Please say a quick prayer for one of my grand cats...

[Tina B and crew]

I'm rather surprised as well. Seems prudent to do it when Lilly was sedated for the biopsy. The sample was taken from the gums. I think it was near the space between the incisors and the canines or between the canine and the premolar, but it was definitely the gum and not the lip. Poor Bridget's intuition is that it is the worst, just from what she's seen over the years. I'm just praying the biopsy comes back benign. Of course then she will want to have the "lump" examined more closely I'm sure. Not sure why that was not addressed (or if it was why she didn't say anything to me...but she's been fairly stressed and may have just forgot).

I'm sending some good Doc "miracle" vibes along to sweet Lilly. She is such a precious cat. Shy as can be but when you get to know her she's so loving and gentle.

[Tina B and crew]

When I felt the lump under her chin it felt like it filled the hollow under her chin. But she was wiggling and putting up a fight so we kind of didn't bother examining it closely ourselves.

[Traci]

Oh what a beautiful little girl Lily is!!

I wish I could say for certain, Tina, the two areas could be unrelated and hopefully just an infection. I'm sending "Tabby" good thoughts and prayers too, he's my prayer buddy.

[Tina B and crew]

Sad news...it's squamous cell carcinoma.

[Traci]

Ugh, are they certain?

What about chemo?

[Tina B and crew]

That is what the biopsy results showed. My understanding is chemo isn't very effective. She's not sure she wants to put her through that. I suggested she consider consulting with an oncologist even if she was unsure about treatment. Finances are also a factor.

[Traci]

Well, sometimes chemo can hold it off for awhile. Generally, surgical removal/excision, then chemo (or radiation sometimes).

Yes, I strongly suggest she discuss with an oncologist so she knows what treatment options are available should she go forward.

I'm so sorry, Tina, my prayers remain strong for Lily!

[Tina B and crew]

Well, she's already started showing disinterest in food today, and her left submandibular lymph node is even larger than yesterday. Lilly doesn't do the vet thing well, she hides the rest of the day when she has to go. I can understand weighing the quality of her life against the quantity. No easy decision ahead and I am just sick about this. It sucks being 800 miles away. :.-(

[Traci]

The vet could start her on prednisone or prednisolone, that helps keep inflammation down.

Now what about the lump under the neck, is the vet going to do anything about that?

[Tina B and crew]

She mentioned the possibility of prednisone. Not sure what the next step is. She was pretty distraught when I talked to her this evening. I didn't want to grill her too much.