At least get the biopsy done, it will tell you for sure whether it's
cancer or not.  Nobody says you have to have chemo done if it is cancer, but
at least you would know.

 How long can they live?  Nobody can answer that, could be weeks, months,
years.

 Weight loss could be attributed to something else and not cancer.

 As far as putting her down because of moving to a new house - again the
cat could live for another five years - as long as people are around that
she loves she will become comfortable.  I would not put a cat to sleep
because it *might* have cancer when I move.

 Anytime you bring a new animal into a situation its' stressful for the
existing pets.  They need to be gradually introduced to one another.  They
will either become friends or just tolerate one another.  She might need a
little extra attention to help her adjust, just so she knows she's still
wanted.

 > Hi everyone,
 >
 > New here, Been a cat owner for at least 20 years.  My last cat lived to
 > be 22.  anyway,  Kittyhawk,  my present cat.  has been with us since 96
 > or so.  (she walked into my vacation house on the outerbanks.  hence her
 > name).  She is about 11 or 12 and honestly is probably the best damn cat
 > I have seen.  excellent mouser and has scratched the 2 kids (3 and 5)
 > exactly 3 times.
 >
 > anyway in the fall I noticed some blood on the floor.  turns out she was
 > bleeding from one of her claws.  I didn't think much of it since she
 > likes to leap from the 2nd floor and has been known to get into a fight
 > once and a while.  I cleaned her up and let her go about her business.
 >
 > Well she re-injured it a couple of more times so I finally brought her
 > to the vet,  thinking maybe she mangled one of her claws.  Turns out its
 > a growth about the size of a pea growing between her toes. (looks like a
 > bloated tick).  and she has lost about a pound and a half since last
 > year.
 >
 > she goes into get it removed tomorrow.  The vet is pushing me to have a
 > biopsy and xrays done. (800 buck)  I am tempted not to do it since even
 > if its cancerous there isnt a chance in hell I am going to give a cat
 > chemo.  On top of which she really isn't showing any outward signs that
 > she is sick.  She has been a bit slow lately but she may just be showing
 > her age.  Plus its been really too cold for her to go out.  Other then
 > that she still tears around the house jumps and generally is a normal
 > cat.
 >
 > On the other hand we are moving in 45 days and were thinking about
 > getting a dog but if she is sick I am not gonna make her miserable with
 > another pet in the house.  Plus quite honestly depending if she is sick
 > and her remaining lifespan I might choose to put her down before we
 > move.  (nothing worse dying someplace other then your home)  though part
 > of me feels like it would be a waist since she is showing no outward
 > signs.
 >
 > So now a few questions
 > 1) if it is cancerous how long do they usually live?
 > 2) are there "less agressive" cancers in cats.
 > 3) if a cat has had a cancerous tumor for 7 or 8 months what are the
 > chances of them showing no other signs then weight loss.
 >
 > thanks in advance

If you dont want to pay to get the biopsy done, I would at least pay to have
the lump removed. And i certainly would not even consider "putting the cat
down".

there is no hard and fast rule with cancer.. its the same in cats as it is
in humans

yes

the weightloss doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the cancer.
Like in humans, it can grow for a long time before it causes a problem.

if it were me, Id do the biopsy.  That way you know for certain, and when
and if something else pops up, you will have a better idea how to handle it.
I just had a lump removed from my cat.  Fortunately it was just a lymphoma,
but if it had been cancer, I could have prepared myself to keep a better eye
out for more lumps, and make sure they weren't making her uncomfortable.  If
you can't afford it, then definitely have it removed.  Make sure the surgeon
who does it is someone who is good.. ask the doctor  who he would have
remove something like this from his own cat.

as for the move and the dog.. both are highly stressful for a cat in perfect
health.. again.. if this were me, id get the surgery out of the way before
the move.. provide lots of attention and surround the kitty with stuff from
the old house at the new house till everything is moved in.  Im moving in
the next few weeks.  Im going to put my guys in a back room with my favorite
chair and blanket and their scratching post, with food and litter until
we've moved everything in.

If you do get the dog.. make sure the cat has a place where she can get away
from the dog if it becomes obnoxious to her.. a tall cat tree.. a room with
a baby gate in front of it.. etc.

As you aren't planning to give your cat chemo if she has cancer, it probably
doesn't make sense to go through the biopsy. I know what you are going through.
I had to put down my previous cat due to cancer. She was old and, toward the
end, I realized that I was just keeping her alive for my selfish needs, while
ignoring her best interest.

As your cat's tumor is in her paw, it might just be a growth and isn't
cancerous. Yes, I know the vet talked about biopsy and xrays, but that what
vets do. So, as it might just be a growth, I don't know about killing the cat
just because you will move. Most cats would prefer adjusting to a new home than
die, especially if your cat might just have to recover from a growth, which is
perfectly operable. If you have the growth removed and it returns in her paw or
elsewhere, then as least you know it might be cancerous and can decide from
there.

Dik