Old girl with invasive squamous cell in leg

[welliguessitwouldbenice]

Hi all, I adopted my old Rommie in July knowing she had metastased cancer, I wanted to give her all the things she never had. She’s recently started to experience some pain which seems to be managed by para/codeine from the vet. Vet said it’s not usually described long term but fine for my girl, we know she doesn’t have long. Vet said her tumour may ulcerate. It’s grown very quickly and the skin is stretched and shiny and I will watch it like a hawk. She’s still very pacey on her walks and will try to chase squirrels and foxes but always on the lead. Is there anything you’ve done to help preserve the skin over such a tumour? She’s getting all the cuddles and all the treats but I want to spare her any discomfort possible. Cheers all

Hi OP Firstly
I hope she enjoys her time with you

Is she also on metacam or another NSAID?

I'd want at least a couple of Painkillers that work on different pathways.
It's great she's still active and well in herself.

In terms of the skin, keep it well moisturised - coconut oil or other non-toxic Moisture users should be fine to help as the skin stretches. Try and discourage her from licking.

Is it a squamous cell carcinoma? Does she have other clinical signs?

Most importantly, speak to your vet and try and plan/manage the euthanasia as much as possible. It's much better to have an earlier, well controlled and calm euthanasia than a last minute urgent one

Thank you so much @Veterinari x

She was on Loxicom but it gave her diarrhoea so vet said to give her 5 days on paracetamol to let her tum settle then try her on a new gen NSAID, which we will from Friday.

It’s a carcinoma, spread to her lungs. But vet can hear her breathe fairly clearly throughout lungs and she does go full extension on the lead on walks, though does pant a bit. I let her decide how far to walk.

It’s evenings that the pain seems to kick in so tonight I distracted her with a little walk (she’s total sniffer ) and a cheese slice with her Yumove. She doesn’t over lick the tumour but I could try some natural oil on it too keep it moisturised.

The rescue I got her from had another old girl with the same and they became concerned that her veins were protruding excessively and didn’t want her to catch one and bleed.

Thank you for you advice re her last days, I will plan with the vet on Friday.

Meantime, she’s basking in the ear and tummy runs and endless kisses on her frosty, velvety snout.

Thank again for replying x

*rubs. Runs was last week

That all sounds good. Yes you do get increased blood supply to large tumours so that's worth keeping an eye on.

Also I'd suggest asking your vet about gabapentin.

Paracetamol and the new NSAID sound great but it may also be worth adding in gabapentin as that can help with bone/nerve pain and has some anti anxiety effects too

Def try and plan as much as you can

Thank you @Veterinari. I’ll take your sound advice x