I am posting this story in as many places as I can because when Lilly was first diagnosed I had a hard time finding anything.
Earlier this year, my 5yo glider, Lilly, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer is not super common, but not unheard of in gliders; however, breast cancer is extremely rare. I apologize, I do not have sources, but I remember what I read. Surgery is the most sure way to remove the cancer. As with all surgeries, there are risks, however, in gliders, the surgery itself has a good survival rate. It is far more likely that a glider will get sick or die from an infection following the surgery: this can be due to purely environmental factors or the glider picking at the suture.
At the time I am writing this, it has been 7.5 months since Lilly’s initial diagnosis. I did nothing at first, in case it was a case of cancer that turns benign (I have had some financial troubles so avoiding the medical bills of surgery were preferable).
Lilly’s eating and playing habits did not change much for a while, she became slightly more lethargic, but I had also just adopted a second glider who is very vocal and she was keeping us up at night. I kept the two in separate cages because the vet and I determined that it might be dangerous if Lilly wasn’t feeling well, the baby played a bit too rough, and then Lilly could snap at her and injure the baby.
After about 5 months, the lethargy and decreased appetite became apparent. Lilly started losing weight so I started giving her more things she really liked to eat, like meat, worms, peanuts, and apple juice mixed in with her water. This helped some, she ate more but continued to lose weight. In the month before we decided on surgery, Lilly started eating slightly more but ultimately lost 14% of her body weight.
I got a call from the vet not long after dropping her off for surgery. After shaving her stomach to allow them to perform the surgery, they were able to see 5 more tumors traveling up her chest in addition to the first one that had become visible. They told me this would increase the risk of the surgery but they could still do it so I had them move forward. Lilly is now at home recovering. I will keep this updated with her progress as to recovering from surgery.

Oh my gosh!!!

Prayers and to you both!!!

Thank you for posting and please keep us posted.

Thank you for sharing your story of Lilly. I'm sure it was very hard for you to type it all out, as well even harder to have this experience. You and Lilly both are in my prayers for comfort and healing. I wish I could do more, but that's what I can do.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Looking forward to continued updates on her health.

Such a tiny body to go under the knife! Keeping good thoughts for Lilly's speedy recovery...

for both of you.