posted 07-29-2002 11:41 PM           

In October, Ari developed vomiting and diarrhea for some reason and after a day of this he was very weak and would not eat. The vet took a blood sample from the left side of Ari's neck for a chemical panel, and said that the main problem was that he was dehydrated. He weighed 4 lbs at that visit. Vet gave Ari an injection to help him rehydrate. I brought Ari home and changed his diet -- began feeding him pureed cooked chicken, mixed with baby food vegetables and/or cooked mashed rice, all watered down a lot to a very soupy consistency. He liked it and I'm still feeding him that twice a day, plus he is back to eating his regular cat food also. He has rehydrated and weight went up to just over 5 lbs in a month. Also, since this diet change his "poo" has firmed up properly for the first time in well over a year.

The lump in his neck is the size of a hen's egg by now. The vet still says "thyroid cancer". Ari's white cell count is not up, though. And he has a lot of energy also and jumps up on the countertops regularly and with no trouble. A couple of nights ago, he saw that I had moved his cat grass to another window and climbed right up there to get at it.

This lump in his neck is now pressing his windpipe to the left a bit. Starting about a week ago, he had sneezing and sniffles and his breathing a bit labored, so I got some antibiotic from the vet but the vet did not see Ari. The sniffles are clearing up, his breathing is still a bit labored but that doesn't seem to be bothering him.

I want the vet to evaluate Ari and consider again the idea of operating to remove that lump in his neck. It is a very firm lump, well defined, I can't tell if it has grown actually into the tissue of his throat. The vet has not biopsied this, he seemed to think he would need to sedate Ari to do a biopsy and said that this would not be good for Ari -- this was his opinion, anyhow, back when he first examined the lump in August. I don't see why a needle biopsy can't be done without sedation, since the vet took blood from the other side of Ari's neck without sedation, and the lump is just under the skin, not hard to get to.

I am thinking the lump might not be cancer, given that Ari has gained weight back, seems to have his normal energy, certainly has a good appetite, etc. Still, cancer or not, if it continues to grow it will choke him. It may already be starting to do that, as I can't tell for sure if his slightly labored breathing this week is from pressure of the lump on his throat or is due to congestion in his nasal passages. If he seemed to be having actual trouble breathing, I'd take him in to the vet of course, but he breathes okay and just makes "noise" when he does it.

I'd like to hear opinions -- am I hoping for too much? Does it sound like cancer when he has gained weight and has good energy levels? Should I risk the operation if the vet is willing to do it? Or should I plan instead to have Ari put to sleep soon? Right now he seems as content as ever, he enjoys stretching and being petted, eating, prowling around the house and all his usual things.

Sorry for length but I need to make decisions soon. Thanks for any thoughts.

posted 04-12-2003 06:33 AM            

Ari has had this lump since August you say, and it is growing. It may not be cancerous, you are right. I'm inclined to agree that if it was and he's had it for 7 months he would be a lot sicker than he is. But like you I don't know for sure.

As he is putting on weight, and contented, there is absolutely no need to even think of putting him to sleep. You only do that if an animal is suffering, and Ari is not by the sound of it.

But you do need more advice about the lump if it definitely beginning to affect his breathing (and are you sure it's the lump, or not some respiratory infection?).

If it were me with my kitty, I would get another vet's opinion. There are many honest vets out there who are not out to just make a quick buck. Take a list of all the questions you have, and ask him/her.
As far as surgery goes it can be a risk with an animal of any age, though admittedly more so when older.

If the vet says surgery is the only way to go, I would ask first what the chances of recovery are,and be clear in your mind about that and then weigh it all up. It's a very hard decision for you, I understand that, and it's painful to go through this.

Please let us know how it goes?