4047. Skin tumour in a Norwegian Forest cat

Norwegian Forest Cat, 7 years, FS, 4.4 kg.  Normal except thrombocytopaenia (low blood platelets)*.
Big black nodular skin tumour 2 cm x 1.5 cm x 1 cm seen.

Anaesthetic risks - xylazine+ketamine IM + isoflurane gas
Surgical risks - dangerous internal bleeding can occur post-op
Electro-surgery used.
Bandage on head after surgery to prevent bleeding and haematoma

If this is a malignant tumour - resection margin of skin from tumour to be 1 cm ideally, in case  malignant cells have had migrated to skin.

Wound stitched after tumour removal to be circular of 1.0 cm diameter. Large wound. Z-plasty needed to release tension instead of just stitching up the circular wound which will break down due to high tension in this area below the ear.

Clipped bald - no other skin tumours seen 

OUTCOME. The owner is happy with the cat surviving the anaesthesia and surgery. He nurses the cat at home. Cat is eating normally now. Photo of cat on Day 3 from owner. 

MORE INFORMATION AND UPDATES AT:

  https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2021/11/4047-skin-tumour-in-persian-cat.html

*Low blood platelets   156.  Normal is 300 - 800 x 10^9/L
1. Active, normal appetite and drinking normal. Urine and stool normal. 
2. Not short of breath
3. No skin bruises
4. No anaemia, kidney or liver disease
5. Total white cell and red cell count normal.

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