My cat has cancer. What should I do next?

Original Question: Any ideas on how to help shrink my cat's cancer and is there anything I can use besides Buprenex for pain? - Dale

Oct 20, 2018

Hi Dale,

Sorry to hear that you are dealing with this problem.

I assume from your question that you have performed the appropriate procedures and tests to confirm that your cat has cancer. The fact that there is a gloved hand and an endotracheal tube in the picture you sent, I assume this is at your veterinary office and taken during these exams and tests.

The next step would be to confirm the type of lesion that is present by waiting for the results of the biopsy. You would further consider performing a process called staging where tests are run to determine if there are any other lesions in your cat’s body which may indicate the spread of the lesion if it is indeed cancerous as you say.

Feline cancer treatment would be based on the identification of the lesion and the extent of it which you would now know from the results of the above advice. My license does not permit me to discuss medications at all but I can tell you that if you are looking for the most recent and successful treatment options that exist, you could consider a visit to a veterinary oncologist who specializes in treating these diseases. They also have access to the most current medications and treatment options. Even in an initial discussion, they would be able to share a great deal of experience and possible outcomes for whatever this lesion is discovered to be. They are the ones that treat the most difficult cases that occur in our pets.

I hope this helps.