Saturday, January 7, 2012

Sad Saturday

We are sad here because the sweet kitty of some friends of my humans has flown off to the Rainbow Bridge.  We don't have a picture to post, but her name was Peepers.  She was a very sweet black and white girlcat, about 12 years old.

Mom wanted us to post about this because of what caused her to die.   Peepers developed breast cancer.      She had surgery but the cancer had metastasized.     But it is important to know what the v-e-t said:   cats who are spayed before they ever go into heat have a very low chance of developing breast cancer.   Once thy have had one heat, the chances go up a lot and are highest for unspayed females.     So in addition to other reasons, this is a very good reason to have female kittens spayed.    If you have a female cat who had kittens and was then spayed later, her chance of developing the disease is quite high.    Apparently this is especially the case for Siamese cats.     It would be good to examine her nipple area for lumps frequently.   We can think of a couple of our girlcat friends who may be at risk.  The age it most frequently develops is after age 10.  

Fly free, Peepers.   We will see you again one day for sure.  

20 comments:

  1. Oh gosh that is so sad about Peepers. I haven't heard of many cases of breast cancer in cats but I am sure they are out there. Thanks for that good info and another terrific reason to get these cats spayed and neutered too. It is amazing how young these kitties come in season. Both of the kittens here have come in season and I am not sure of their age but I know they can't be much more than 5 or 6 months old. They are going for their surgery on Tues.

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  2. Oh Peepers, darling sweet girl. Your parents must be hurting with you gone. Flying away leaves our mom's and dad's so lonely without us but sometimes it's necessary so we can be ourselves again without pain and fear.

    Fly free sweetest girl. My baby girl will have greeted you as well as others and I know you are being shown about the Bridge and meeting many playmates and new furiends. xoxoxoxo

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  3. We are so sorry to hear about Peepers - thank goodness we were sent for surgery early.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  4. We are so sad to read about Peepers. And you give really good advice here which everyone should read. You are wise kitties.

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  5. So sorry to hear about Peepers. Fly free, Peepers.

    We are sending purrs to you and to Peepers family.

    Thanks so much for taking this opportunity to tell us about breast cancer... HH says she had never heard of it.

    Have a good day, pals.

    pawhugs, Max

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  6. We're so sorry to hear about Peepers. This is one reason that Truffle is being spayed at the end of this month before she turns 8 months old. Our breeder told us that silver shaded Persians mature at a slower rate, but Mom Paula isn't taking any chances. Surgery is scheduled for January 30. Brulee's will follow sometime in March or April.

    Truffle and Brulee

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  7. I am so very, very sorry to hear that news and we send lots of purrs and hugs to you and to Peepers loving family.

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  8. Poor little Peepers. We're so sorry to hear about her leaving us all to go to the Rainbow Bridge. We didn't know about the incidence of breast cancer if they have kittens before getting spayed. Too bad they have no way to counter that with special diet. When you adopt a female kitty, you don't really have much history to go on, either.

    We send comfort to her family and purrs to help them through this sad time.

    Tom, mom Julie & Mittens

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  9. Our purrs go out for you and Peeper's family, we feel so badly for them.

    Thank you for the information-our Sweet Pea had a litter before she was spayed so Mommy will pay attention to her teats from now on when Miss Pea gets tummy rubbings.

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  10. Poor Peepers. Yes, we knew that that cats who actually have one or more litters are at higher risk of breast cancer. :-(

    Purrs to Peepers humans at this difficult time and godspeed to Peepers herself.

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  11. I am sorry about Peepers. I knew the likelihood of getting breast cancer was higher for unspayed kitties, but I did not know that it remained high even if a kitty was spayed after going through heat and/or having litters of kittens. Thanks for letting us know this.

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  12. M says she never knew all that. Thanks so much for bringing this to out attention. Poor Peepers. Your hear just has to break for her and her oomans,

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  13. We're sorry to hear about Peepers. Thank you for the information about breast cancer in kitties. We didn't know this. We were both spayed very young but Mommy will still keep an eye on us.

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  14. So sorry to read about Peepers .....

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  15. I am so sad to hear about Peepers. Thank you for the info on cat breast cancer - I had no idea that was even a thing that happened in cats, but from what you said, Scarlett is at very high risk.

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  16. We are sorry to hear about Peepers and send comforting purrs to her family.

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  17. We are so sorry to hear about Peepers. Purrs to her family.

    And thanks for letting us know how breast cancer affects cats. We didn't know that.

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  18. Aw, we has the sorreez for your furiends. We think the Mr. Teeth and Clarkie joined the Admiral in welcoming Peepers to the Bridge. Purrs to her family.

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  19. Sorry that Peepers ran off to The Bridge. Interesting info on the breast cancer in cats.

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