Gatsby has a new problem: update #15.

[Prairie Purrs]

Gatsby has a small growth on his face that the vet is removing today and sending out for testing. The vet thinks it's most likely cancerous. He's going to remove a margin around the growth, so he's assuming that's the case. The growth is so small that removal makes more sense than a biopsy. It'll be at least a week before the test results come back.

I'm just numb at this point. Gats has been doing so well since his surgery. It's completely unfair for him to have another health crisis.

Please keep my sweet tuxie boy in your thoughts.

[Medusa]

Honestly, what is going on up there in the planets anyhow? Our furkids seem to be getting the brunt of it. Of course, Gatsby is in my prayers now and always. Keep the faythe. :love:

[lvpets2002]

:( Oh no Poor Baby Gatsby.. Sending Lots of Kitty Prayers for you.. Hope all comes out ok.. Huggss for meowmom..

[Anikaca77]

Prays coming for Gatsby and for you as well.

Melissa

[Catty1]

I hope that surgery got all the nasty bits. Prayers for Gatsby!:love::love::love:

ETA: Might it be worth putting him on Transfer Factor caps (in a Pill Pocket) for a while just to give his system some ammunition?

[Prairie Purrs]

Thanks to all for the well-wishes. Gatsby is home and wearing a cone for now because the first thing he did when he came out of the carrier was to start rubbing at the stitches.

Here's my unhappy boy. The growth was on the bridge of his nose, right side. He only has a couple of stitches.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v676/Pencats/20100105_152.jpg

My poor guy has had such an awful time since midsummer. I'll be spending the next week stressing about the test results.

[katladyd]

I am praying for dear Gatsby. He has had enough tough times to last him a lifetime! I hope it is nothing serious.:love:

[Freedom]

It sounds like you caught this quickly. That is often helpful. Looks like a small area, his fur should grow back in and just about cover it all up, from the looks of it.

I've recently been through the wait with my Lacey. Hang in there. Snuggling an playing with your boy will help distract you! Prayers that he heals up fine, and the report is a good one.

[Medusa]

Aw, Gatsby, my Yodie says that she knows just how you feel wearing that stupid cone thingy! Poor boy. Keep the faythe, Penny. :love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I hope that if it was cancerous that the vet was able to get it all. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Gatsby's way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[jennielynn1970]

Awe... sweet boy, having to wear a cone.

Hugs, scritchies and well wishes going out to you, Gatsby, and HUGS to mom.

[Killearn Kitties]

Poor boy! :love: Please give Gatsby some hugs from me. I am hoping for a good diagnosis.

[Medusa]

And how is the Great Gatsby doing today? And how are you, Penny?

[Prairie Purrs]

Gatsby says thanks to all for the hugs and positive thoughts!


And how is the Great Gatsby doing today? And how are you, Penny?

He's out of the cone and happy about that. There are only a couple of stitches, and they don't seem to be bothering him. He's got a good appetite and is his usual sweet and affectionate self.

I'm holding up. I'm trying not to dwell on what the test results may say.

[Prairie Purrs]

The test results show that Gatsby's growth was a mast cell tumor, and it looks like the vet got all of it because the margins were clear. I'll watch him like a hawk to see whether any more of the little nasties show up, but the news could have been a whole lot worse.

[Medusa]

Thank goodness. We'll keep the prayers going that all this is over and done! :love:

[Catty1]

Glad the surgeon got it all - and prayers that dear Gatsby stays clear!

[katladyd]

I will always make the time to pray for your dear Gatsby. I'm so glad the news is good! You both have been through so much!:love:

[Catlady711]

Hopefully this is the last time you or Gatsby has to deal with this. Glad to hear the biopsy had clean margins. I hope for a quick recovery and no further problems for your kitty.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope he'll stay cancer free. I'll continue to keep him in my prayers.

[Pinot's Mom]

From what I've read on it the probability is that this is a solitary occurrence and Gatsby will be just fine. Mast Cell Tumors on cats confined to the skin are almost always considered to be benign.

Prayers Gatsby heals up quickly and this is all behind you both! :love:

[Anikaca77]

I'm so glad the vet got it all. Prays for Gatsby.

Melissa

[Prairie Purrs]

From what I've read on it the probability is that this is a solitary occurrence and Gatsby will be just fine. Mast Cell Tumors on cats confined to the skin are almost always considered to be benign.

That's what my reading suggests as well. The vet didn't specifically say that it was benign--just that the report showed he got it all. I'll ask for a copy of the report when I take Gats in to have his stitches removed.

Thanks to all for your prayers for Gatsby boy. He's been quite the trooper through his recent health issues. He still needs to have some dental work done, poor guy, but the vet said that his teeth actually don't look as bad now as they did before his urinary tract problems began. So we're going to wait a little while before subjecting him to more anesthesia.

[katladyd]

I hope Gatsby stays trouble free in all areas from now on. Poor little guy! Having been through the urinary tract problems, I know how stressful that can be. To have to deal with any form of cancer as well must have been terrible! Stay healthy Gatsby!:love: