This week’s segment features Baxter the 12 year old cat! 🐈⬛ Baxter came to us when his owner noticed he had a large ulcerated mass growing on his upper lip. After performing an aspirate in the clinic it was determined that Baxter’s mass was a sarcoma. Sarcomas are a type of cancer that can form in the connective tissues of cats, such as muscle, fat, or under the skin. These tumors can sometimes grow quickly and become quite large, making them difficult to fully remove in one surgery.
When a sarcoma isn’t easily resectable, one option is a debulking procedure. While this surgery doesn’t remove every single cancer cell, it significantly reduces the size of the mass. Debulking procedures relieves pressure on surrounding tissues, slows the tumor’s regrowth and progression, and can extend quality time with your furry family member. In Baxter’s case his debulking procedure involved performing a skin flap to help return the lip to a normal functional structure. After his surgery, Baxter has been able to return to a normal and happy life! 🐈⬛🐾