Cat with persistent diarrhea
October 2002
Has anyone had experience with their cat having nasal squamous
cell carcinoma? I took my cat to the vet last week and it was
suggested that at this point - the nose should be removed (i.e
the area that's cancerous). I think this is my only choice (vs
chemo or radiation). Has anyone had this done to their cat? If
so, where and what was the cost, and how did the cat fare?
thanks
This is a common treatment for SCC and cats seem to tolerate this
well. But the success of this procedure depends upon keeping the
cat out of the sun for the rest of his days. Once the affected
portion of the nose is removed the remaining tissue should be
sheltered from the suns radiation. Many people choose to use
sunscreen daily, but the best remedy would be to keep him
indoors. Best wishes....
Vet RN
One alternative for Squamous cell on the nose is to contact Dr.
Jane Turrel in Pacifica. She does cobalt radiation treatment
for the nose that is fairly successful. Surgery for squamous
cell on the ears is easy, but on the nose it is more difficult
unless the tumor is very small and on an easily removable site.
Also, you need to protect the kitty from sunlight in the future
to prevent recurrance.
A local vet
I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. Our cat had the same problem
and we first tried radiation which did not work - cancer came
right back. We then had the nose removed and it was very
successful, adding at least 4 years of quality life to an
already older cat. Charlie Berger at Campus Vet in Berkeley(549-
1252) did the surgery. Cat recoverd quickly and was fine until
he died of the inevitable feline end - kidney failure. I would
do it again, and skip the radiation. And I wholeheartedly
recommend Berger. He's a terrific vet, experienced, an excellent
surgeon and diagnostician and an especially wonderful person. I
don't remember the costs but it was typical for vet surgery. All
the best to you and your cat.
Debby
Try calling UC Davis -- they used to do a non-surgical
technique that was quite successful.
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