Conference misery::feline

    I am very sorry to hear about what you are going through with Mr.
    Spock.  I have been through cancer myself and asked similar questions. 
    I would ask myself these questions: how much money can I put into this
    and exactly what tests are optional.  We did an ultrasound with a
    specialist brought into the hospital.  They did a needle biopsy which
    we decided not to send to pathology.  The tumor was surrounding the
    heart and windpipe in this instance. We were able to see the extent of
    the tumor/s by doing this and then could make an assessment.  We
    medicated the cat to ease his breathing and two weeks later we took him
    for his last visit.  For us the cost of the ultrasound and second
    opinion made our decision for us.  The options were either chemo
    therapy or open heart surgery, neither of which would be painless or
    cheap and no gaurantees.  I would definately get a second opinion and
    can refer you to an excellant vet if you would like.  You must act
    quickly though if you want to help him.  Do not feel guilty if things
    can't go like you would like them to.  We are only human!  Please let
    me know how things go and know I am thinking of you.  Look on th
    ebright side, it might be very simple!!!
    Karen

    I second the advice to act quickly and to get a second opinion.  If you
    trust your usual vet, I would take Mr. Spock there;  otherwise,
    perhaps someone in this file can recommend a vet near you.
    
    Actually, both my mother and Aunt had large benign abdominal tumors
    that had to be removed, so while I don't want to give you false hope, I
    would keep in mind that Mr. Spock might be able to be helped.
    
    I would think that a good vet should be able to tell you if the
    ultrasound will give a definitive answer about malignancy,
    treatability, or if, regardless of the result, surgery would be needed
    to remove the mass, etc.  It sounds to me like the vet didn't give you
    enough info.  I always ask my vet, who really loves animals, "If he
    were your cat, what would you do?"
    
    Please let us know how Mr. Spock is doing.
    
    p.s.  Maybe Tufts is near you?  They have a vet center.
    

    Please try anything you can afford. I cross my paws.
    
    Nat

    I don't feel at this point in time...you have enough information
    to make the best decision.   If you can afford it...try and have the
    ultrasound or biobsy because that will atleast show you a clearer
    picture.  Once this is done your vet and yourself should sit down
    and weigh the options...what can be done, what are the chances of
    living a normal life (with operation/without operation), what are 
    the side effects of treatment, what chance does he have.
    
    I am a GREAT believer in Tufts University...they saved one of my
    kitties lives.  The good thing was all the vets were really great
    at sharing the info so I could make the decision as to what to do.
    It was very expensive...but it is an unbelievable hospital.
    
    Please keep us posted...and all my thoughts and prayers go your way!
    
    Sandy 

    re: .1 - .4
    
    Thank you all - for your thoughts and your feelings.
    
    I just got in... I brought him to his regular vet (who has treated him
    since 1980). He suggested an exploratory for the definitive diagnosis. 
    
    He also said the prognosis is not good, but we'll never know for sure 
    with X-rays or ultrasound. He also said there may be a small chance 
    (about 30%) that it could be removed by re-sectioning the intestine; 
    or too, that it could be a non-malignant mass.
    
    I have opted to have the exploratory done. If it is malignant and/or
    non-treatable, this vet's policy (as was the other one) is to euthanize
    while still under anesthesia. Which is probably for the best.
    
    I will know later this morning.

         Wishing you best of luck.
    
         We took Bigfoot to Tufts over 2 years ago when it was thought
    that he had pancreatitis.  Turned out to be a mass on his pancreas,
    with about an 80/20 chance that it was cancerous.
    
         Surgery removed the mass, part of his pancreas and his spleen. 
    There were little black spots all over his abdominal cavity.  Sounded
    very bad, but they sent the mass to be analyzed.  
    
         It was *benign*!  The surgeon was *very* surprised by this, she
    was sure it was cancer.  And the little black spots?  Who knows what
    they were/are.
    
         It's been over 2 years now and Bigfoot is doing great.  He gets an
    x-ray every year with his physical to make sure that nothing is growing
    (so far, so good!) and he's living a *wonderful* life.
    
         There is hope ...
    
    					- Andrea 

    Gosh, we are all waiting!  I really hope it comes out ok.  I hope your
    vet is familiar with these types of things and can make an accurate
    diagnosis/prognosis.
    Good luck,
    Karen and her 13

    
      I lost a furry baby to cancer a little over a year ago, I truly hope
    Mr.Spock comes through doing fine.
    
    Lots of prayers to Mr. Spock & you.
    
    
    Diana, Domino & Tykey

    
    The vet just called: It WASN'T A TUMOR AT ALL!!! And It WASN'T
    CONNECTED TO HIS INTESTINES EITHER!
    
    He has an enlarged liver, apparently some type of infection. At this point 
    he's not sure what exactly, but is having blood-work analysis performed. 
    
    Claims he saw no signs of tumor at all! 
    
    Will know what the real problem is by tomorow when the lab results come
    back about the blood.
    
    This may be premature, but it looks like it isn't Mr Spock's time to
    *beam up* yet! 
    
    Will post an update tomorrow.
    
    Thank you all again for your advice, but most of all your *support*! :^>

    Yeah! Yeah!!!!! A big hug to Mr. Spock.
    

	That's great news about Mr. Spock! :^}

    There is a God after all!
    
    

    Mr. Spock must be relieved!  thank goodness!
    Karen

         Fantastic!
    
    					- Andrea

    I'm so happy.  My fingers are crossed for Mr. Spock to live long and
    prosper.
    
    Steffi

    
    
     YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!  And I 2nd that of noter 379.12 - there is a god!

    That certainly perked me up today!!!!  I'm so happy for you.
    
    Pat Beaudet

    Glad Mr. Spock is better.  I once had a cat that had an intestinal
    blockage.  In order to diagnose it without spending a fortune (the cat
    was quite old, so we didn't want to have to do surgery unless it was
    absolutely necessary because of the anesthesia risk), we did barium
    x-rays.  I fed him the barium with a syringe and a lot of patience.
    
    His problem turned out to be a blockage which we were able to clear
    with laxatone, believe it or not.  He was not a good candidate for
    surgery, at age 17.
    
    Jo

    After recovering from the trauma of the exploratory, Mr. Spock
    made a remarkable recovery. He seemed as healthy and as strong
    as before. Remarkable, considering the diagnosis of liver disease.
    All seemed well, and apparently, it was deceptively so.
    
    About two weeks ago, without warning or outward sign of trouble, 
    he stopped eating again, becoming progressively more weak, even sick. 
    
    The antibiotics and liver enzyme capsules given by the vet were not 
    efficacious. Soon it was clear they were only prolonging his discomfort. 
    
    The quality of life was gone. And this is when I knew it was time.
    
    So on Monday, with one last duty to perform, I brought Mr. Spock
    for the final trip to the vet, and comforted him 'til the end.
      
    He was great cat, and a loyal and loving companion since 1978. 

    I'm very sorry about Mr. Spock.  My thoughts are with you.
    
    Karen
    

    
    My deepest sympathies, you've made the right decision for the love of
    Mr. Spock.
    
    Shaw

    So sorry to hear about Mr. Spock.......the decision must have been
    hard but it truly was the right decision and he will love you forever!
    
    Sandy

    Thank-you, both. I appreciate the thought and feelings you expressed
    in your notes. It means a lot. Those that have experienced a loss
    of long-time pet, (more like a long-time friend) know what it feels like.

    I'm new to this conference and though I looked through all topics, I
    find no place for this question.... so this looks like a good place to
    start.
    
    
    My question is: IF you were new to FELINE care/ownership and wanted to
    be sure to keep track of as much a felines' history as possible, what
    would you keep records of and where would you keep it? 
    
    Example: I would guess keeping shot-records, health history, maybe a
    picture of the feline, license paperwork....
    
    What else, or what would NOT be necessary to keep records of..?
    
    Would the information be different for a show/breed cat?
    
    What records would be kept for a show/breed cat?
    
    What records would be kept for a non-show/non-breed cat?
    
    Thanks for any information you can give.
    
    Bob G.