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Latest on Misha
After spending another $500 on Misha today they think she has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy for one thing because of how her ECG looked today. She does not have hypothyroidism though.
The bad news is, they aspirated the lump and the vet said she does think it looks cancerous because of the way the cells looked splintered? She says she's not an expert, though and wants a pathologist to look at it so we're sending it off for them to look at it. We should know in a day or so their results. Bottom line, it will probably have to be removed, hopefully without chemotherapy.
She did a chest x-ray to look at her heart and see if there was any cancer spread in her lungs and said that all looked clear, which is good.
This heart disease she thinks she has she explained is a thickening of the heart from the inside so it doesn't always show an enlarged heart. She doesn't know for sure she has this because we'd have to have a cardiologist confirm this with an echocardiogram which would be hundreds more. She is pretty sure this is what's going on though because of the symptoms she's been having (throwing up and weight loss) and the way the ECG looked.
She wants her to start on a medicine for that but they don't carry it so she needs to find a pharmacy that I can go and get this. I forgot what the name of it is.
I'm going to have to do some investigation on what this heart disease is too.
Anyway, I'll let you all know in a day or so what the outcome looks like with the lump and what the pathologist says and I guess we'll take it from there. One day at a time.
The bad news is, they aspirated the lump and the vet said she does think it looks cancerous because of the way the cells looked splintered? She says she's not an expert, though and wants a pathologist to look at it so we're sending it off for them to look at it. We should know in a day or so their results. Bottom line, it will probably have to be removed, hopefully without chemotherapy.
She did a chest x-ray to look at her heart and see if there was any cancer spread in her lungs and said that all looked clear, which is good.
This heart disease she thinks she has she explained is a thickening of the heart from the inside so it doesn't always show an enlarged heart. She doesn't know for sure she has this because we'd have to have a cardiologist confirm this with an echocardiogram which would be hundreds more. She is pretty sure this is what's going on though because of the symptoms she's been having (throwing up and weight loss) and the way the ECG looked.
She wants her to start on a medicine for that but they don't carry it so she needs to find a pharmacy that I can go and get this. I forgot what the name of it is.
I'm going to have to do some investigation on what this heart disease is too.
Anyway, I'll let you all know in a day or so what the outcome looks like with the lump and what the pathologist says and I guess we'll take it from there. One day at a time.
Oh My....this is awful, just awful. I am so sorry. Hmm...have you searched online? Maybe you will find some helpful articles on heart disease and cancer...and surgery. Oh Gosh poor kitty. Poor Misha. This is so not fair. I will be checking on your posts periodically.
Can you go to another vet? We are talking lots of money, and putting her through pretty much the same thing all over, which would add more stress I'd assume. But maybe it'd be worth getting a second opinion before acting? But, if you are comfortable with that diagnosis then I'd do as they say.
Poor kitty...
Can you go to another vet? We are talking lots of money, and putting her through pretty much the same thing all over, which would add more stress I'd assume. But maybe it'd be worth getting a second opinion before acting? But, if you are comfortable with that diagnosis then I'd do as they say.
Poor kitty...
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April, I would think Misha's age would have something to do with this decision? The reality is, if she is an older cat, throw in the heart murmer on top of surgery, well, you know what I'm about to say...she may not make it and you would still be facing quite a huge vet bill anyway. I am trying to put myself in your shoes...we don't have alot of money either and I am just trying to think logically here. Now if Misha is younger, that may be a whole different story.
I can only assume your vet thinks Misha can make it another month if she is suggesting the beta blockers for a month prior to surgery. Seems though, that Misha's symptoms have already been presenting for two months so will she make it another month, I wonder? This is a terrible dillema!
I am with PK as far as getting a second opinion if you can afford to do that.
I am so sorry and simply devasted to hear this...and practically right on top of losing Willow too.
I can only assume your vet thinks Misha can make it another month if she is suggesting the beta blockers for a month prior to surgery. Seems though, that Misha's symptoms have already been presenting for two months so will she make it another month, I wonder? This is a terrible dillema!
I am with PK as far as getting a second opinion if you can afford to do that.
I am so sorry and simply devasted to hear this...and practically right on top of losing Willow too.
Hi,
I had something similar happen with my 16 year old kitty last year, and I felt I had to get another opinion. He was diagnosed with Intestinal lymphoma, and my regular Vet just didn't know how to treat him. Those aren't the right words, but you know what I mean. I was referred to a Board Certified Internal medicine Vet. His cancer was too widespread for surgery, but with some oral chemo, I was able to give him some quality of life and relief and have him a little longer.
Yes, it's more money for the second opinion, but you already have many of the tests done on Misha, so you could just get copies and take them with you, Do you have a Specialty Hospital nearby? You could ask your Vet for a referral to a Board Certified Vet. It may be more difficult in a rural area. keep checking the Expert Forum, as they do answer. My heart and prayers go out to you and Misha.
I had something similar happen with my 16 year old kitty last year, and I felt I had to get another opinion. He was diagnosed with Intestinal lymphoma, and my regular Vet just didn't know how to treat him. Those aren't the right words, but you know what I mean. I was referred to a Board Certified Internal medicine Vet. His cancer was too widespread for surgery, but with some oral chemo, I was able to give him some quality of life and relief and have him a little longer.
Yes, it's more money for the second opinion, but you already have many of the tests done on Misha, so you could just get copies and take them with you, Do you have a Specialty Hospital nearby? You could ask your Vet for a referral to a Board Certified Vet. It may be more difficult in a rural area. keep checking the Expert Forum, as they do answer. My heart and prayers go out to you and Misha.
The vet on MH wrote back and advised me to get an echocardiogram first to make sure she's actually got this heart disease (not just an assumption) and said a biopsy would be more accurate on the lump too, which makes me mad because my vet told me we could do the biopsy or just aspirate it. To aspirate it would be easier on the cat and in case it didn't show anything. Now I have to pay for 2 tests when I guess I should have just done the biopsy. The thing is, she has to be sedated for the biopsy too. Sigh. I guess first things first, I'll get the echocardiogram but I have to go to a cardiologist for that and shell out another $100, I guess, but it will show a more definate on whether she actually does have this heart disease.
I'll keep you all up to date. Thanks guys.
I'll keep you all up to date. Thanks guys.
Sorry for your "babies" - I am praying for you all that have a cat sick!!!
Hoping for the best... :(
Hoping for the best... :(
Hi,
I saw the Vet's response. He was very good and thorough. The same happened to me with my regular Vet doing a needle aspiration on my cat's abdomen. I ended up going to a Surgical Vet at the Specialty Hospital and he did a needle guided biopsy with an ultrasound. Did your Vet recommend a Cardiologist for Misha? Keep us postted
I saw the Vet's response. He was very good and thorough. The same happened to me with my regular Vet doing a needle aspiration on my cat's abdomen. I ended up going to a Surgical Vet at the Specialty Hospital and he did a needle guided biopsy with an ultrasound. Did your Vet recommend a Cardiologist for Misha? Keep us postted
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