Cat meningioma (benign brain tumour) any experience?

[Cathelptumour]

My lovely cat (she’s almost 10) has had a couple of seizures two months apart. We won’t know without an MRI but the vet thinks most likely it’s a benign brain tumour.

We only have £3k of insurance which would possibly just cover the MRI but the vet said surgery would be £10-£12k and we can’t afford that. We are in London.

I’m so sad and feel so guilty that I can’t help her. I’ve no idea how long she may have. The vet said we can medicate to reduce the seizures when they become more frequent but without surgery that’s it.

Has anyone been though this? Thanks if you can share.

OP- have no experience in cats but do have experience in humans. Am posting as see you have not had any responses to date.
Meningiomas are predominantly slow growing tumours usually resulting from the membrane that surrounds the brain. They can be very slow growing so much so - some people do not know they have them.
Once they get to a certain size they can start to cause symptoms such as seizures, gradual weakness, changes in behaviour ( depends on what area of the brain it getting compressed).
Medication can help to reduce seizures - the main issue would be getting a cat to take tablets ( am a cat owner and I have had cats who would spit them accross a room), and could make them drousy. Not sure what lifestyle your cat has but a seizure can have risks if they are in high places and could fall. Tumours can also cause headaches.
Any brain surgery is not risk free ( which is why with some non problematic meningiomas there is a watch and wait approach), brain surgery in itself can increase long term risk of seizures/ can affect function post operativg with brain oedema- this can be short term but would need some recovery/ rehab.
I can understand the predicament you are in, especially as the future is unknown.
As a cat owner, if I was in this situation, I would not opt for brain surgery as you can’t explain to a cat what is going on, reassure them, make sure their pain/ symptoms are controlled and guarantee a good outcome.
I would try seizure medications and then establish what quality of life your lovely cat deserves.
Am very sorry.

I would not put a ten year old cat through surgery. And possibly not a younger one either. I'd focus on quality of life and symptom management.

@Toddlerteaplease and @StripyTrousers thank you both so much.

@StripyTrousers thanks for writing that out. It is very helpful. And yes I had been thinking the same thing - that I can’t obviously explain to her what’s happening and it would be all very distressing. Im worried about the tablets. The vet said there is a liquid option but still oral so I’m not sure if that will be any better. I’ll focus on her life now. She has a lovely cat life - her own microchipped cat flap, no other pets, the kids are great with her, she has free range over the house and scratches all the furniture she wants! She is my oasis of calm in what is quite a stressful life. I’ll start buying her the fancy cat food!

Echoing @StripyTrousers, no kitty experience, but human experience. That sort of brain surgery is enormous, and what cats bounce back well, recovery time may be lengthy.

After having helped a child through similar surgery I wouldn't put a cat through it personally. Sorry :-(

@Somuchgoo thanks so much for sharing your experience and I hope your little one is doing well.

I can’t afford the surgery anyway but reading these responses has made me feel ok about that.