fibrosarcoma in cats...2nd update!

[Beauty17]

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.

[fragrancehound]

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.

[kb2yjx]

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...

[fragrancehound]

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!

[TopCat3]

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.

[LittleOrangeKitten]

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...?

[fragrancehound]

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.