Mr Meow is home, pictures added on post #80

[jenluckenbach]

Mr Meow was at the vet for his regular depo shot (to keep his cancer under control). I finally had a chance to ask "what else should we be doing." (my regular vet is on vacation) so this gave me a chance for a second opinion....

So the vet started by saying, if it is cancer, than you just give the depo shots. but he also said how amazed he is that Mr. Meow is holding his own for so long (5 months now). Not losing weight and not getting sick. Then he palpated the abdomen......felt a golf ball size lump. (keep in mind that 5 months ago this swelling was barely able to be felt and was found on an ultrasound) So it is growing.


But he is doing REALLY well otherwise.

This vet suggested an exploratory surgery. Go in and SEE what might be able to be done. The down side, might open him up to find out there is nothing to be done. The good side, maybe it is removable. Might not cure him 100%, but then at least this growing lump would be gone. And maybe could be biopsied for further possible treatments.

So, my question is.......What are the pros and cons of having this done? (in YOUR opinions)

I would be totally CRUSHED if they opened him up and said that he was so full of cancer that we should PTS without even awaking him! (I watch too much Animal Emergency ER) I mean, he is doing so well!

But if there is even a CHANCE that a tumor could be removed giving him more time.......of course I would want to do it.

I have no doubt that One by One would OK the surgery. But is it the right thing to do? need to see both sides of the issue.

What do you think?



EDIT 12-11-07........Mr. Meow will be going in for surgery Friday (12-17) Wish him luck.

[Catty1]

Jen, could they do a needle aspiration and then decide on surgery? (After sedating him majorly!)

That would buy either a bit or a lot more time, depending.

PT Prayers for that loving, beloved special boy...

[jenluckenbach]

Jen, could they do a needle aspiration and then decide on surgery? ..

I don't know The first thing after the ultrasound was the suggestion for an endoscopy/biopsy. But we decided against it. I personally wondered about going in and taking a L@@K.

I wonder if it is because the lump is so deep in the abdominal cavity?

[Catty1]

This is a toughie...it would be great to know once and for all....

It's hopeful because he has done so well, and whatever is growing has gotten so much bigger and is not bothering Mr Meow.

If they would have to biopsy by going in - and if they could remove the whole lump - I personally would like the surgery to be as gentle as possible so that Mr Meow can have lots more time with you, even if it IS malignant. I wouldn't want you to have to decide to PTS while he is still under...that would be so brutal, especially since he is doing so well right now...

What is the least invasive way they could find out for sure? I mean - I don't expect you to know that, but maybe the vets could answer that question...

[rosethecopycat]

I would be totally CRUSHED if they opened him up and said that he was so full of cancer that we should PTS without even awaking him! (I watch too much Animal Emergency ER) I mean, he is doing so well!

That's exactly what happened to a 7 y o Meezer named Bongo (on SICC site).


Way TOO HARD for me to give an opinion, I can only relay outcomes and experiences that I know of.

Let your heart tell you what to do.
Prayers and Meezer songs for Mr. Meow

[Craftlady]

We were told by a surgical specialist, most tumors that are taken out come back even bigger.
I know from what was explained to us, chemo and radiation is brutal on animals and very expensive.

Fact the tumor is growing so fast in last 5 months, unfortunately is not a good sign. It doesnt take expensive testing to figure that one out.
Yes, Mr. Meow is doing so well now but the tumor will start to effect him.

Enjoy the time you have with him. Give him lots of attention and kisses, I personally would not put him through surgery since it's growing so rapidly.

Your heart will tell you what is right to do, Mr. Meow will let you know too.

Will keep him/you in prayers.

[columbine]

This could be out of date or just plain wrong - for all I know it's one of those "folk wisdoms" that are just misheard or made up - but there are supposedly cancers that go nuts when exposed or cut. I dunno - this almost seems like a question for that Nancy person, because she could get Mr. Meow's opinion and maybe even more information. (Her name is Nancy, right? The cat psychic?)

My only personal reservation is that depo weakens the immune system, and so Mr. Meow would be unusually susceptible to infectious complications, but I'm sure your vet knows how to deal with that.

Whatever happens, you've taken a sad little cat and made him happy, shown him the kind of love that every creature deserves, and been a friend to somebody who really needed one. Sometimes that can be, if not enough, a real comfort, if you take it as seriously as Mr. Meow has in his gentle kitty soul.

Love, Columbine

[Grace]

Such an impossible decision. Columbine is correct. Certain tumors will simply take off once operated on.

See if the Vet can give you an idea if this one is inside an organ, such as the stomach, or just hanging out in the abdominal cavity. Those inside are harder to deal with.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, I'm glad to hear that Mr. Meow is doing well but I'm so sorry to hear that his tumor is growing. If I was you I don't think that I'd put him through any type of surgery. Since he's on depo shots this makes his immune system weak like others have already said and then he might not be able to recover very well afterwards. I hope that he'll continue to do well for a long time. Please give him some loving for me and enjoy the time that you have with him.

If I had it to over again, I don't think that I'd put Starr through the surgical biopsy like I did. It did confirm that he didn't have cancer but it didn't really tell me anything else that I didn't already know. Even Starr's holistic vet said that it really didn't help to diagnose his illness. Starr's tummy fur hasn't even grown in completely and it's most likely because of the pred.

Whatever you decide, I'll support you. You and Mr. Meow will continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[jenluckenbach]

Thank you for your honesty, from the bottom of my heart.

You all have given me info that I did NOT know (and that is why more heads are better than 1).

I think I just so much want to make Mr. Meow well again, that I only hear the good parts of an issue. I did not consider his depo shots working AGAINST him in his recovery. (and his tummy hair has not grown in either)

The thoughts (from the ultrasound) is that it is a lymph node. The vet who palpated him yesterday said it feels free (not attached to a major organ) he can move it around.

SIGH

[Medusa]

I think I would wait until your vet came back into town and see what s/he says. I'm sure this vet is certainly qualified, I don't mean to imply otherwise, but when my Puddy was near death, she had a mass that a vet said was cancer. I said "Are you sure????" and he said "Yes. It can't be anything but cancer." He wanted to operate and I insisted that he call my vet, even though my vet was spending time w/his sons who were home from college. I posted about this when it happened so I won't go into it again but Dr. Lee changed his plans, came in and performed the surgery. Here's the point, though: what the other vet thought was cancer wasn't cancer at all. It was Puddy's kidney; the kidney had literally burst. No cancer. Yes, surgery was absolutely necessary but that vet told me that he may get in there and see that Puddy has cancer everywhere and would have to be PTS on the operating table. It took my vet's expertise to correctly evaluate the situation and do the correct procedure. I don't hold it against that vet; he said what he thought was the case but I trust my vet completely and I somehow knew that he was the one who would give it to me straight. You have some time til your vet comes back, correct? If you have total trust in him/her, I'd let your vet make the decision. Good luck. I know how tough this is and we're saying prayers here that you have lots of quality time left w/Mr. Meow.

[Freedom]

Jen, I would also consider Mr. Meow's age. (Sorry, I don't remember what that is.) When RB Ruffles got so ill in June, I had the option of surgery to figure out what was going on. (We suspect cancer, but nothing was ever felt and nothing showed up in her ultrasound.) At 16, I decided I would not put her through it, just keep her comfortable. Would I have opted for surgery for a 2 year old? You bet. What is my cut off? I pray I never have to figure that one out!

[catmandu]

Thats So Hard To Decide, I Wonder What I Will Do If One Of My Cats Had That Decision. I Hope That I Would Do The Right Thing By Them, The Way I Have Tried With My Cat Angels.
I Would Wait Until Mr Meows Regular Vet Came Back.
We Are All Sending Prayers For Mrmewo And The Orange Porch Angels Will Visit And Comfort Mr Meow As Much As They Can.
Its So Sad When Our Companions Are Ill, I Have Never Know A Feeling Of Frustration And Sadness That I Did When I Couldnt Help Almond Rocca Baton And Prciosu This Year.
I Still Wonder If I Could Have Done More.

[moosmom]

Jen,

I had to make a decision regarding RB Marina Mar. After so much poking, prodding, etc., the vet suggested chemo and radiation. He said there was no guarantee that she'd get any better. I decided against it. The poor baby had so much done to her that I couldn't put her through more, with no guarantee that it would help.

I think Craftlady is right.

[rg_girlca]

Jen, I wish I could tell you what to do, but I myself wouldn't even know what I would do if I was faced with a situation like this.

But what ever decision you do make, I will stand by you all the way.

I wish nothing but the best for Mr. Meow and for you.

{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}