Thumper Update Post #22

[Craftlady]

I remember you saying that chemo and radiation wouldn't do anything very beneficial, and surgery was out of the question. I can't imagine leaving any of my babies at a hospital for weeks on end either... the stress wouldn't be good for her either.

Just to clarify for everyone.....

(1) Chemo: The type of tumor she has chemo wouldnt work for it.

(2) Radiation: The only option but that was leaving her at vet clinic hours away from home for weeks (no quarantees and big bucks) on end.

(3) Surgery: The tumor was to big and there isnt enough skin to cover that area once it would be removed.

[Catty1]

Okay....grasping at straws again....skin grafts or artificial coverings like they use in humans?

Sorry, Becky - I know you and your husband know what is best, as you are right there.

I guess I and some of us here are still going thru the part of the process where you try and think of EVERYTHING.

I'll stop thinking one of these days!

Hug the little gal for me! If anyone deserves a miracle, it's you guys!

[Catty1]

Becky - as you can see, I haven't stopped thinking yet!

Most info I found had to do with grafts on legs....but the mesh one here...hey, I can hope, can't I?

If this has a chance...you can bet you would get donations for Thumper, and iMOM would help you also.

I am sorry if this intrudes...I just don't want to watch the dear girl and have not tried to do anything...I know you know that feeling. And you have left no stone unturned.

I just like exploring rock gardens...
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Granulation: That part of the healing process in which rough, pink tissue containing new connective tissue and capillaries forms around the edges of a wound. Granulation of a wound is normal and desirable.


Five cats with large, distal extremity abrasion wounds were treated with an autogenous, full-thickness, mesh skin graft. Survival of the mesh grafts in all five cats was considered between 90 and 100%. Successful grafting requires asepsis, an adequately prepared recipient bed consisting of healthy granulation tissue, proper harvesting and preparation of the graft, meticulous surgical technique and strict postoperative care. Factors that are essential for the survival of skin grafts include good contact between the graft and the recipient bed, normal tension on the sutured graft, strict immobilization after grafting and prevention of accumulation of blood or serum under the graft. Meshing the graft provides more graft flexibility over uneven surfaces and allows adequate drainage. In contrast to previous proposals, the authors recommend no bandage change before the fourth day after grafting. Full-thickness mesh skin grafting can be used to successfully treat large distal skin wounds in cats.

Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia.

Mesh grafts are split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts in which parallel rows of staggered slits have been cut. The mesh incisions allow the graft to be expanded to cover large defects, provide a route for drainage of blood or serum from under the graft, and increase the flexibility of the graft so that it can conform to uneven recipient beds. Meshing can be accomplished using a no. 11 scalpel blade or a special meshing machine. The use of unexpanded full-thickness mesh grafts is recommended because their cosmetic appearance equals that of sheet grafts, but the mesh incisions still allow drainage of blood and/or serum from under the graft. This technique has been very successful, with 90 to 100 per cent "take" when the grafts have been applied on healthy granulation beds.

[Craftlady]

I appreciate your thought thinking process BUT.....
However, sadly the facts of her condition are way beyond any surgerys. I will explain below.

(1) The tumor is a 17 inch circle (from ear to ear). I just measured today. It's probably doubled in size since October (educated quess).

(2) The surgery specialist in Cincinnati said the tumor was inoperable. IF we had insisted on surgery, Thumper would of died on the operationing table. 2 main reasons a) you cant take away size of her tumor and have an animal live b) anesthesia would of killed her.
Guess that's as plain as any surgeon could tell am owner of an pet.

(3) A non mute fact, our income is way above the Imom standards for help. I would never ask for donations.


I appreciate your enthusiasm in researching stuff for Thumpers condition.
I ask that it please stop.

Please keep her in your prayers.

[Catty1]

Okay, Becky - I will stop. I apologize.

PT Prayers will have to suffice!