Three weeks ago I took our older cat, Isis, in for a teeth cleaning because she had started to drool a little and was getting bad breath. During the procedure, under her tongue, the doctor found a lump. Not good. Biopsy confirmed our fears: squamous cell carcinoma; an aggressive form of cancer that is apparently the most common type of mouth cancer in cats. Isis is 18 and would be 19 in a few weeks. She has been on meds for hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure for awhile so, we decided against any invasive treatment and have just been trying to keep her as comfortable for as long as possible. She is such a fighter - the vet calls her a "tough little girl." She still has spirit, runs around the house, jumps up on furniture or into our laps and purrs, looks out the window at the birds feeding... but it is getting increasingly difficult for her to eat - the tumor is starting to impede her ability to swallow food, even the mushiest we can give her. So, I am afraid even though she still has spunk, the time is very near, probably a matter of days, as the spunk won't last much longer without enough food intake and we're certainly not going to let her die of malnourishment.

It never occurred to me that cats could get mouth cancer like this (thought it was just humans who smoke or chew ) but looking into our cats' mouths is something we will try to do - if they don't bite us that is - going forward. I also learned that this form of cancer is most common in white-coated cats, especially those who sun themselves (what cat doesn't?) and they tend to get it on their ears, mouth or nose. Our other cat is white. Apparently, it is suggested that you put sun screen on a white cat's pink areas before letting them out or even laying in the sun by the door. Hopefully, she'll get used to it. I will try to post photos tonight or tomorrow night of our precious Isis and Athena cats.

Beth, I am very sorry to hear about Bonnie Cat.