My cat is in trouble!

[Cindee56]

Hi, I have a 14 yr. old Himalayan cat named Tommy.  He is so beautiful, white, cream point with blue eyes!  About 8 years ago he had to have his back leg amputated because of a skin cancer.  He did OK, got used to sort of hopping around.  Then about 6 months ago he started peeing a lot and got constipated.  To make a long story short, the vet found out Tommy has kidney disease.  So we got some medicine for his blood pressure and a stool softener, special food, and it seemed to be stable.

Now, about a week ago I noticed Tommy was walking funny (as much as you can tell since he's missing the back leg).  My husband picked him up and noticed his left front paw was very swollen at the elbow area.  I called the vet right away, we took him in.  It looks like it's probably cancer again.  I'm so upset!  They were going to do a biopsy, but his heart didn't sound good and the EKG came out abnormal, so they couldn't do it.  We brought him home.  I'm supposed to take him back to the vet Monday for a needle aspirate to see if they can tell if it's cancer.

Anyone have any experience with something like this?  Thank you for any advice.

[Savas]

That's great! i'm happy to hear it. It's always a nice thing when I hear back that a cat may actually be fine. Have kitty sacrifice some catnip to Baast, in hopes of further good influence from the Kitty Goddess. :)

[Cindee56]

Hi, just to update with good news.  Tommy does not have cancer.  The test came back that he has synovial cysts on his elbows, caused by severe arthritis, probably.  I took him today to have them drained, and he seems much better and not so swollen.  

We still have to deal with the kidney issue, but at least he doesn't have a tumor, which I was concerned about since he had cancer and lost his leg years ago.  The vet was very happy to tell me this news!

And thank you all for your concern.  Hopefully, my cat will be OK for a while now!

[Savas]

I'm sorry to hear about your kitty. We lost our dog to cancer when I was a kid. It was recurrent and finally just caught up with him despite all efforts. He did make it through three bouts before it got the best of him, though. I hope everything goes well monday.

[Aussie000]

It's a pity Tommy doesn't have a stronger heart because he needs that to undergo anaesthesia if he needs an operation. Chemo therapy is becoming more widely practised in certain vet clinics too if it comes to that.
Regardless of what the vet says next week its always better to get a second opinion regarding what options are available, not sure if you know that you can post here in the pet expert forum and a vet will answer your questions, here's the link anyway http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/112
Our pets certainly work their way into our hearts.. I really hope Tommy can be treated, all the best.

[Cindee56]

Hi, thank you so much for your answer.  Tommy does have arthritis, the vet did an x-ray and said that it's very bad.  However, he said it would not be lumps like that from swelling just from the arthritis, and it's only one side.  He has lost some weight, but only like 2 lbs and that's because he was so constipated.  He's eating now.  THanks for the good wishes.

[Aussie000]

Hi there, there is a possibility he could have the beginnings of arthritis, my parents cat is 16 and he has arthritis and swelling in one elbow and he's had that since he was 14. I do hope it's not cancer, I've been through that once. Has Tommy lost any weight at all? is he looking thinner around his backside area or is he being less sociable towards you?  if so then these could be indicators that cancer could be lurking. Let us know how he gets on and I really hope it's nothing serious. Good luck.