What seemed like a simple tummy trouble turned out to be much more serious.
When a 9-year-old Siamese cat named Tini was brought to the vet for persistent vomiting and loss of appetite, doctors discovered a massive tumor taking up 70% of her stomach. At first, surgery looked impossible, but in a surprising turn of events, the medical team managed to remove the tumor while saving part of her stomach.
The 24-Hour World Pet Animal Medical Center in Seoul reports that Tini was referred to them for advanced testing after initial treatment at another clinic.
A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a shocking sight: a huge tumor-like mass occupying about 70% of Tini’s stomach. The silver lining? No signs of spread to her lungs, liver, or other organs.
Initially, the vets thought the tumor’s extensive reach would make surgery a no-go. They planned to do an exploratory procedure and biopsy, then decide on chemo.
But when they opened Tini up on day two of her hospital stay, they got a pleasant surprise.
The tumor was indeed massive, invading 70% of the stomach as the CT had shown. But in a twist of fate, the surgical team realized they could safely remove it. They quickly pivoted to a full-on tumor removal.
In a delicate operation, they managed to excise the tumor while preserving about 30% of Tini’s healthy stomach tissue. They snagged samples for biopsy and chemo sensitivity tests, stitched her up, and wrapped the surgery without any anesthesia hiccups.
Post-op, Tini stayed at the hospital to recover. By day three, she was lapping up small amounts of water. When she couldn’t eat on her own, the caring staff fed her watered-down liquid meals in tiny, frequent doses, keeping a close eye on her progress.
Tini’s appetite slowly returned, and her condition stabilized enough for her to head home six days after surgery. Now, she’s undergoing chemo based on her biopsy and sensitivity test results.
The verdict? Tini’s tumor turned out to be lymphoma.
Dr. Cha Jin-won, who heads the World Pet Animal Medical Center, explains that lymphoma is one of the usual suspects when it comes to cat cancers. The tricky part is that cats are masters at hiding their pain, so it often catches these diseases late in the game. His advice was that if your kitty’s throwing up or turning their nose up at food repeatedly, don’t brush it off as just an upset tummy. Get them checked out thoroughly.
He adds that for the feline seniors over seven, yearly check-ups are a must – every six months is even better. Early detection is key in keeping the furry friends healthy and happy.
