A cat named Mozzarella is marking his 21st birthday years after surviving a life-threatening brain tumor, thanks to a complex surgery performed by specialist vets.
Mozzarella, named for his soft white fur, was diagnosed with a falcine meningioma—a tumor that took up nearly a third of his brain. The tumor was removed at Cave Veterinary Specialists, a Linnaeus-owned facility located near Wellington, Somerset.
Neurology expert Dr. Simon Bertram, who led the procedure, called it one of the largest brain tumors he had ever seen in a cat.
“Mozzarella arrived at Cave after showing signs of unsteadiness and circling to the left for about two weeks,” said Dr. Bertram. “An MRI scan confirmed the presence of a very large mass. We suspected it was a falcine meningioma and offered surgery.”
The operation proved difficult. “Mozzarella underwent a challenging surgery as the tumor did not want to come out without a fight,” Dr. Bertram added.
Despite the odds, Mozzarella made a full recovery. According to his owners, he’s returned to his normal life—with one humorous change: a newfound obsession with roast chicken.
Now 21 years old, Mozzarella is not just a survivor, but also a rare example of how expert veterinary care can give even the most serious cases a second chance.
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