

Elizabeth

[Elishabaii]

Do you have any advice on how to care for a seepy sarcoma?  My sweet Jake (15 yo cat) has begun this phase--open and seeping wound on his side.  The vet gave him an antibiotic injection and suggested a baby t-shirt with maxi pads inside to absorb the moisture and prevent further infection.  He's on the patio now in a baby gown (the kind with elastic around the bottom) with maxi pads stuck into the fabric.  He is very ashamed of his dress.

Suggestions please!

Elizabeth

[FLgang]

Don't vaccinate anymore, not needed. I myself don't get vaccinated (my early years/childhood) will have to do me for life. It's not for the health of your kitty, but for the vet's pocketbook IMO.  I have to get yearly leukemia vacs though on my non-leukemia kitties because I have 3 kitties with leukemia (I hate doing those).
I only recommend getting 1st vaccines on the ones when I adopt out & then not anymore.
I am also dealing w/ a huge fibrosarcoma on the base of the tail of one of our shop cats, very distressing.