Positive thoughts for Scrapper

[Mandycat]

Here is an article about bladder cancer in cats.  Note that it mentions that tumor cells could possible by detected in the urine.  There is mention of a specific test to do this.  It could be a less invasive and less costly first step for a positive diagnosis.

          http://www.petplace.com/cats/urinary-bladder-cancer-in-cats/page1.aspx

[shadowmice]

shadowmice,
    I'm so sorry to hear that the vet thinks that Scrapper may have cancer.  I hope that you are able to find a way to find out for sure.
    I went back and re-read this entire thread looking to see if you had mentioned any urinary symptoms and I didn't see any.  Has Scrapper had any problems in that area that you didn't mention?  Blood in urine, straining, frequent trips to the box?  I have to do some research about bladder cancer, but I would think you would have seen some evidence that there was a problem in this area.  Could it be possible that Scrapper just has a UTI?  Did the vet mention prescribing any antibiotics since there was bacteria in the urine?  Did she order a Culture & Sensitivity test?  It sounds like this vet is a very caring person, so perhaps she will be more helpful in coming to a definite diagnosis for Scrapper.  Will keep you and Scrapper in my prayers.  

If there was anything odd about Scrapper's urinary habits it was that I haven't really seen him actually in the process of using the box in a long time - he has always tended to go infrequently and usually when I'm not around to observe him. I do know he has had issues with constipation - small quantities and quite hard poo. That was a relevant symptom to her evauation of his condition. Lately I've been concerned about the quantity of his food intake - he only eats when I help him by holding the dish and sometimes handfeeding him. Lately, the amount he has willing taken has been less and the vet said she didn't feel much in his intestines. I'm concerned that I have not been getting enough in to him and I am going to be asking one of the vets about getting some of the a/d diet or whichever it is that gives more nutrition with a smaller amount of food.

It's only my opinion and I'm not the greatest at reading people, but I had the sense she wanted to discuss various issues more, but technically we were there only for the blood pressure test under referral from our local vet. She did do the urine analysis at my request but she never specifically recommended us doing it at that time directly. She didn't suggest treatment options but she said she would fax the results to our local vet so I feel she was leaving it up them to address the findings.  She never said anything explicitly negative about our local vet but the fact she reiterated frequently how she felt that urine analysis in conjunction with blood panels could reveal more than blood panels alone and one comment about an ambigous piece of info in the record history gave me the sense she was not overly impressed with them. Again, this is only my interpretation of some intangible observations so I could be reading more into it than was really there. It was just another one of those gut feelings - no proof, just a sense.

[shadowmice]

Here is an article about bladder cancer in cats.  Note that it mentions that tumor cells could possible by detected in the urine.  There is mention of a specific test to do this.  It could be a less invasive and less costly first step for a positive diagnosis.

          http://www.petplace.com/cats/urinary-bladder-cancer-in-cats/page1.aspx

Thanks for the link - I'm off to do some reading.

[shadowmice]

shadowmice,
Did the vet mention prescribing any antibiotics since there was bacteria in the urine?  Did she order a Culture & Sensitivity test?

I have to correct my statement from yesterday - she did mention antibiotics could be used to address the bacteria found, but she was concerned given his already limit food intake that they could throw him off too much and cause more problems. Stupid me had a brain cramp yesterday and forgot exactly what she had said. There was so much we covered during our visit it has taken time for everything to percolate in.

[JJ]

Sorry for your news-at least you have an answer and something to go on now. Will say a prayer that quite possibly the diagnosis might be wrong.

[Meowli]

Sending prayers and good wishes for Scrapper.

Meowli, Oscar, Amir, & Casey

[tesla]

My heart breaks for you right now, unfortunately this reminds me so much of what I went through a year ago and I can't keep the tears from flowing .  You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that this proves to be something else.
{{{{hugs}}}}}}

[bug]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Shadowmice. I know first-hand how devastating a cancer diagnosis is, but if there is any question as to whether this is cancer or not, I'd have an ultrasound done to find the tumor, if there is one. I haven't read the entire thread, so has Scrapper had one done?

Prayers and hugs for both of you.

[lesliek]

Sending you both hugs ! I hope this diagnosis is wrong and you find its something treatable.

[Mandycat]

     I agree with bug that an ultrasound would be in order to confirm any diagnosis, or, at the very least, any other test like the one mentioned at the link I gave you that would give confirmation.  I don't like to disagree with anyone's vet, but I don't see the logic in ignoring a UTI and not treating it with the appropriate antibiotic just because it "COULD" cause a decrease in appetite.  I would rather assist-feed or try appetite stimulants or some other way of dealing with the appetite loss than allow an infection to persist.  I would definitely ask for another urine sample to be taken and sent for a complete UA and C & S if this were my cat.  Clear up the infection and then see what the next step might have to be.  Just my opinion. 

[shadowmice]

We were back to our local vet for follow up bloodwork. When I talked on the phone prior to our visit the vet was suggesting he should have antibiotic to treat the bladder issue. When I mentioned the other vet's concerns, she suggested getting a blood workup to check for possible kidney or liver issues. They were supposed to be able to complete the workup there but their machine wasn't working. They'll send the sample to another lab but we won't hear back results until Tuesday now. So it seems we are on hold until the results come in. She was concerned about his hydration and suggested increasing how much water I've been syringing for him. He doesn't drink on his own at all and only eats when I hold the food dish for him to encourage him, sometimes I need to handfeed to get more into him. We've been doing that for quite awhile now; it seemed whatever was causing his seizures was interfering with his ability to eat on his own although the interest was there.

Right now he's having a good snooze curled up in my arms after a good bit of convalescent food mixed with water for breakfast.

[catmom5]

Waiting is so hard. I hope that the bloodwork gives you some answers - and treatments.

catmom5

[Sandi K]

shadowmice, sending many prayers to you and Scrapper.  Im also hoping that somehow it isnt what they are thinking.  Please let us know as soon as you can what the next round of tests show, its so hard not having a definate diagnosis but sometimes it can be hard to get one too.  But it sounds like these additional tests are a good thing to do next.     

[caylee]

I'm so sorry to hear the latest news about Scrapper. Hope that something can be done to make Scrapper feel better.

Hugs

[lesliek]

Positive thoughts for good bloodwork results.