Mr Meow is home, pictures added on post #80

[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}}}}}}