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> Do Neutered Male Cats Get Breast Ca?
5catsmom
post Oct 4 2006, 12:15 AM
Post #1





Group: Pet Lovers
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Joined: 13-December 05
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I may just be grasping at straws here, and I can find no info and won't find out anything till I can talk to my vet ASAP tomorrow, but I'm really concerned about my adopted neutered male cat Bear. He was feral till I trapped him and had him fixed a few years ago, and have fed him for several years now. When it got cold last winter and one of my other adoptees Magic died I had him vet-checked and brought him inside and he's only been outside twice now when he's escaped briefly (less than an hour each time.) A couple of days ago he must have gotten in a squabble with another of my adoptees while I was in the shower, cause I came out and found black fur scattered around the room (Bear is a tuxedo-colored cat). Soon after that I noticed that one of his rear nipples was reddened, and tonight I discovered that it has a hardened mass around it, roughly 2 inches by 2 inches. Maybe it's only an abcess from the quarrel with Mitts, which I believe can be dealt with by draining and treating with antibiotics, but I'm absolutely terrified, after all I've read and responded to on this site, that this is some kind of cancer. I've found a few sites on the web where it says that the older males can sometimes get mammary cancers, but Bear is only about 2 - 3 years old, and there's always the exception.

I suppose I can't do anything till tomorrow, when I'll beg the vet to be able to bring him in (I have to find a ride, but I'd crawl on my hands and knees with the carrier in my mouth if necessary) but I'm just worried sick and can't rest at all. Bear seems very comfortable, and the mass seems as though it's not painful at all - he purred while I palpated it - and there's no other signs of illness, but I just don't know.

I guess I just needed to share my worries, since I can't think of anywhere else to bring this up. If anybody knows anything, I'm more than thankful for any advice, words of wisdom, anything. It's just that after the losses I've had this past year, I'm just almost frantic with worry. I'd appreciate your prayers, if anyone is so inclined - I've spent a large part of my evening on my knees praying. I hope this is much ado about little, but I just wish I knew.

Anyway, thanks for listening. There are so few outlets at this time of night, and it's just me and Bear here in bed now. Thanks again - Barbara
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Furkidlets' Mom
post Oct 4 2006, 01:54 AM
Post #2





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 1,208
Joined: 21-June 05
From: Canada
Member No.: 961



Barbara,

I don't know anything much about breast cancer in cats, except that the use of Ovaban ( megestrol acetate ) can cause it. It doesn't really sound like an abcess, as these are usually softer and rather painful, but if you think it might be one, you could try applying warm-water compresses for a minimum of 5 min's at a time through the night ( if you're not sleeping for worrying ) and see if anything starts to drain out. It may also be something like a skin condition ( like maybe ringworm? or an allergy? ) which could still be tricky to treat, but would certainly be better than other things. I wish I could be of more help!

I already have, and will continue to send prayers your's and Bear's way until we hear back from you about this. Hang in there and remember to keep breathing and thinking as positive as possible, and if you can't do that ( understandable ), know that others are doing it for you. Please let us know as soon as you are able what you find out.

Blessings and best of luck,
F's Mom


--------------------
"I dropped a tear in the ocean. The day you find it is the day I will stop missing you."

[center]~Anonymous~


<div align="center">"Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it"[/center]

~Fleur Conkling Heylinger~


>^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<


"For one species to mourn the death of another is a noble thing"

~Aldo Leopold~

<span style='font-size:9pt;line-height:100%'>Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage. ~Sri Aurobindo

Spay now or pay later, the interest is killing us.


</span></div>
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5catsmom
post Oct 4 2006, 08:44 AM
Post #3





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 479
Joined: 13-December 05
Member No.: 1,278



F's Mom,
Thanks so much for your words of support. As always, they mean more to me than I can say. Bear has an appt with our vet this morning, so I should find out something more definite. He's kind of a touchy cat (not touchy-feely, just touchy) so I think I'll let the vet do as much for him as possible, and take over from there. I hadn't even considered those other options, but you're right, they're certainly much better than the alternative. I'm wearing my Groucho's guardian angel pin now, so I know I'm not alone in all this, and that and the prayers will do more for Bear than I could ever do by myself, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will definitely post later today after I know something more - if there is something to know (I have to believe!). Thanks again - Barbara
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5catsmom
post Oct 4 2006, 09:22 PM
Post #4





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 479
Joined: 13-December 05
Member No.: 1,278



Well, Bear went to the vet early this morning (I was actually 45 minutes early cause I was so worried,but they fit me in). The vet doesn't seem terribly concerned, says it may be an infection, inflammation or hernia, unlikely that it would be a cancerous type thing. So he wants to treat it medically for a week with a med called albaplex, and if there's no response he wants to remove it. Already the nipple area looks less reddened, so I'm more optimistic tonight. The real issue is giving Bear the pills - they're fairly large and he fights like a son of a gun when I, with the assistance of my son, give him one, so tomorrow I'll call and see if there's a liquid form. It's a yellow pill and he drools bright yellow all over the house afterward but doesn't seem to hold it against me afterward for forcing this horsepill down his throat , however he scratches and growls during the process.

Anyway, we'll see what happens. I'm feeling more at peace now, and the vet really likes Bear- says he's a carbon copy of a cat he himself owned till recently, when he (the cat) passed away. I'm feeling the faith, so thank you very much - Barbara
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TheresaJDIY
post Oct 4 2006, 09:45 PM
Post #5





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Member No.: 1,975



If it is not a pill that needs to be given whole (timed released) You might try dissolving it in warm water and then put it in really smelly cat food to disguise the taste. I used clam juice, juice off salmon can or mackerel to disguise the pills for Yoda's chemo.

Theresa
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Furkidlets' Mom
post Oct 5 2006, 12:20 PM
Post #6





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 1,208
Joined: 21-June 05
From: Canada
Member No.: 961



Well, PHEW! I hope things turn out well for Bear and you. Will keep you both in my thoughts. You might want to check out this site, as I know it had a really good section on pilling cats, with links to some really helpful vet sites with videos on all the tricks and proper methods of getting this job done with more ease. Sorry, I don't still have the direct links, as I erased them soon after Nissa's passing. You might also want to see if you can find a product I found here in Canada ( but was probably from the US ) called "Pill Pockets" ( the feline version ). They're soft-sided, flavoured, hollow pieces of food ( we tried the chic*ken ones ) that you pop the pill inside of ( and can break off pieces of and remold into smaller pockets if need be, like if the cat is smaller ). I tried giving one small section, plain, first, to make sure she'd swallow it whole first, then put the pill into the second section....then gave her another plain section after, to really make the point! Unfortunately, the second day's pilling, she crunched the section with the pill, so all was lost, but it's worth a try if you can find them. Just try a Google search if your vet doesn't carry them ( and if they don't, I'd suggest to them they OUGHT to! )

Tanya's Feline CRF Information Site


--------------------
"I dropped a tear in the ocean. The day you find it is the day I will stop missing you."

[center]~Anonymous~


<div align="center">"Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone,
But still miraculously my own.
Never forget for a single minute,
You didn't grow under my heart - but in it"[/center]

~Fleur Conkling Heylinger~


>^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<


"For one species to mourn the death of another is a noble thing"

~Aldo Leopold~

<span style='font-size:9pt;line-height:100%'>Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage. ~Sri Aurobindo

Spay now or pay later, the interest is killing us.


</span></div>
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5catsmom
post Oct 7 2006, 09:09 PM
Post #7





Group: Pet Lovers
Posts: 479
Joined: 13-December 05
Member No.: 1,278



Actually, the vet suggested something called a pill-popper (what a name, huh?) that's a long syringe type thing with a long rubber tip on it. You're supposed to put the pill in the end (I cut it in half first), insert the tube to the back of the throat, and push the plunger and the pill goes down the back of the throat. I was dubious, but it actually works. The first few times I pried his jaw open - man, that cat has a jaw like a pit bull, almost unmoveable if he's so inclined - and the pill had actually gone down. It still takes 2 of us to hold him down, but it works. And maybe it's my imagination or wishful thinking, but I think the hardened area around the nipple area has gotten smaller and softer, so I'm cautiously remaining optimistic.

Thanks for your encouragement, folks. If this thing goes on for awhile, if there ends up being bad news along the line, those other devices may end up helping. As always, people come through here when it's most needed. Thanks again - Barbara
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