We will share the rescue story and treatment process of a tabby cat named Canon, whose cheek was swollen with a large tumor, in two parts.
※This blog does not contain any graphic wounds, but it does include photos of swelling and tumors. If you are uncomfortable with such images, please refrain from viewing.
Our first encounter with Canon was in the spring of 2024.
A request came to our chairman:
“There is a cat with a large swelling on her left cheek. I want to take her to a hospital, but she’s very wary and impossible to catch. The swelling keeps getting bigger. What should I do?”
The photo that was sent showed a tabby cat with a tumor-like swelling on her left cheek, almost as big as her face itself.
As soon as we saw the photo, we decided: “We will rescue her and provide the best treatment we can.”
With the cooperation of the person who reached out and the locals who had been feeding her, we managed to capture Canon and bring her into safety.
The first step was initial medical care and examination of the swollen area at the veterinary clinic. The vet suspected it might be a salivary gland cyst (ranula), but said further detailed tests were necessary. A blood test was scheduled for a later date.
Next, we had to find a foster home.
Interestingly, four years earlier, very close to the place where Canon was rescued, we had also rescued another cat named Manon.
⬆️ This is Manon.
(She will later play a very important role!)
When we saw a picture of Canon with her mother cat, the resemblance between her mother and Manon was striking. Manon’s foster instantly felt: “Canon and Manon must be sisters!”
So, Canon was also welcomed into the care of Manon’s foster home. Since she was Manon’s sister, she was given the name Canon 🎵
Lying down was difficult for her because the swelling on her cheek got in the way...
Later, Canon underwent blood tests. The possibilities included granuloma, eosinophilic dermatitis, and salivary gland cyst, but nothing was definitive. The exact cause and diagnosis remained unclear. It was decided that Canon would undergo further detailed examinations at a university hospital.
Until then, she was given steroids and monitored. To make sure she took her medication properly, she had to stay in a cage.
Canon was very wary.
Every time someone passed by → Hiss!
Every time her food or water was changed → Hiss! Swipe!
Even so, she took her medicine every time without fail, as if she understood it was for her own good ✨
Good girl, Canon — we love you! ❤️
Regular vet visits were also essential to monitor her progress.
To prevent escapes, Canon had to be placed in a laundry net before going into her carrier. But just being put inside the net scared her so much that she sometimes wet herself, making every hospital trip quite a commotion.
Still, once inside the laundry net, she was calm and even allowed gentle petting. It was a precious chance to stroke her whole body and shower her with affection 💕
The medication seemed to be working. The swelling gradually shrank.
⬆️ Compared to when she was first rescued, when the tumor was as big as her face, the size had noticeably reduced!!
In this first part, we shared Canon’s rescue and the initial stage of her treatment. Her treatment is still ongoing.
Cats living outdoors have an extremely difficult life. No matter how much they suffer, they can hardly ever seek help on their own.
Thanks to the efforts of many groups and individuals, more cats are being found and saved these days. But still, many suffer silently without anyone noticing.
Through Canon’s story, we hope to shed light on this reality. Please look forward to the next update.
— West Tokyo City Community Cat Association
A Tabby Cat Named “Canon” With a Large Tumor on Her Face — Part 2 —
This is the continuation of Canon’s rescue and treatment story. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, please check it first.
※This blog does not contain any graphic wounds, but it does include photos of swelling and tumors. If you are uncomfortable with such images, please refrain from viewing.
In Part 1, we shared that the swelling had started to shrink with steroid treatment while awaiting tests at the university hospital.
Now, at last, Canon underwent examinations at the university hospital. She received a CT scan and five different pathology tests.
The results:
The tumor was not malignant.
However, even after all tests, the cause remained unknown, and no diagnosis could be made.
There was no sign of any foreign substance (that might have triggered the swelling).
The options: continue medication to reduce the swelling, or perform surgery to remove the tumor. A decision needed to be made before the next visit.
It was a difficult decision for her foster family. But in their heart, they already knew:
“I want her to have surgery so she can live more comfortably like other cats.
I want her to be able to groom her left paw properly, which she can’t do now because of the tumor.”
Of course, there was a risk: opening the affected area might lead to no improvement. But with the chairman’s consent, they decided to go ahead with surgery, considering Canon’s age and future life.
⬆️ Even while eating, the large tumor clearly caused her great difficulty.
On the day of surgery, Canon’s blood type was tested. Surprisingly, she turned out to have the rare Type B, and the university hospital had no supply of Type B blood on hand. Without a donor cat, surgery was impossible.
So, the surgery had to be postponed.
Medication helped somewhat, but the foster family desperately wanted her to have surgery soon…
At that moment, Manon — Canon’s sister — walked across the room. The foster suddenly thought: What if…?
They contacted the university hospital and asked to test Manon’s blood type.
The result: a perfect match!
Canon could undergo surgery, and it was confirmed that the two cats were indeed sisters ✨
⬆️ Canon right after surgery
On surgery day, both cats also passed the crossmatch test. The operation went smoothly, and after the tumor was removed, Canon’s face looked so much smaller she was almost unrecognizable. She stayed in the hospital for three days, then returned home wearing an Elizabeth collar to rest in her cage.
⬆️ Brave Canon after her big surgery ✨
Two weeks later, at her regular vet, her Elizabeth collar was removed. Her surgical scar had healed beautifully 🌠
When she returned to her cage at home, her foster saw her grooming her left paw — something she couldn’t do before because of the tumor — and was moved to tears.
Once she had recovered, Canon also began training to get used to human touch.
At first, she allowed strokes on her neck and back using a back scratcher. Slowly, she got used to being petted more directly.
⬆️ She still looks a bit scared — like Doraemon with the collar 😅
Eventually, she was let out of the cage and started to feel comfortable around the house. Today, she enjoys her freedom, and her expression has become calm and gentle 💓
Later, Canon’s vet finally gave a diagnosis: chronic purulent inflammation.
It is said to be partly constitutional, meaning she will live with it for life. But now that a diagnosis exists, any changes can be treated quickly, which gives peace of mind.
To detect changes early, it’s also important for her to continue getting used to human touch. Cats tend to hide signs of illness, so daily interaction is vital for humans to notice subtle changes.
Even Manon, rescued as a kitten, still doesn’t like to be touched — so reaching that goal with the sisters may take a long time (laugh). But with patience, they will always be watched over with love.
⬆️ Canon and Manon, two sisters together ❤️ Their faces look so alike!
Since Manon, Canon’s sister, has the same rare Type B blood, she has now been registered as a donor cat at the university hospital. She may help other cats in the future too.
Finally, we want to express our deepest gratitude:
To everyone who worried about Canon and helped rescue her,
To the local vets who treated her with such care,
To the doctors and staff at the university hospital for their devoted medical support.
We hope you will continue to watch over Canon with love 💖