A Tabby Cat Named “Luna” With a Large Tumor on Her Face

 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 💖

A Cry in the Dark: Two Neglected Kittens and the Compassion That Gave Them a Fighting Chance

There are moments in life when the world seems to pause—moments when something small, fragile, and easily overlooked lets out a cry that somehow cuts through the noise around us. That is how this story began. In a world where countless animals walk through hardship unseen, two tiny kittens found themselves standing at the edge of life with almost no strength left to hold on.

Their arrival at a local veterinary clinic sparked immediate concern. They were so young, so thin, and so weakened that even experienced rescuers felt their breath catch. These kittens had been abandoned—left behind to fend for themselves long before they had the ability to survive.

They were no older than a few weeks, yet their bodies already bore the unmistakable signs of prolonged neglect.

A Desperate Arrival

The rescue team had been alerted by a concerned resident who had seen the kittens huddled together in a dark corner of an alley. When volunteers reached them, both kittens let out soft, strained cries—sounds that carried exhaustion rather than energy. Their coats were dull and unkempt, their tiny frames trembling not only from hunger but from fear.

Their eyes were clouded with infection, barely opening beneath the buildup of irritation and swelling. It was clear that these conditions had been affecting them for far too long. Their voices, meant to sound bright and curious at their age, were instead hoarse and barely audible.

Inside the clinic, the team sprang into action. The kittens were offered warm food, but even the smallest bites overwhelmed their weakened digestive systems. The hunger they had endured had gone beyond simple starvation; their bodies were no longer capable of handling normal nourishment. The medical staff spoke in gentle tones as they worked, knowing the kittens needed not only physical treatment but comfort after what they had endured.

Each kitten carried pain, but one—the smaller yellow female—was especially fragile. Her condition was complicated and deeply concerning. Her eyes had suffered severe damage, leaving her unable to see. Her breathing was shallow, her appetite inconsistent, and her body weight dangerously low.

Her sibling, a small tabby, faced its own battle. Though the tabby kitten had retained some vision, it was threatened by infection that required immediate medical intervention. The veterinary team administered fluids, began nutritional recovery, and monitored both of them closely, balancing urgency with gentleness.

The Hard Reality of Neglect

The truth behind their condition was heartbreaking, not because it was dramatic, but because it was preventable. Malnutrition does not set in overnight. Eye conditions do not worsen instantly. Fear doesn’t take root in healthy environments.

These kittens had been overlooked for a long time—long enough for their bodies to grow frail and their cries to grow faint.

The woman who first saw them told the rescuers that she had noticed them hiding near an abandoned building for several days. She had tried to approach, but the kittens, scared and confused, would retreat into the shadows. It wasn’t until she noticed their growing weakness that she realized they needed urgent help.

The rescue team knew that every hour mattered.

Hope in Difficult Moments

At the clinic, the yellow kitten was given a warm blanket, gentle handling, and supportive care designed to ease her discomfort. She struggled with eating, so the vet placed a warm compress near her abdomen to help soothe the tension caused by nutritional deprivation. Each movement she made was slow, cautious, and tinged with exhaustion.

Yet, even in her weakness, she displayed a soft resilience. She leaned gently into the warmth offered to her. She responded to quiet voices with faint, hopeful noises. She rested her head against the hands of the staff who took turns watching over her.

Her sibling, the tabby, also faced serious concerns. The medical team hoped to preserve as much of her vision as possible, knowing how vital it would be for the pair. Serum therapy was essential, but her anemia made treatment challenging. Her little heart beat with determination, but her body still struggled to keep up.

Even so, she showed an unmistakable will to survive—nuzzling into blankets, trying to walk despite fatigue, and seeking comfort from the caregivers tending to her.

A Community Rises

Word of the kittens’ condition began to spread. Photos and updates shared online quickly reached hundreds of people. Messages poured in:

“Please keep fighting.”

“How can we help?”

“They deserve a chance at a beautiful life.”

Donations followed—some small, some large, all given with heartfelt intention. Families brought supplies to the clinic, offering anything that could support the kittens' recovery. Volunteers signed up to help the rescue group, and others offered their time for future cases.

The kittens, though too young to understand, had inspired a movement of unity and compassion.

Small Victories in a Long Journey

Recovery was slow and uncertain, but progress began to appear in subtle, beautiful ways.

The yellow kitten, though unable to see, started responding to familiar voices. She would stretch her neck toward the sound, recognizing the people who spoke gently to her each day. Her appetite slowly improved, and she began to enjoy soft, warm meals specifically prepared for her condition.

The tabby kitten’s infection began to stabilize. Her vision remained fragile, but there was hope. The team kept her close to her sister as often as possible, allowing the bond between them to remain a source of comfort and stability.

They slept curled together, their tiny heads resting against each other, finding warmth not only in blankets but in their companionship.

Every improvement, no matter how small, felt monumental.

What Their Story Teaches Us

These two kittens may never know how many people have followed their journey or how deeply their story has touched hearts. Their presence in the world—though quiet, humble, and nearly overlooked—has already begun to inspire change.

Their story reminds us of several truths:

Animals feel hunger, fear, and loneliness deeply.

Neglect causes long-term suffering that cannot always be seen from the outside.

Compassion begins with noticing.

Every rescue effort—big or small—has the power to change a life.

The financial strain on the rescue team remains a challenge. Long-term hospitalization, nutritional therapy, ongoing eye care, and the medications required for their recovery come at a cost. Yet the rescuers remain steadfast, driven not by convenience but by a shared belief: these kittens deserve a chance to experience safety, warmth, and love.

Choosing Compassion in a World That Often Looks Away

The kittens’ cries—soft and frail as they were—sparked a wave of empathy that united strangers. Their suffering became a reminder that many animals silently endure similar circumstances.

When we choose to look, to listen, to care, everything changes.

• One person reporting an injured animal.
• One rescuer stepping forward.
• One veterinarian giving their all.
• One community offering support.

These small actions create ripples that reach far beyond a single rescue.

A Future Shaped by Kindness

Their path ahead remains delicate. The yellow kitten will need lifelong support and a safe environment where she can thrive despite her blindness. The tabby kitten will continue fighting for her remaining vision. Both will require time, patience, and homes filled with understanding.

But they are no longer alone.

And that is everything.

They now have the warmth of hands that feed them, voices that comfort them, and hearts that refuse to give up on them. They have become symbols of endurance—tiny bodies carrying enormous strength.

Their story, though born from neglect, is blossoming into one of hope.

Because even in darkness, life still reaches for light.

And sometimes, it only takes one act of compassion to guide it there.