Nose Amputation on Cats

Nose amputation may be necessary if a cat develops a nasal tumor. Such a tumor occurs primarily in the nasal cavity, but may be found in other parts of the cat's face. Feline nasal tumors do not normally spread but are almost always malignant. Nose or partial nose amputation is often carried out in conjunction with other treatment such as radiation and intralesional chemotherapy, which involves drugs' being injected into the cancer site.

  1. Causes

    • Cancer is the most common cause of nose amputation. One of the most common nasal tumors affecting cats is known as squamous cell carcinoma, which appears on the nonhaired part of the nose. It is especially common in older cats. Other types of nasal tumors in cats are lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue) and carcinoma (cancer of the epithelial tissue).

    Outcomes

    • According to the PetWave website, surgical removal of lesions along with surrounding healthy tissue often cures squamous cell carcinoma. Aggressive surgical treatment is an excellent option if the cancer is caught early, is not too extensive and does not involve the mouth, lip or other areas of the skin. Other nasal cancers may be more difficult to treat, as the nasal cavity is deep and it may not be possible to perform surgery. According to the Pet Alive website, chemotherapy may be effective in treating such tumors if surgery is not a viable option.

    Symptoms

    • Being aware of the symptoms will lead to early diagnosis and treatment, which can mean an improved outcome; catching the disease earlier may means that a veterinarian can save part of the nasal tissue or have a better chance of carrying out effective reconstructive surgery.

      Symptoms may include sneezing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. These symptoms are also common for less-serious medical problems such as inflammation or allergies. Symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are more pronounced; they usually appear as crusting, oozing or bleeding sores or a mass on the cat's face or around the nose, eyes or ears. The cat may scratch at the affected area.

    Considerations

    • You may have to consider whether surgery on the cat's nose should be combined with other treatment. Pet MD states that in cases of nose cancer, surgery may not be effective as a treatment option on its own: “Radiation therapy (radiotherapy), when combined with surgery, has shown positive results for some animals. In some cases, chemotherapy is also prescribed.” Your vet can advise you on the best option for your pet.

    Prevention

    • No one wants his pet to go through the trauma of surgery. Moreover, nasal surgery is more complicated than other forms of surgery. You can help prevent squamous cell carcinoma in your cat by limiting her exposure to sunshine. Use sunblock on the tip of the nose and ears if your cat likes lying in the sun. White cats should be kept indoors, as they are more vulnerable to this type of cancer. Take your pet to the vet for regular checkups as well.