I think most of his nose is going to be removed. From what I've read, they'll try to remove a bit of the area surrounding the tumor that isn't infected with the cancer so that they're sure they got it all.
... Thanks everyone. I have to get his carrier and his blankie ready now, so I'm going to jet.
Sending thoughts for poor ole'Marshmellow.
If his nose is being removed (!) how will get on. I mean I know he will be able to breath and all that but is this going to be difficult and will it 'scab' over. Though as long as he pulls through it all okay I guess you will all cope.
Yellow/orange kitties have the same problem. My older girl Penny had cancer on her ears and nose when she died. The vet just said she was too old to operate so they didn't want to do anything drastic (she was 17 when they found it and 19 when she died).
They're going to have to remove pretty much all of his nose and a good portion of skin on either side of it as well (in hopes of getting rid of all of the cancerous cells). He should be able to breath just fine, although I'm under the impression that his sense of smell is going to be affected. The vet said that he's going to look kind of 'pig-like', with two small holes and what is left of his nose (almost like a snout, but up higher on his face). It makes me sad that he has to go through this, but he'll fare better afterwards. He is at the hospital now and will go in for surgery tomorrow morning. I won't be able to bring him home until at least Thursday morning.
Poor Marshmallow. U of P has a very good reputation, though, so I'm sure he'll be okay. So what if he looks odd - the main thing is that they get it all. A friend has just had to have both ears of one of her cats amputated for the same reason.
It is best to protect your catâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s vulnerable bits with a sunscreen containing titanium dioxide, which is insoluble in water and safe for cats.
For our european memebers it's a product called Sun E-45 is non-toxic to cats and offers UVA/UVB protection.
I'll be thinking of Marshmallow tomorrow. Loves and healthy vibes to him, and ((((HUGS)))) to you Jillian for being such a great Mommy to this little guy who I'm sure still remembers not even having a home, let alone all of the love and care you are giving him!
The vet at UPenn called at 1230p... He said that during his surgical rounds that he had become aware of a new treatment.
It's a lazer treatment of some sort. Marshmallow will be given a drug... the cancer cells absorb most of the drug... then, 3 days later, when a lazer is projected on his nose, I guess the cancer cells illuminate and can be burned and killed by the lazer.
So... we're going to try it! It may have to be repeated, but hopefully, we'll get it all the first time.
And since it costs a fraction of what the surgery would..
Jamie, I only need $400 now!
Ahhh... I'm so happy! Thank God for His favors, and thank TCS for its board magic. (=
Oh, that makes me so happy! I just talked to Jillian (I hate not having internet access at work *sigh*) and found out about all this. I believe the drug will be administered on Friday, but Jill can tell you for sure. (I really was listening, I was really just hung up on the fact he wouldn't have his nose removed.) I hope this procedure will work for Marshy and that he'll be rid of the cancer for good.