My heart is bleeding.

[kittykatharine]

I am so upset right now.:( I feel so helpless and I am at complete loss of what to do. My kitty, of which I have had almost 13 years, developed this strange swelling on the bridge of her nose over the memorial weekend. Being very concerned, I took her to the veterinarian's office first thing Tuesday morning when they were open. The vet seemed to be unsure what could have caused the bump (whether an abscess, a sinus infection, eosiniphic granuloma, mast cell tumor, etc.), so we decided to do some preliminary blood work to determine whether any of her lab values were abnormal. We additionally took her temp, which was a 102.9 (this is a low grade temp for a feline). It was decided that we would give her a short acting steroid to decrease some of the inflammation as well as start her on antibiotics in case there was an infection. The vet said she would call me the next day with the blood test results. The doctor called me the next morning stating that her white blood cell count was elevated, her thyroid level was a little high, and everything else was within normal levels. The vet suggested that I keep her on the antibiotics for a week, to see if the swelling subsides. After 5 days worth of antibiotics, the lump had gotten larger, and was now pushing her right eyelid downward. This was Sunday. Surprisingly, my kitty was in good spirit - running around, playing with the other cat, eating and drinking normally. This morning I got up really early and took my kitty back to the vet. While in the waiting room she started to sneeze (she has allergies and has been sneezing a lot since the spring season hit), only this time their was blood in her sputum. I tried so hard to hold my composure - I knew that if I started to cry I wouldn't be able to stop, I also knew I would upset her and become useless when the vet did call me back to be seen. I didn't let myself cry. My kitty is so sensitive to my feelings, she knows when I am upset and I didn't want her to know that I was worried. It was at this moment we were called back to see the vet. The doctor then came in and looked at her face, and went over her symptomology with me. We decided that I would bring her in tomorrow to have her head shaved and to have a biopsy performed. Then we will no definitively whether this is a bacterial or fungal infection or if it is cancer. If it is cancer, my vet indicated I would have to take her to Auburn to have surgery performed - an expense I am almost positive I would not be able to afford - I mean just this past week I have spent $700 - and I don't even know what she has yet. A surgical procedure in another state, I am sure would cost thousands. What am I to do? I do NOT believe in putting your animal to sleep - we don't do it to people and I wouldn't treat her any differently. I have always been the type of person who treats her animals as if they are family. Unlike many of my friends, when I accept an animal into my home - it is for the duration of their life. I feel as if my own child is sick and that I am waiting to hear whether or not she has cancer. I can't sleep or do my school work because I am so upset. Why can't I be like the parents in Lorenzo's Oil? Why can't I cure her. I just don't want to loose her, she means the world to me. I am at a complete loss of what to do. Right now, I am staying home with her all day - trying to make her as comfortable as possible before her procedure tomorrow. Please have her in your prayers. Has anyone else experienced a situation like this? The growth developed in two days!!! Thank you.




This is a picture of her bump. It is at the top of her nose.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f39/kittykatharine/IMG_1552-1.jpg

[Pawsitive Thinking]

You are doing all you can for your kitty - be strong for her

[lizbud]

Prayers that the Vet gives better news after the biopsy. It could be
other things besides cancer & I hope she heals up quickly.

[Karen]

You and your kitty will be in our prayers.

[kittykatharine]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their support. It is just a very hard time for my family and I. We love our Sydney so much. I will post an update when I figure out what the results of the biopsy say. For now, I will continue to pray and spend all my time with her. Thanks again!

[Medusa]

I've not had experience w/this type of thing, so I can't be of much help there. Lots of other diseases w/my cats, yes, but not this. ;) Do your best to take one day at a time, one moment at a time, if necessary. It can be difficult waiting for news about our furkids but know that we'll be praying for you and Sydney. (((HUGS))) to you both. A special candle will be lit for her and you. In the meantime, just give her all your love and know that whatever God leads you to, God can lead you through. Please keep us updated. :)

[kb2yjx]

Prayers are heading your way for you and your kitty.

[Ginger's Mom]

I am so sorry. More prayers coming that it will be something other than cancer that can be cured easily and quickly.

[Catty1]

Emeraldgreen has just gone through something like this...I am sure she will post here.

For funding, look up www.imom.org

Sometimes they have funds available, sometimes not, but it sure doesn't hurt to ask!

Also - the surgeon may work out a payment plan for you.

Hoping for good news - glad she is so frisky and eating well!

PT Prayers are with you - keep us posted, there is a lot of support and information here.:):love:

[shepgirl]

We went through this with our dog several yrs ago. The lump formed overnight,- on the bridge of her nose- we thought she had gotten stung by a bee or something. After a week we took her to the vet's and after some checking it was cancer. We operated then and there and when she came out of it all she ever sported was a scar on her nose with no hair growing. She lived another 8 yrs. so try not to worry.

[jennielynn1970]

Oh my gosh... poor kitty. I hope that the biopsy will find that it's nothing too invasive and will be easy to treat.

Thoughts and prayers going out to you and your family.

[momtomany]

Prayers for you and Sydney during this very difficult time.

[kittykatharine]

Emeraldgreen has just gone through something like this...I am sure she will post here.

For funding, look up www.imom.org

Sometimes they have funds available, sometimes not, but it sure doesn't hurt to ask!

Also - the surgeon may work out a payment plan for you.

Hoping for good news - glad she is so frisky and eating well!

PT Prayers are with you - keep us posted, there is a lot of support and information here.:):love:



Catty1 thank you so much for that link to IMOM. That has provided me with some definite hope if the surgery is required and expensive - i looked at what disqualifies you and I didn't have any of those. Also thank you so much for your prayers. This is a new experience for me and I am a non- married poor college student, so links like that are extremely helpful. Thanks Shepgirl, knowing that their is a possible happy ending, even if it is cancer provides me some home. Thank you everyone, you truly are making the difference.

[Craftlady]

I am so sorry to read this about your Sydney.
Having just gone through this type of experience with our RB Thumper it's NOT an easy journey. Any good vet surgeon will tell you, surgery can actually make growths come back even bigger once they are taken out.
We opted NOT to have surgery. Her story is under "cat health" Thumper.
Be prepared for the emotional ride of your life. I will keep good thoughts and prayers for your Sydney.

[Emeraldgreen]

I'm so sorry to hear about Sydney. You must be very worried. I haven't heard of a lump forming so quickly but Shepgirl's description sounds very similar to Sydney's.
My cat Tiger has been battling Squamous Cell Carcinoma for just over a year now. I definitely understand your frustration in not knowing what is going on with Sydney, despite the 700.00 you've already spent. The biopsy will make everything much clearer though and hopefully you'll have the results soon. Tiger didn't have a biopsy done until 8 weeks after he started having respiratory issues and 5 different vets. They thought he had everything under the sun until I went to a vet who had a rhinoscopy (camera small enough to go into the nose) and he performed the biopsy. I'm just so glad that you noticed the lump right away and got her to the vet.
If you do find out it's cancer, you may be interested in a product that I've had my cat Tiger on for a few months. I wish I had learned of it sooner even though I don't know if it's helping but it seems to have helped quite a few other animals battling cancer. It's called Transfer Factor. (If you click on this link (http://www.4life.com/transferfactor.aspx) it will take you to the website) It's a mega immune booster supplement. I learned about it from Catty1 who posted a link for me to check out. I ended up reading some testimonials from some people who had used it on their pets with cancer. One woman had a cat with S.C. Carcinoma and I think she couldn't afford the surgery. Her cat was in terrible shape and she took him to the vet to be euthanized but at the last minute she felt it wasn't the right decision. She went home and found out about Transfer Factor. She gave her cat 4-5 capsules (of the human capsules, not the pet capsules) a day for 2 months and then tapered it off to 3 caps a week. I emailed her to ask her how long her cat had lived after that and she told me that her cat was doing fine and was still with her two years later. I can't tell you if it works or not from personal experience because he's only been on it for a few months and he's had a few setbacks with congestion and infection and I had to stop giving it to him but I've started him on it again today.
Before I put Tiger on Transfer Factor, he had had 3 surgeries to remove parts of the nasal tumour. Each time, it really helped him to breathe but it did grow back faster each time and I think Craftlady might be right about it growing back larger etc.. It certainly seems to be the case with Tiger. But, if it could provide Sydney with immediate relief, it might be the way to go.
And, it may not be cancer at all which is definitely what I'm praying for!!! I hope that it is some kind of infection that didn't respond to the first round of antibiotics but will respond to a different kind of antibiotic. That would be such a blessing.
Please keep us posted on your beautiful tabby girl. :)

[krazyaboutkatz]

Welcome to PT.:) I'm so sorry that your first few posts are about your sick cat.:( I hope that it's nothing too serious and that it's easily treatable. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent your way. Please take care.

[kittykatharine]

So, I dropped her off to the vet this morning for her biopsy. The vet was able to remove a good portion of the visible mass - which has decreased her massive hump and decreased some of the pressure on her right eye. The bad portion is that the vet said she thinks it is cancer. I will not know officially for 3-5 business days when the results of the biopsy state what it is and if it is cancer, what type it is. I just gave sydney a bowl of her favorite food and she seems to be in good spirits. These next few days, I am just going to focus on giving her the best love I can, and then take it from there. Thanks again for everyone being so supportive and everyone giving me some really helpful information. It is greatly appreciated.

[Medusa]

So then it's good news, bad news. Good news is that the partial removal helped to relieve some pressure and that Sydney is in good spirits. If it is cancer, it doesn't necessarily mean a death sentence, not these days. We'll keep the prayers going and lots of (((HUGS))) headed your way.....

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Good luck little kitty - PT prayers work wonders :love:

[pitc9]

Prayers for you and Sydney.

[Taz_Zoee]

When I first read this thread, the first thing I thought was Craftlady and Thumper. I'm glad she saw it and I hope you read through her threads on Thumpers journey.
I also hope that the vet is mistaken and it is NOT cancer as she suspects.
I will be thinking of you and Sydney this week.

[Frostfrog]

As are many others. Courage and hope.

[Freedom]

Prayers from RI for you and sweet Sydney.

Please let us know when you get the results.

[Catty1]

kittykatherine:

Here is info I posted to Emeraldgreen a while back - she did email both ladies on the site, and one emailed her back. You might want to PM her for more info.

ALSO - ask your vet about a drug called Regressin (one link here: http://www.drugs.com/vet/regressin-v-can.html)


Two testimonials - and they have email addresses, so what the heck.
Cat cured of squamous cell tumor

Feline Tumor Gone!

"My cat Bodger, who is now16, has been taking the Transfer Factors Advanced Plus. Now, nearly 18 months later I've taken him back to the vet practice for a check up. He still has some discharge from the right side, but no blood and is generally in good health. I saw a different vet this time and he told me there was no way my cat had a nasal tumor of the type diagnosed back in August 2004, because if he had, he'd be dead due to the agressive nature of these type of tumor! He reckons he has sinusitus, due to the previous nasal damage as a kitten, which I always knew he had, but definitely NO TUMOR! So, what can I say but a fantastic result. You are very welcome to include this on your website if it will help others to help their pets. Incidentaly, the vet took all the information on Transfer Factors and was really interested having seen Bodger today." Judith Sexton torteval2 @ hotmail.com

Feline squamous cell tumor in remission
From Bethany in Texas email: fingerpaint<at>gmail.com

A year and a half ago, my cat was diagnosed with a squamous cell tumor. The doctor told me that given the location of this tumor and the aggressive nature of it, there really was nothing I could do. He told me to bring her back for weekly steroid shots and keep her comfortable until she died, which he said would most likely be within a month. She did nothing but lay around. She wouldn't eat, wouldn't play, wouldn't respond to affection. I did as he said, for one week. And then I decided I wasn't going to accept "there's nothing you can do" as an answer. I got on the internet. I googled furiously. What I found, was your site, and Transfer Factor.

I started her out on two (Transfer Factor Advanced Plus) pills a day, and within a week, she was back to her normal energy level. Within a month, she'd stopped clawing at her face. After three months, I went down to one pill a day, and that's where we are now, a year and a half later. She won't be fooled by putting the contents in her food, so I've used her fastidious nature against her: I mix the TF with a pinch of butter and put the mixture on her paws. She hates it, and licks it off immediately. She's learned to live with this daily ritual for the most part, but she still gets this "Oh mom, not AGAIN" look on her face. She's responded so wonderfully. It's like she's a kitten again, playing with her yarn and rubbing against my face. I look at her every day and am simply amazed, that the veterinian was going to be content with steroids until the poor thing finally died.

I recommended the Transfer Factor to my neighbor, whose 11 year old dog was diagnosed with bone cancer and given less than three months to live. That was a year ago - the dog is doing fine!

http://wellnesscafe.my4life.com/prod...?id1=1&id2=895

[Randi]

I'm sending positive thoughts that your dear Sydney will pull through this.

(((hugs)))

[dc_lost]

My heart and prayers are with you.

I take on my "kids" for life as well, and don't know of any other way since my folks brought me up like that.

Though I've been fostering since December and had almost all find their special homes, I got to love them so much while under my care I found such joy and happiness, and some sadness.

I know God has a plan for you and Sydney - What lessons he has in store know you I don't know, but I am praying for you and hope the biopopsy turns up something not cancerous.

(((Hugs))) for your strength

Debbie