Sneezing Cat...Cancer?

[sandb123]

My 15 year old large male sweetie cat developed bad breath and drooling back in Feb/Mar of this year (2015). He was on three rounds of Amoxicillin (Seemed to clear with antibiotics but return). We got him in for dental check under anesthesia July 14th. (My dad was dying, needed to save money for procedure, and then it took time to schedule) The vet called while he was under anesthesia and said his tooth had just fallen out (big molar, three roots,left side.)  She said there was a great deal of bone erosion and so she suspected a tumor, but advised us not to put him through a biopsy.  She said it could also be an infection of the bone and there was no way to tell except to try antibiotics to see if they helped.  They helped enormously at first.(Clindamycin 3ml/day) First week after tooth came out he did great, gained weight, no sign of pain, etc.  Only problem was his left eye was weeping clear fluid when he ate. This weeping never occurred before the tooth came out and started the afternoon after it came out. Vet says it is probably inflamation) Our vet stopped the antibiotic after 7 days but symptoms returned. She looked at him again (very hard to see the area without sedation). She said she still suspected a tumor but that the area did look a little better so maybe we simply needed to be more patient... she also shook her head and commented that he looked great. Prescribed Clindamycin for a whole month.  His only symptoms after a day or two back on was increased sneezing (or reverse sneezing and some snorting) He was doing incredibly well after 1/1/2 weeks on antibiotic again, but we started having problems getting it into him. Called the vet on Friday Aug 18 and her assistant suggested holding the antibiotic over the weekend. Called on Monday and couldn't talk to vet until Tuesday afternoon.  She suggested giving antibiotic only every other day.  He was off it for almost 5 days while waiting for vet. And we are never sure how much he actually gets when we give it to him.  For the last few days he has been reluctant to eat dry food but eventually does.  Will eat soft (smooth) foods with no particles (baby food, yogurt) Yesterday seemed especially "snuffly" and sneezing in the am but seemed quite fine except for minor snuffles in the evening. He ate dry and smooth wet food last night. I sometimes think he get things stuck in the hole where his tooth came out, tho this morning was the first time he has actually pawed at his mouth. This morning he is was incredibly snuffly, sneezing almost constantly, but eventually ate some dry food and some smooth wet food.  He simply will not eat wet food with any particles in it.. And broths make him sneeze a lot. I asked vet last time we talked about the possibility of a fistula (Opening into his sinuses from large hole where tooth came out.)  caused either by a tumor or (a better evil) tooth infection. She seemed to think not, but was unclear why not, except to say she still thinks it is a tumor. I am once again waiting for her to call me back, but kitty is very uncomfortable now...1:30 pm) sleeping fitfully and sneezing snorting when he is awake. Has anyone had experience with mouth/nasal tumors or fistulas.  I am going to see if we can get some kind of imaging done..tho at this point I don't know if it makes sense to put him under for that.  I trust our vet...but we have no clear indication of tumor and he has done really well until just lately on antibiotics..(.and he really hasn't gotten consistent antibios for the last week or more...)  He has remained fastidious and looks really good, except this morning every time he tries to lick himself he starts sneezing.  Any comments would be much appreciated.  I am worried sick about him and the hours waiting for the vet to call seems like days. Thank you very much.

[opus88]

thanks for the update, sure hope your baby continues to improve. yeah those dental specialist do cost an arm and a leg....so unfortunate everything has to be so expensive. wishing you both the best♥

[sandb123]

Oh, and no we have not had blood work done since July 14th when he was sedated for the tooth procedure.  Everything then looked fine. I will ask vet if it would make sense to do anything else. Thanks much for your thoughts!

[sandb123]

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts. He is doing much better than he was earlier in the week.  (I really thought he wasn't going to make it.)  He is eating well again -even dry food- and seems to have gained some weight in just the last few days. He is talking up a storm and interacting again with his "siblings." The only symptom now is the runny eye occasionally and some sneezing. I went back to daily antibiotic instead of every other day, (and told the vet I was doing it!)  and within two days he was responding very well. He really hates the stuff and I hate giving it to him.  We have had him since he was a very tiny kitten and this is the worst thing we have ever had to do to him.  He is such a big  trusting gentle guy and he just doesn't understand why we are making him take this nasty nasty stuff.I am spending a great deal of time with him to reassure him we love him dearly. I have contacted two vet dental specialists but they cannot get him in for several weeks. (And we will have to sell our house to pay for it--just kidding but I would!)  My vet would like to wait another week or so til he finishes the full month of antibiotics and then get him in under sedation to look at the site where the tooth came out and get an X-ray at least, but she is not set up to do dental x-rays. So we are in limbo, but at least I feel like he is doing well for now.  I really appreciate all the things you all have written- it has helped a lot to know I don't have to figure this out all alone and your suggestions have been great. Many thanks.    

[CML2014]

OH I WOULD NOT TAKE A TECHS WORD FOR SOMETHING LIKE CANCER!!!!

A cats tooth can fall out with out it being (God Forbid) !

They never even took an x-ray. So what kind of answer is that. Some vets are just too lazy with an elderly cat figuring they are OLD. Well so am I and no one better be lazy about diagnosing cancer because they want to put me out to pasture. I will scratch and claw until I get an official diagnosis.

....and yes, the antibiotics can stop working once your cat is off of them because the tooth root is being re-infected. Opus may be right, but I am happy to hear you are taking this further to be sure. He IS everything to you, after all.  We don't give up that easy.

One thing for sure the sooner the better with finding out since poor little man is probably in a great deal of pain and should at least have some of the good stuff (pain meds).

Please keep us posted, K?

CML

[SamanthaCat]

Sorry to read all of this, but great advice given by the group. My advice is to get an x-ray because that is the only way to see what is going on - it will reveal weather there is a tumor or a dental issue.  All the meds for something you are not sure of could be simply delaying things and not relieving the pain. An x-ray was the only way I found out my cat had liver cancer (my previous cat) and it's the definitive proof you need. Have you had blood work done recently?

[sandb123]

Thanks bunches for your comments. I am in the process of trying to set up a phone consultation with the nearest dental specialist (in Mass, we're in Maine). I am trying hard to remain positive, and everyone who has responded has helped. Thank you.

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, I've had a cat that had his canine come out and it was NOT cancer.  I would definitely get a second opinion from a veterinary dental specialist, before jumping to any conclusions about cancer.  And, I would take the vet tech's opinion with a grain of salt.  A tech is not a vet-nowhere close to the same training.

Try to remain positive, until it's proven to be cancer.

Best best wishes to you.

ZQ

[sandb123]

Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have been through this with many animals...thankfully very old ones. I will call immediately in the morning about buprenex...he is flinching some which is very new. The vet's tech assured me just a little while ago that he has cancer...(please see my reply to CML). From your post I know you must love your babies so very much, too.  Thank you very very much.  

[sandb123]

Thank you so very much for your thoughts. I have just been to the vet to pick up a new homeopathic med... I could not talk to her today, but the technician said the remedy is for cancer. Also keep him on Clindamycin for secondary infection.  She (the tech) said the only reason a carnaissal tooth falls out is because of osteocarcinoma...or sarcoma?... then she said they had hoped it was only an infection...?? He is breathing better tonite and is hungry.  I will try to find a dental specialist anywhere near here (we are in Maine).  I have looked at stomatitis info before...will ask the vet if I ever get to her...and will certainly look into finding someone else. Again, I Really appreciate your time.  I love this boy dearly.  

[opus88]

me again.....CML post came in while I was typing, so I didn't read it until afterwards. what she suggested is possible. but I'm thinking if it is a root causing all this...and that is quite POSSIBLE....the condition more likely can be FORLs....feline oral resorption lesions. the top of the tooth decays while the root is absorbed into the bone, a very very painful condition. I currently have a kitty that has this, he has been through many surgeries with a board certified oral surgeon...because a regular Vet can not properly remove the roots...the roots start to become absorbed into the bone, thus just removing the tooth will not stop the pain.....so if this is what your kitty has ASK YOUR VET....than with the root remaining it definitely is causing tremendous pain..if this is what kitty has than YES, he needs to see a Veterinary Oral surgeon asap....meanwhile INSIST on buprenex..this is a med that works especially well on nerve pain caused by this disease....wishing you luck to find some answers...♥

[opus88]

oh your poor dear baby.....I'm afraid to say after this many rounds of antibiotics I'm inclined to agree with your Vet in thinking tumor..there is something irritating the nasal passage thats why all the sneezing :(
One of my dear babies named Bailey had to be put to sleep quite a few years ago now, in 2002 I believe.
she was also 15 or 16, sorry bad memory these days. she began sneezing alot and after many Vet visits was sent to a teaching hospital in the city where they did xrays and found a nasal tumor. they told me there was nothing they could do that would work as almost ALL nasal tumors were cancer and very difficult to treat in that area.
I took her home, soon she stopped eating as her smell diminished...cats will not eat if they cannot smell their food. and shortly after that the sneezes turned bloody. I than decided it was time, I didn't want to see her suffer
the pawing at the mouth your kitty is doing is a strong indication he is experiencing pain in his mouth or nasal passage. I really hope your Vet will prescribe him some pain medication and I have learned one of the best ones for cats is buprenex.
In my opinion I would keep him comfortable with the meds and as long as he continues to eat something just do a wait and see....
but if he stops eating than IMO again, the kindest thing you can do for a loved friend is put him to sleep, you can go ahead with an xray if that would make you feel better, but further tests and treatments will only prolong this poor baby's misery. I'm sorry to give you such depressing advice. I do wish I could be more positive for you.
Please let us know what your Vet recommends but please insist on some pain meds...
((hugs)) to you both..I can tell how loved your kitty is and its very hard to make that final call ♥

[CML2014]

Hi Sand,

Well you sure have covered all your bases . I know what it is like to have questions for the vet and wait by the phone for them to call--agonizing.

The way I see it we have to be advocates for our kits getting the proper diagnosis and meds....and if that means calling everyday then so be it.

It sounds like all this started with a bad tooth infection. The large tooth that fell out might still have the root base in there . He needs to get an x-ray of his teeth. If one fell out maybe others have broken off and the roos are still in the gum line----VERY PAINFUL. Look up a condition call Stomatitis--tha bad breath, inability to eat,sore throat --that all can be caused by this.

Normal vets do not see this often so they just assume teeth cleaning is all that's neede never going any further. I would have your vet x ray the teeth and see if there are root fragments left--if there are, need I say more????

Now I would consult with a Veterinary Dental Specialist---I would not trust a regular vet with removing cats teeth---too tiny and pieces can be left causing severe pain. The tearing is probably from excess pain .

The only cure for Stomatitis is to have all teeth and  their roots removed and at 15 I am not sure that would be advisable, but speak to the specialist and remove what needs to be addressed now, and then pain meds , sometimes prednisone (yuck) bad systemic repurcussions, but hey, when your 15 years old and can't eat and enjoy life--it is the worst of 2 evils, right.

Anyway --Please , Please talk to your vet about this and let us know how your little man is doing, K?

CML