On June 30th I rescued a stray cat. His name is Marshmallow and he is a beautiful, white, DLH. When I rescued him he had a huge gash on his left ear. We have been treating that gash with Derma-Clens ever since, but the wound will not heal. Recently it got infected. He is now on antibiotics for that.
So there's the background. Because my cat is white, has been a stray for nearly 6 years, and has a wound that will not heal, my vet think that his wound may very well be cancerous.
I have a few options at this point. I can get a biopsy done... If it comes back positive, the ear will have to be amputated. If it comes back negitive, I can contine to treat the gash with ointment and antibiotics, if need be. However, my vet has suggested that I may want to think about pretty much skipping the biopsy and going right to the amputation. If we do a biopsy and it comes back negitive, she is pretty sure that the ear will be deformed when (and if) it (ever *sigh*) heals. Removing the ear at once will ensure that Marshy does not have to 'go under' twice. He has been in an ecollar for nearly 2 months now, with no sign of the wound healing.
I'm at a loss as to what to do. I want to do what's best for my little guy. I know that that cut cannot be comfortable and that he would function well without an ear, but I'm still torn on what the best decision is.
Here are some pictures (although blurry) of the wound... WARNING!! Kind of graphic!!!
www.patshead.com/marshmallow/stuff/ear/ear01.jpg
www.patshead.com/marshmallow/stuff/ear/ear02.jpg
www.patshead.com/marshmallow/stuff/ear/ear03.jpg
www.patshead.com/marshmallow/stuff/ear/ear04.jpg
www.patshead.com/marshmallow/stuff/ear/ear05.jpg
Advice would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
Jillian and Marshmallow
Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Re: Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Jillian, it doesn't sound like your vet has seen this before, so for this reason, I strongly suggest a second opinion.
Based only on the pics, it doesn't look good, and it appears a biopsy is necessary, regardless. If there is an actual solid mass within the ear and it is not bloodfilled, but rather hard and firm massy tissue, then a biopsy is definately warranted.
The reason you want the biopsy is to determine first, IF this is a cancerous growth. If it is, you need to know the type so that you know the correct treatment approach and whether or not to expect metastisis. You would also have to know that so that you could followup on re-evaluation, check chest and adomen (x-rays) for signs of metastisis, etc. Without a biopsy, you'd be approaching and treating it blindly.
My first guess would be melanoma because he was an outdoor kitty and all white. But, there are various other types of growths to rule out and I would suggest as soon as possible. If he has been allowed to self mutilate his ear due to scratching, etc...the problem is only going to get worse. It may not be healing with topicals because it very well could be a growth....treatment usually involves excision and depending on the type of growth, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Again, this is where the biopsy tells you how to proceed.
I sure hope it ISN'T a malignant growth, but don't risk this further, get a second opinion immediately, until surgery is discussed, other treatments can be approached to reduce inflammation, infection, etc. Poor baby, he must be miserable...please post what you find out.
Based only on the pics, it doesn't look good, and it appears a biopsy is necessary, regardless. If there is an actual solid mass within the ear and it is not bloodfilled, but rather hard and firm massy tissue, then a biopsy is definately warranted.
The reason you want the biopsy is to determine first, IF this is a cancerous growth. If it is, you need to know the type so that you know the correct treatment approach and whether or not to expect metastisis. You would also have to know that so that you could followup on re-evaluation, check chest and adomen (x-rays) for signs of metastisis, etc. Without a biopsy, you'd be approaching and treating it blindly.
My first guess would be melanoma because he was an outdoor kitty and all white. But, there are various other types of growths to rule out and I would suggest as soon as possible. If he has been allowed to self mutilate his ear due to scratching, etc...the problem is only going to get worse. It may not be healing with topicals because it very well could be a growth....treatment usually involves excision and depending on the type of growth, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Again, this is where the biopsy tells you how to proceed.
I sure hope it ISN'T a malignant growth, but don't risk this further, get a second opinion immediately, until surgery is discussed, other treatments can be approached to reduce inflammation, infection, etc. Poor baby, he must be miserable...please post what you find out.
..........Traci
Re: Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Traci,
Thanks so much for the quick response. I'm a member of TCS, and Hissy (Mary Ann) suggested that I talk to you because, quite frankly, besides my vet, there aren't any reputable ones around where I live. So, you kind of ARE my second opinion... and that opinion is very much appreciated.
He hasn't been ALLOWED to scratch and self mutilate the ear, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't done it. He was in a soft ecollar for awhile, but for the past 3 weeks or so... maybe more, has been in a plastic one.
I will call around and see if there are any vets with a clue who I could get a second opinion from. If there isn't, I will take him in for just the biopsy, then go from there. It really tears me apart to think of him loosing his ear, but it hurts more to think that he's in constant pain.
Thanks again for all of your help (=
Jillian and Marshmallow
Thanks so much for the quick response. I'm a member of TCS, and Hissy (Mary Ann) suggested that I talk to you because, quite frankly, besides my vet, there aren't any reputable ones around where I live. So, you kind of ARE my second opinion... and that opinion is very much appreciated.
He hasn't been ALLOWED to scratch and self mutilate the ear, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't done it. He was in a soft ecollar for awhile, but for the past 3 weeks or so... maybe more, has been in a plastic one.
I will call around and see if there are any vets with a clue who I could get a second opinion from. If there isn't, I will take him in for just the biopsy, then go from there. It really tears me apart to think of him loosing his ear, but it hurts more to think that he's in constant pain.
Thanks again for all of your help (=
Jillian and Marshmallow
Re: Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Jillian, if you are in perhaps a rural area, it would be worth the distance to get a pro opinion....I can't stress this enough.
Speaking from experience with cancer, I urge you to get that second opinion, you truly need to know what you're dealing with. I can't see the pics well enough to even venture a guess....but what I can see is a great deal of blood, torn tissue, and possible massy tissue. The approach thus far would obviously not target a tumor, antibiotics will help combat secondary infection, but I don't think it's enough. You may have to opt for a short course of prednisone to help reduce inflammation, and if a tumor, it may shrink it to a more favorable excision size.
If your vet is not that experienced with cancer, and considering he couldn't give you a guess, that second opinion will be worth everything to you and your kitty. If your vet had planned to remove it or amputate the ear, and then not know how to proceed with treatment thereafter, then you truly don't know what to expect. With a more experienced vet you will have the options spelled out to you. A more experienced vet may be able to tell you upon exam what he/she suspects and will consult you accordingly.
Please keep us updated and know my prayers are with Marshmallow that this is not a malignant growth, but don't wait, get a new opinion ASAP.
Speaking from experience with cancer, I urge you to get that second opinion, you truly need to know what you're dealing with. I can't see the pics well enough to even venture a guess....but what I can see is a great deal of blood, torn tissue, and possible massy tissue. The approach thus far would obviously not target a tumor, antibiotics will help combat secondary infection, but I don't think it's enough. You may have to opt for a short course of prednisone to help reduce inflammation, and if a tumor, it may shrink it to a more favorable excision size.
If your vet is not that experienced with cancer, and considering he couldn't give you a guess, that second opinion will be worth everything to you and your kitty. If your vet had planned to remove it or amputate the ear, and then not know how to proceed with treatment thereafter, then you truly don't know what to expect. With a more experienced vet you will have the options spelled out to you. A more experienced vet may be able to tell you upon exam what he/she suspects and will consult you accordingly.
Please keep us updated and know my prayers are with Marshmallow that this is not a malignant growth, but don't wait, get a new opinion ASAP.
..........Traci
Re: Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Hi Jillian,
Glad you posted here. Poor Marsh this looks dreadfully painful. Do they have him on any type of pain meds? I hope those are just blurry and my eyes are aren't going from me!
Good luck with the biopsy. I will be thinking good thoughts. Poor Kitty!
Glad you posted here. Poor Marsh this looks dreadfully painful. Do they have him on any type of pain meds? I hope those are just blurry and my eyes are aren't going from me!
Good luck with the biopsy. I will be thinking good thoughts. Poor Kitty!The smallest feline is a masterpiece.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Re: Posibly cancerous ear... need professional opinion
Hi MA,
Jillian has gone to bed, and I know at least one answer, so I thought I'd post for her. She told me you suggested posting here, and being as sick with worry as we both are over it, I had to come see if any advice was given.
Marshmallow hasn't been put on any pain medications. Our new vet prescribed the ointment that she's been applying 3 times daily for him, and I believe it was this past Monday, put him on an antibiotic. I want to say it's Clavamox by the look of it, but I could be wrong, I didn't check the bottle when I was visiting her.
The last time I talked to her tonight, I believe her plan is to take Marshmallow in for a biopsy, and see if there's a more experienced vet to get a second opinion from. Sadly, we probably go to the best vet in the area.
Oh, and MA, the pictures are very blurry. You don't need new glasses.
Thanks for all your help.
-Jenn (A very worried kitty-aunt)
Jillian has gone to bed, and I know at least one answer, so I thought I'd post for her. She told me you suggested posting here, and being as sick with worry as we both are over it, I had to come see if any advice was given.
Marshmallow hasn't been put on any pain medications. Our new vet prescribed the ointment that she's been applying 3 times daily for him, and I believe it was this past Monday, put him on an antibiotic. I want to say it's Clavamox by the look of it, but I could be wrong, I didn't check the bottle when I was visiting her.
The last time I talked to her tonight, I believe her plan is to take Marshmallow in for a biopsy, and see if there's a more experienced vet to get a second opinion from. Sadly, we probably go to the best vet in the area.
Oh, and MA, the pictures are very blurry. You don't need new glasses.
Thanks for all your help.
-Jenn (A very worried kitty-aunt)
-Jenn