More Problems For Andromeda

JJ's Calico Tabby cat Andormeda was diagnosed with cancer over two years ago. It is a form of sarcoma that may be triggered by a genetic disorder. She received and innoculation during a medical checkup and aa month or so later developed a lump from that. We had her checked and a biopsy produced a diagnosis of Basal Cell Sarcoma. Surgery was performed to remove the lump and the veterinarian reported that they had good margins and were confident that they had removed all vestiges of the growth.

Over the spring, about two years after the surgery Andromeda is now carying more lumps. It has been unusual in that there has been an occurrence of two lumps that have appeared and then receded. But there is another lump that appears to be growing.

The cat was attacked by our pet Ferret Cinamon before all the lumps started. Andromeda needed veterinary care for that. The wound was slow to heal and became a much bigger issue than just the bite could account for. The examining veterinarian concluded that the cancer was active again and performed more surgery to remove the tissue they thought was cancerous. They said they were not able to remove it all and recommended radiation therapy.

Even with the surgery, the wound from the Ferret bite was slow to heal and Andromeda had to be caged to imobilize her to help the healing process. It took a couple of months but the area healed leaving a small spot that was perpetually scabbed over. The lumps that came and went occurred after this.

We decided not to pursue radiation therapy or more surgery as the convalesence period after the Ferret bite and surgery was quite protracted. We wanted her to have some quality time as opposed to being sequestered in a cage for months recovering from surgery.

It appears the quality time may be over and radiation therapy costs are prohibitive.