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Thread: fibrosarcoma in cats...2nd update!

  1. #1

    fibrosarcoma in cats...2nd update!

    Last week I felt a large, hard lump by my cat's back/hip area near his tail. I took him to the vet over the weekend and she ran a series of tests including blood work, a chest x-ray and a needle aspiration. Both the blood work and the chest x-ray came back fine. No problems. I am still waiting on the results for the needle aspiration but the vet thinks it might possibly be fibrosarcoma or even hardened scar tissue of some sort. She can't really tell until she gets the results from this last test but she doesn't sound very optimistic because this lump is so hard and not soft like other lumps or bumps. She said if it is fibrosarcoma she will have to call in a specialist to have this tumor removed which can be very costly, possibly over $1,000. I would do anything I possibly can to save my baby's life but I am wondering from a financial standpoint how much can surgery and treatment run? I've spent over $400 already with this last visit. I guess I want to get a better idea financially what I need to save so I am prepared.

    I have been crying so much already. I just can't imagine my cat being sick. He does not act sick at all nor does he demonstrate the usual signs of an ill cat. He is using the liter box w/o any problems, eats and drinks just fine, and is playful. His coat is in excellent condition too, even the vet remarked how silky it was to the touch. If he had fibrosarcoma wouldn't there be some indication of it in the blood work?

    Anyway, I'm wondering does anyone here have any experience with fibrosarcoma? What should I expect? Everthing I have read so far has been pretty dismal.
    Last edited by fragrancehound; 11-09-2006 at 02:23 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sydney Australia
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    796
    I'm so sorry to hear of this and your distress. I don't know whether something like this would show up in the bloodwork. I lost a beloved cat to an aggressive form of cancer seven years ago, it was sudden. So I can imagine how you must be feeling. I cannot remember what type it was called, whether it was fibrosarcoma or something else, sorry.

    I just wanted to send some sort of reply and moral support, but I cannot offer any knowledge, sorry.

    What's the latest? Test results back yet?

    Can you take out a small short-term loan? Credit card?

    Please let us have an update, fingers and paws all crossed for you here. Healing thoughts and prayers coming your way.

    The TopCats
    Australia
    There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. (Albert Schweitzer)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    TEXAS
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    4,971
    First, welcome! How old is your cat?? We just lost our 14yr cat in June to intestinal lymphoma. Ralph was not doing well, so we weighed out the options and went with the least invasive for a cat of Ralph's age and personality. You will make the best decision for your cat...
    Nine is Fine!!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Posts
    334
    First of all, welcome to this wonderful site. There are so many wonderful people; all willing to offer advice or condolences when needed. I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying for your precious furbaby.

    I lost my precous Gideon to Fibrosarcoma 2.5 years ago. I did everything I could to save his life; even took him to Auburn University for a six-week radiation treatment. I drove down from Huntsville (8 hr round trip) every Friday. I would check him out for the weekend and we would stay at the hotel near the campus that catered to pets and their owners. All in all, Gideon had three tumors removed (two surgeries). Even now I question could I have done anything else; although I know I couldn't have. I spent just over $4,000, but I feel he was worth every dollar because of the unconditional love and happiness he gave me.

    Fibrosarcoma is an extremely agressive cancer and is believed to grow from vaccination sites on your animal. The tumors have microscopic "fingers" that extend into the muscle, making removal of a tumor almost impossible since you need microscopic surgery to "get everything". When even a tiny tendril is missed, the cancer grows back quicker and larger than before. I truly could not believe what I was seeing.

    There is so much I want to write/say. This is the first time I've been able to write anything about Gideon and his cancer, so everything is literally tumbling out of my brain/emotions/feelings. Please research your area and see if you have any homeopathic vets in your area. Agressive cancers aside, there are several successful treatments for cancer in animals AND humans that aren't dangerous like radiation and chemo are. Shirley's Wellness Cafe has a very expansive search and offers great information.

    My two cats I have now DO NOT get any vaccinations except for rabies. Shortly after Gideon went to the RB, my mother discovered a fibrosarcoma on her cat, Samantha Ann. Very fortunately for her, the vet removed the tumor, making sure he went as deep as possible into her leg muscle. She was left with the tiniest of limps, but compared with the alternative an occassional limp wasn't a problem.

    If you want to ask me questions or just talk, please email me at [email protected] - and I will be glad to help any way I can.
    Naranj's and P.K.'s Momma

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sydney Australia
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    796
    Little OrangeKitten - that sounds like exactly what happened to my Sapphire. Except it was not treatable. I actually had a feeling it might have been fibrosarcoma but didn't want to say so straight off because of the aggressive nature and dismal prognosis. I didn't want to upset fragrancehound and then find out I was wrong.

    Gosh I hope everything works out for you fragrancehound.

    p.s. I don't vax my cats now either. Rabies is not an issue here in Oz and there are no compulsory vax like you have.
    There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. (Albert Schweitzer)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
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    Hello again everyone,

    I wish we didn't have compulsory vaccinations here in the states; seems like we are so drug happy here. Got to have a vaccination or a drug for everything.

    I truly wish I had had someone to talk to when Gideon was diagnosed. I didn't find this site until December after he went to the RB in May 2004. I spoke at length with my vet about Fibrosarcoma and even ask her if legal action was possible against the companies that had developed the vax. Unfortunately, being able to prove the case would have been difficult. First of all because of the number of distributors and also because the manufacturers had since changed their formulas and gaining access to evidence would have been near impossible.

    Evidently, the ingredient that causes the cancer to form at the vax site is aluminum. The drug companies use that as a "encapsulator" to carry the medicine. They have since stopped using it. I honestly cannot believe why they would have ever used it in the first place. Aluminum is bad for humans; why wouldn't it have the same ill effects on animals?!

    One other option some vets employ is giving vaccinations in the tail. That way if the cancer develops the tail can be removed without the animal having any recurrence of the tumors. I still believe the best way is no vaccinations at all, unless you need to board your animals frequently or the animals are outdoor.

    Gosh, please forgive me for rambling on so. It seems once I started talking about this the words won't stop. I left work yesterday and went home and had a meltdown. I cried the entire time I was taking care of my kitties and while I cooked dinner. I still feel incredible guilt: #1 for allowing all those vaccinations when I thought they were good for him; and #2 for . . . I don't know...maybe for not being able to take away his pain or suffer it myself. I really need to get to the point where I can forgive myself.

    *sigh* Guess I'd better get to work here. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and FragranceHound PLEASE keep us updated on your baby.
    Naranj's and P.K.'s Momma

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Middle of Germany
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    8,761
    I'm very sorry! First of all, let me welcome you to this place, you'll find a lot of support and advice here!

    I hope the lump will turn out to be something else. Believe me, I know exactly what you're going through right now. Three months ago, I detected a lump between my Luna's shoulder blades, and immediately thought of a vaccine-related fibrosarcoma. It scared me to death and I cried for days. Luna was almost ready for surgery, but then we decided to watch the lump for a little while. It got smaller, so it's very unlikely that it's a fibrosarcoma! My vet thinks it's a harmless reaction to an antibiotic shot.

    Best wishes to you and your cat, please keep us updated!

    Kirsten

  8. #8
    I wish you every good thing, Fragrancehound, and I hope that you cat turns out to be healthy. Whatever happens, please know that your love for your cat will be your guide as to what you will do - that and your knowledge of what you believe your cat would want you to do.

    LittleOrangeKitten, I am very concerned for you, because your feelings seem to be so deep and so strong. Probably it is because, as you say, you have not been able to talk about them since the sad events themselves. I have an experience that has left me with guilt and self-doubt, too, and a great reluctance to talk about it, because I am afraid of being judged for my decision. (I decided, on behalf of my beloved Myrtille, to allow her to go on her own at home rather than be hastened along at the vet's, because she loathed the vet's so, and because she seemed to cling to and enjoy all the tiny things of her life that she could do, even as they became more limited. And yes, she did suffer - but I truly believe that if she could have told me in words, she would have made the choice I made for her. So I know what it is like to be left with feelings of guilt. You did so much for your Gideon, so very, very much. You thought you were doing the best for him by getting him vaccinated, too. I hope you will be able to let go of the pain and remember him with joy.

    All best to both of you - Fragrancehound and LittleOrangeKitten.

  9. #9
    Thank you for the support! I have been on such an emotional rolllercoaster the last 2 weeks that it has been very difficult to concentrate on work and such.

    After consulting my vet I decided to take my cat to a specialty center where they have an oncology dept. and specialize in more aggressive surgeries. Everything happened so fast. I made an apt. yesterday just for a consultation and exam but ended up agreeing to surgery that day. I just brought him home and he is doing ok. The mass was removed along with some leg muscle tissue so he is limping a bit but otherwise fine. The whole ride side of his body and front legs are shaven and he has these huge stitches. When I picked him up my heart sank. He looks so sad. I couldn't stop kissing him. Overall he seems in good spirits.

    The biopsy results should be in by next week. As of now I still have no idea if what was removed was cancerous or scar tissue. It scares the hell of out me because even though this mass was removed there still could be microscopic margins of it left and if that is the case we are back in the same position. Since the needle aspiration came back inconclusive I am hoping that the biopsy results come back with more information, hopefully positive info too!

    As of now I am finding it very difficult to keep him from jumping. I am so afraid that his stitches are going to pop open. Any suggestions? I've been following him all day and he is a little rascal. He wants to jump on everything.

    Edited to say that my baby is 10 yrs. old and still pretty feisty.
    Last edited by fragrancehound; 10-20-2006 at 05:56 PM.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
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    TEXAS
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    4,971
    You probably did the best thing by taking your cat to a specialized center where they deal with cancer alot. When Nicholas had surgery for mast cell tumor, a wide enough margin was taken. I bet they did the same thing when your cat had the surgery. But, it is scary and it is hard to believe that that could happen to your cat. And waiting for the biopsy result will seem like forever!! Just hug your cat! He must feel pretty good if he is that active!! Take care...
    Nine is Fine!!

  11. #11
    He seems like he is doing ok for the most part. He doesn't seem like he is in pain and he his eating well. I am however exhausted. It has been very challenging trying to keep him from not jumping. I've been trying to rearrange furniture and put away some of his climbing furniture/toys. It is just hard to keep an eye on him all the time and I really do not want to cage him..I don't even own a cage!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Sydney Australia
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    This brings back so many memories of that time with Sapphire. I know how you are worrying, I did too, but they are a lot tougher than we think. In fact, we think too much! We have cognitive intelligence that gets in the way of a lot of things, our animals just know what to do by instinct. Your precious little convalescent will not do more than he is ready for, but you are right to keep a motherly eye. Don't forget to take care of yourself too - so you can take care of him!

    Lots of love and healing prayers to you and your furbaby from the TopCats.
    There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats. (Albert Schweitzer)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Posts
    334

    Checking on Your Baby

    Hello fragrancehound,

    I wanted to post to see how your baby is doing. I read your last post and sounds like he wasn't in much pain and was bouncing off the walls.

    I know it takes a few days to get results on lab work, but please let us know as soon as you know. We care about everyone's babies and I wish you the best with yours. BTW - I didn't see his name mentioned anywhere...?
    Naranj's and P.K.'s Momma

  14. #14
    He has slowed down considerably the last few days. I think the initial first day he was just happy to be home. He seems to be doing ok considering everything. I've moved some furniture and closed off a few rooms to limit his activity. He is still jumping around here and there but less frequently.

    It has been a little easier to give him the liquid antibiotic too even though some of it ends up on me. I am still having a hard time giving him the pain meds but he doesn't seem to be in any pain at leat from what I can see. Sometimes he will take it and sometimes he won't. He is one stubborn cat!

    I called today to see if his biopsy results were in and the vet was off and the technicians are not allowed to read the results in case a client has questions that they can't answer. I don't know. I was told that the vet should be in tomorrow.

    BTW, my baby's name is Panther and he is 10 yrs old.


    This is the front view of my baby! I think I woke him up taking this photo.


    Here is the back view of him after surgery. His fur is already begining to grow back.
    Last edited by fragrancehound; 10-26-2006 at 08:10 AM.

  15. #15
    I just got off the phone with the vet and part of the biopsy results are in...Panther does have vaccine related fibrosarcoma. The vet still waiting on the rest of the biopsy to determine margins. She said the next step is to meet with an oncologist to see if I want to pursue radiation treatment for Panther. If I choose that option it is going to run between $4,000 to $5,000. I don't know what I am going to do as of now. I was really hoping that he did not have cancer, especially fibrosarcoma. I am going to make an apointment with the oncologist because I do have a lot of questions. I am so upset. I can't stop crying.

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