Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 10/3/2009

Question
I do not know if you can help me..I took my 12 year old cat to the vet today, because I had noticed that his lower jaw seemed to be swollen...He has never had any trouble with teeth falling out, or problems eating, he weighs 14 pounds as of today..a house cat, he has been very healthy his whole life, except for a bout with cystitis several months ago, which cleared up with antibiotics and never returned..he has a good appetite, and even still eats his wet food as a treat, as well as his IAMS dry, plus his kitty treats..imagine my horror when the vet looks at him, tells me he has jaw cancer, is going to die soon, and just take him home and give him tlc until he gets miserable and thin, and then he will put him to sleep...no xray, no test, just a flat diagnosis that took five minutes...i have been surfing the web all evening, trying to figure out what to do, weeping and looking at my friend..i don't want to give up on him, he never has given up on me, but i do not know what to do...i always thought that there had to be tests or something...some sites i visited said that jaw swelling could be a lot of other things..i am so confused I  do not know what to do..he does drool a little, and his breath is a little icky, but he always has bad breath when he eats his wet food....can you help us?

Answer
Hi Susan , Your vet has seen this many times before.  You have a nice vet and he/she was honest with you.  The vet could have Milked you for a bunch of money on tests...
This vet is givng you good advice.  LOTS of TLC.
So sorry, not much you can do.

Blessings to you two!

Marie Peppers LPN MA