Conference misery::feline

	We're sorry to hear about Murphy, Barbara.  It sounds like he had
	a wonderful life with you, though.

	Sandy, Smudge, Tas, Jenny, C.C., Beau & Spike

    Barbara,
    
    I am so sorry to hear about Murphy's passing.  I was hoping that things
    would turn around and Murphy would go into remission.  
    
    Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.  Until you told us
    about Murphy's cancer, Feline had no information about cancer available
    for it's readers.
    
    My heart goes out to you.
    
    Jo

    
      I'm so sorry to hear about you losing Murphy and your right it
    doesn't get any easier.  I lost my Sylvester about 8 mos ago to
    cancerous tumors and I still miss him every day, but I have to keep
    telling myself that I did give him a wonderful homelife and when it
    was time, I too had to put him down as I would not let him be in pain.
    
    It's a hard hard thing to do..
    I'm very sorry..
    
    Diana

    I'm terribly sorry about Murphy.  My Sweetie owes his life to your
    posting the original message about Murphy, because I would not have
    realized that his little skin lump might be dangerous and would have
    gone into the vet too late about it.
    
    Karen
    

    I'm so very sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers and with
    you.
    
    luv from
    Giudi, Pippin Gino & StiTch

    We are also very sorry to hear about Murphy.. you are in our thoughts
    and prayers..
    Kate, Hapy, Preschie, Kissy

    I'm sorry about Murphy too!
    
    Nancy and her crew

    
    	We are also very sorry about your Murphy.
    
    	Liz and Mocha

    Our deepest condolences and sympathies - Murphy will be missed, but he
    was loved.  There is no more pain for him.
    
    K.C., Rico, Alexandra, (Tiki II)

    Murphy was so lucky to have the loving home you gave him.  It is not
    easy to lose our pets.  But he isn't suffering now and you will have
    so many fond memories.  He knew how well loved he was.
    
    Ellen and the 2 felines Bob and Zelda
    

    we're sorry, too....
    
    Michele, Nippa & Buster

    My sincere sympathies also....you were there for Monroe...and
    he knew it.  
    
    Sandy (Poco, Barkley, Angus, Chloe, Dewey, Abby and Van Gogh
                   and J.C. the stray)

    Murphy's name has been added to the Silver Lining Memorial List for
    this quarter.  I hope that is some small consolation.
    
    Sincerest Sympathies.
      Nancy DC
    

         My sincerest condolences to you, Barbara, on your loss of Murphy.
    
    					- Andrea

        condolences,
    
        Denise and the gang of 11

    Argus didn't feel like eating Saturday night or Sunday. Sunday he was
    going outside of the box, I thought he might have just been having an
    FUS attack and brought him into the vet Monday morning. He was very
    anemic (PCV=13) and dehydrated over night. He was given fluids, started
    eating  and his PCV count was steadily improving so on Wed they told me
    that he would probably go home Saturday. Yesterday afternoon his
    condition did a 180 degree turn. He was jaundiced and passed out. I
    rushed him to Angell Memorial where an X-ray showed some kind of tumor.
    To make a long story short, he went into cardiac arrest at about 7:30,
    and the autopsy showed the liver was totally gone, and there was a tumor
    on the pancreas. I think that the vet said lymph nodes, too. The tumor
    was very fast growing, and he was inoperable, but not in pain. They
    have send slices down to pathology to confirm that the tumor was
    malignant, and to determine which was the primary carcenoma (it is
    usually the pancreas in cats). 
    
    Argus was also an FUS cat, and the autopsy showed that his reoccurance
    with the problem seemed to be caused by a "diviculum"(?) near the
    bladder? (I think that was the word, but I took physics instead of
    biology, so if anyone knows what I am talking about please feel free to
    correct me). 
    
    Argus J. Pussycat, Esq., may your memory be eternal and everlasting!
    
    Deb

	Sorry to hear about Argus, Deb.  I feel like I almost know him.

	Sandy

    Debbie, I am sitting here in tears,, I am so sorry to hear about
    Argus.. I also feel like i know him personally,) even though
    every time I was slapped with aninjunction or  a lawsuit
    he never delivered them personally ). I believe in my
    heart that he has already opened a satelite office in
    Heaven, and I know he is smiling down on you and
    the rest of the FIRM. !!!You are in my thoughts and
    prayers..  
    Kate, Happy, Preschie, Kissy...
    
    P.S. Does this mean the FIRM holding Memorial services for
    him,, and how long will the office be closed..!!!!!

    
    Deb,
    
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  I don't know what The Princess
    Panther Jane will do now for legal representation, but I know that she
    is planning a scholarship fund in his memory.  (I feel like I know this
    cat too...) After all he did deliver the keynot address at the
    Coronation of the Princess.
    
    All I can say is that HRH Pookie, (R. I. P.) must have needed his
    services......
    
    Feline sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spots we all send big gentle hugs to you and your
    family.  :-(    
    

         Deb, I'm really so sorry.
    
    					- Andrea  

    Deb, I too am very sorry.  A friend of mine lost her dog to something
    that sounds very very similar.
    
    Giudi

    I'm so sorry too...poor Argus!  You must have wonderful
    memories to keep close to your heart and cherish those
    memories!
    
    Sandy

    I'm really sorry about Argus.  I feel as though I know him too.
    
    Karen
    

    Ditto to all the other condolensces, Deb.  So terribly sorry about
    your loss,
    
    Nancy

I've met so many cats that I will never see...We will miss Argus - he was
a special friend.

			D and the wilde house gang

    Sudden death is so hard... you are in our thoughts.
    
    -Roberta and the 'boys'
    

    Ours, too.
    
    K.C., Leigh, Rico & Alex

    
          we are very sorry for you and Argus too
    
          Denise and the gang of 11
    
          diverticulum are little pockets of weak areas in the organs, 
    humans get them too, especially in the colon. 

    Deb,
    
    I'm sorry to hear of your loss.  I'm sorry Argus is gone, but I'm glad
    to know he didn't suffer.
    
    Karen

    Aw, Deb, I'm so sorry.  We're all gonna miss him.  Kitty Heaven now has
    one hell of a great cat roaming around.  I think Sue was right...HRH
    must have needed some legal help and she asked for the best...
    
    So sorry....
    
    Mary + 7

    We're so sorry to hear about Argus....
    
    Michele & Nippa
    

    
    So sorry to hear about Argus...
    
    Kirk +7

    Thanks everyone. I bought a "family plot" at Hillside Acre in Methuen
    (the MSCPA cemetary), and Argus is being laid to rest on Friday. 
    The vet at Angell told me that this came up so fast there was no way it
    would have ever been detected, but he had been so healthy for the past
    couple of years, his sudden death has just blown my mind. The FIRM
    seemed to realize that something happened on Thursday night. Pip, the
    twins and Kostas really seem to be greiving.
    
    I want to thank everyone for their supportive notes and mail, and I
    want to especialy thank Pam Levine for taking that last ride into
    Angell with me.
    
    Deb

    Our beloved Morris (15 going on 16) started losing a lot of weight and
    when I took him to the vet two weeks ago, the doctor said he felt a
    mass in the abdomen, probably an adeno-carcinoma -- in other words,
    he has stomach cancer.  I am heartsick.  Some days he does very well,
    wants to eat, wants his cuddles and "lap time."  Other days, all he
    wants to do is sleep.  He is still drinking water at a good clip.
    The vet said to do whatever makes him happy and
    comfortable, within reason, and to give him a high protein diet.  Right
    now, Morris' favorite thing to eat is turkey breast from the deli!
    
    Anyway, the vet gave him 6-12 weeks, max.  How have other noters
    handled this situation?  We have two young kids, 5 and 2, who love
    Morris dearly.  I've already told the older one that Morris isn't going
    to get better.
    
    I had to get my house sprayed for carpenter ants last spring, and I
    wondered if this could have caused Morris' cancer.  The extermination
    company said it wasn't harmful, but sometimes I wonder.
    
    Thanks for any help you can provide,
    Kate (new member)  

   Kate...

   My heart and prayers are with you, your family and Morris.  I've been
   in your shoes with a cancer kitty as well...and we had approximately 
   2 months together before I knew it was time to let him go.   All we did
   was spoil him rotten by giving him alot of attention and feeding him
   shrimp, lobster, tuna, chicken etc.  Love is what he needs most...and
   considering he's 15 years old and has a wonderful family...I'm sure he 
   knows he is loved.

   Today..I'm dealing with a 17 year old kitty who has kidney disease and
   I know deep in my heart the time we have together won't be long. But
   again....we show him love and provide him with treats even though he should
   be on a low-protein diet.   The vet didn't feel he would make it 2 months...
   but so far it has been 7 months and he is still eating/drinking and acting
   like he wants to live. (he's a little slow..and looks confused at times..
   but I think that is just old age)

   If you need to talk/write...please feel free to write off-line.  My
   biggest fear was feeling I wouldn't know when the time came to stop
   his suffering...but somehow I just knew and I'm sure you will too.

   Hugs to you...

   Sandy

    
    Environmentally induced cancers (e.g., from insecticides, were they in
    fact carcinogenic) usually take a *long* time to develop.  I wouldn't
    worry that anything you did last year could have caused Morris to
    develop cancer.  It's more likely it was genetic in origin.  My own
    Wabbit developed an aggressively invasive malignant mammary tumor when
    she was 12; even after the mastectomy the vet's prognosis was another 6
    months or so.  She lived another five years - it took the combination
    of kidney failure, diabetes, and recurring bladder infections to
    finally beat her.
    
    Her stepbrother, Merlin, is now 18 1/2, and like Sandy's 17 year old he
    too has tired kidneys.  Every additional day with him is a gift. 
    
    len.
    

    Kate,
    
         I'm sorry to read about Morris.  Our tough guy, Bigfoot, is
    currently fighting cancer as well (he's in the pancreatic cysts note,
    but I've keyworded some of it to cancer now that the diagnosis has been
    changed).  The vet has "terminal cancer" on his chart, but so far he's
    doing okay.
    
         Spoil him, love him, make him comfortable and enjoy what time you
    have left.  That's what we're doing, trying to make every day count. 
    It's hard, and it's sad, but it's well worth it.  I count every day as
    a blessing.
    
         Hang in there, and feel free to write me off-line too if you'd
    like.
    
    					- Andrea

    Well, today is the day.  Morris can barely move, nd so this afternoon
    my husband is going to take him to the veterinarian and have him put to
    sleep.  Morris was 15.  He is survived by two loving "people" families,
    many cousins, neighbors and friends.  Because he was neutered, he
    leaves no offspring.
    
    Morris was the first pet I ever had.  He was loyal, affectionate,
    tough, smart, and territorial as hell.  He tangled with many an
    adversary in his day -- other cats, raccoons, squirrels -- but he
    couldn't beat this adversary.  
    
    Morris, I'll never forget you.  You were the best cat ever, and you
    will always live in my heart.

    Oh, I'm so sorry.  I like to think that my Moon will greet him and show
    him the ropes wherever kitty spirits go....  Try to take comfort that
    the euthanasia procedure is quick and peaceful, and that Morris knew
    you were doing the best for him, releasing him from that well-used
    body.  Hope your children don't have too difficult a time with the
    loss.
    
    Lesliel

    I'm so sorry, too.  I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a
    well-loved cat.
    
    Steffi

    Kate,
     
     I'm so sorry about Morris. Please know you did all you could, and made
    him as loved and comfortable as possible. He knows how much you loved
    him, and is most likely greatful to be released fronm that horrible
    illness.
    
     Morris will be added to the Silver Lining Memorial list.
    
     Love,
    
     Yonee

    
    	Kate,
    
    	I read back through the file and found your first note about
    	Morris, just shortly after he was diagnosed. I'm sorry that
    	all of you had to go through this, but at least Morris was
    	spolied rotten to the end and knows how much he is loved.
    
    	I'm glad you have the strength and wisdom to know that it's
    	time to let go. My Tiggr and many other kitties will be waiting
    	to greet Morris and welcome him into the fold.
    
    	Heidi

    All our departed little ones wait for us in that heavenly living room
    where they sit in our laps and we pet them and they purr for eternity.
    
    I know how you must feel, having just been there myself, but the pain
    will pass in time.  If you keep the wonderful memories close to you,
    Morris will live forever in your heart.
    
    Carl

Each time a fur-face passes on, my own pain comes back.  Don't know, sometimes
how we make it, but we do.  15 long years is wonderful.  You'll be greeted by
Morris again one day, he'll look up and you'll be there for one another again. 
This thought came from a lovely poem I read in Ann Landers this weekend.  I had
heard part of this when we lost our Scruffy and Zeebee last year.  It's a nice
thought to look forward to.

Carol Weston

				Fuzzy Hugs from Dot & Smucky

    So sorry to hear about Morris. 
    Remember, only Morris' physical presence is gone, but his spirit and 
    kitty smiles will live on forever in your heart and happy memories.
    
    - Lauri

    I think of you and Morris.
    Until we all meet.
    Nat
      

         So sorry to hear of Morris' passing.  Sounds clich'ed, but time
    really does ease the pain, and soon you'll be able to think of Morris
    and remember those fond memories without grieving tears.
    
    					- Andrea

    My heart is with you during your time of grief.   Morris will live
    in your heart and mind forever....
    
    Sandy

     
    I'm so sorry for your loss.  You and Morris will meet again.  Until
    then you have sympathy.
    
    Feline Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spots & Cinnamon

Kate,

I too am so sorry to hear about Morris, but know you did the right thing putting
him out of his pain.  May the memories you cherish of Morris always keep him
alive in your heart.

Hugs,
Laura

    My glory,  I just happened to pull up this note because my Josette
    has just had two mast cell tumors removed.  One from the top of her
    head and the other was on her breast and the nipple was removed too.
    
    I had been feeling not to scared about it as the vet told me, and also
    from what I had read that these things are usually not deadly.  We
    still have to have a blood test done called a buffy coat smear to
    determine if she has mast cells floating around in her blood stream. 
    Like an ostrich, I haven't done it yet.
    
    My heart sank when I read .0  I guess I get the test done this week.
    Josette has been licking her lips for quite some time and I attributed
    it to being normal for her.  Now I don't know what to think.  Her
    exrays came back with all looking normal except that her brochial or
    rather the big tube (can't think well right now) was a little enlarged. 
    She had been coughing and this was the cause.  Brian attributed it to
    allergies.  
    
    If any of you have more info to give on this topic, I would greatly
    appreciate it.  She has been much more lovey and attentive to me lately
    and always sleeping right ON me.  I have questioned in the back of my
    mind if she knows something is wrong and is trying to be close to me.
    This is very hard.
    thanks,
    Karen

    Karen,
    
    I know it's hard, but try to keep the faith.  Don't put yourself
    in a tizzy until you know for certain something is wrong.
    
    We're all pulling for you and little Joey.  Keep us posted...
    
    Many kitty prayers,
    Pam

    Karen...I agree try to keep the faith you do know how many
    cats can pull through major issues!!   
    
    My dealings with tumors have been good and bad.  I did lose one
    kitty, Taffy who had two massive tumors on his kidney, but I also
    know my sister has had a success story with her kitty Mitzi.  If
    you remember (I know I posted a note somewhere??), Mitzi is a 17 
    year old kitty who had a cancerous tumor on her leg and had the
    leg amputated in the spring.  Well Mitzi is still doing great and 
    shows no other signs of sickness or lumps. 
    
    My heart, good vibes and love are with you....
    
    Sandy

    Hi Karen,
    
         I'm pulling for you and Josette too.  So far I've only had "good"
    experience with cancer (with Bigfoot, my wonder-kitty), and that was of
    the malignant type, not the mast cell type.  There are success stories,
    here's hoping that Josette is one too!
    
    					- Andrea

    
    Karen - Wabbit was biopsied with an aggressively invasive malignant
    mammary tumor at age 12; the vet was very pessimistic, and his prognosis
    was even with a  mastectomy she was likely not to live more than six
    months.  We did the mastectomy, and she lived five more wonderful years,
    to finally lose her fight against kidney failure, recurring bladder
    infections and diabetes, on New Year's Eve four years ago.
    
    When it's time to give up hope it will be clear; it doesn't sound like
    you're close yet.
    
    len (who still misses his big brown Wabbit).

    Thanks guys,
    I am having Josette scheduled for her blood work today.  It is just so
    scary, and she being one of my first and most loved.  She slept in my
    friends lap last night until she had to leave.  I hope the fur grows
    back on her head soon.  I shouldn't be calling her "Frankenkitty" any
    more.
    Karen and Josette

    Oh Karen...I call Capone "Caca-butt" and he don't seem to mind.
    The hair does grow back...but it really seems like it takes a long
    time.  Capone still has a naked stub of a tail...but it is now
    starting to get very fine fur.  (it's so cute!!)
    
    Please keep us posted...and hugs to you!
    
    Sandy                                           

    Unfortunatly, this has happened again (cat number 4 in 5 years with
    cancer). This time it was Alexandra "the Greatest" S. Pussycat, Esq.
    
    About 3 weeks ago she stopped eating. Bloodwork showed pancreatitis.
    The antibiotics were makeing her nauseous, so lat Tuesday (a week ago
    today) I brought her to the vet to get them via an IV. I dropped her
    off at 9am on my way to the dentist, and I was going to stop back to
    see her on my way into work, but the dental appointment ran late so I
    went into work. I called at 2:30 and heard she was doing fine, she was
    even happy, purring and taking food. At 3:55, I got a phone call from
    the vet; he was in checking on Alex, remarked how good she looked and
    started examining the blocked cat in the next cage. Out of the corner
    of his eye, he saw her jump out of her bed, hit her head on the top of
    cage and collapse. It was loud enough that the other vet heard it in
    the next room. He was unable to recessute her. Autoposy results showed
    that there was an inflamed pancrease, but no tumors inside. However,
    there was a leison under her tounge, that had appeared since her exam
    the prior week. I just got the results back this morning. It was a
    highly malignant, fast growing cancer that was matastisising. Also, the
    day before I brought her in, I thot I felt a lump on the side of her
    neck, around the lymph nodes/salava glands. (I didn't want her
    "disected" prior to burial, so the vet didn't make cuts in the neck
    area. Anyhow, she passed quickly, and was in no pain.
    
    In retrospect, I kind of wish I'd have left her home. When I picked her
    up to bring her to the vet in the morning, she was happily watching the
    squirrel on the corn feeder. 
    
    Memory Eternal,
    Deb

    
    Deb, sorry about your loss, my deepest sympathies.
    
    Shaw

    Hi Deb, as I said earlier.. We are very sorry...
    
     Kate

If you had left her home, you'd probably be wishing you'd done more for her,
like taken her to the vet.

I'm sorry this happened.

    Deb,

    I'm sorry you had to go through this yet again !  I've added Alex's
    name to the SLM listing.

	Debbi J

    Deb...my heart is with you during this sad time.  Take comfort
    in knowing she did not suffer for long and she is now with all
    our other kitties who have gone before her.
    
    Sandy

    thanks, everyone. While I am still stunned, the FIRM and I appreciate 
    everyone's kind words (here and in themany personal email messages I
    got).
    
    Deb and THE FIRM

    Deb,
    
    So very sorry at the loss of your friend.
    
    - Lauri
    

    Deb,
    
          My condolences to you too on your loss of Alex.
    
    					- Andrea

    thanks.
    
    Deb
    

    
    Deb,
    
    We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Alex Esq.  The Princess is
    especially saddend at the passing of her personal Attorney and a
    memorial service will be held in her honor.
    
    Feline Sad,
    
    Sue 
    
    & Princess Panther Jane, Spots & CinnyMan
    

    than you, Sue & Princess Panther Jane, Spots & CinnyMan
    
    Deb and The FIRM

    Deb,
    
    I am sorry to hear of your loss.  Know that I will be
    thinking of you.
    Karen

    thanks.
    
    Deb

        So sorry  to  hear  about Alex.  Deb, you have our sympathy and
        our empathy.  About three weeks ago, we lost our Tas, age 7, to
        a cancerous tumor found  growing  in  his  soft palate.  It had
        spread into the base of  his  brain,  so removing it was out of
        the question.  His loud, sealpoint  MEOW  had  changed,  and he
        seemed to be losing weight, which is why we brought him in.  We
        really miss the big guy :^(
        
        Andy & Sandy, with Smudge, Jenny, Beau & Spike.
        

    I'm so sorry, Andy (and Sandy). This is starting to sound like an 
    epidemic as it is the 3rd fast growing mouth cancer I've heard about
    this month (I hadn't heard of any for a long time). How are the other
    cats taking it? 
    
    Deb

    
        Hi Deb - sorry for the delay.  I don't get in here often.  The
        other cats (Jenny, Beau & Spike) seem to be taking it in stride.
        Smudge, though (the calico), took it pretty hard, as he was the
        only Siamese that she liked.  She's been really clingy ever since
        he's been gone.
        
        

    Sweetie is going in for an operation tomorrow to have the 4th(?) mast
    cell tumor he's had in the last 4-5 years removed.  Since the
    previous ones were benign, the vet thinks it's likely this one
    is benign also, but Sweetie can use your good thoughts...  Poor
    puss, this and the diabetes, and he is such a sweet kitty.  Just
    a warning about these mast cell tumors, they are -really- hard to
    spot;  the vet and I both thought this was just a tiny scar of
    some sort initially, and only the needle biopsy turned up the
    mast cells, so have those little tiny skin lumps checked out, folks.
                               

         Hugs and good vibes to Sweetie and you ...
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight

    JoJo's guardian angel said she would be glad to peek in on Sweetie.
    
    Best thoughts from JoJo, Gizmo, Tigger, and Orphy.

    The vet just called and Sweetie came thru the operation okay
    (my baby!)  We should have the test results on the tissue by
    next Monday.  Thanks for all the good thoughts, and keep them
    coming until then.  Sweetie thanks you too,
    
    Karen
    

    
    Karen and Sweetie,  paws and fingers crossed, and wishing Sweetie 
    all the best;-)
    
    Shaw

    and waiting for more.......................
    
    Steve

    Sweetie is home, with a fashionable beige and orange bandage
    wrapped around his tummy.  The colors go very well with his
    black, beige, and white coloring, and he seems to be feeling
    chipper.  Now we're just waiting for the test results.
    

         What great news!  Here's hoping for a speedy recovery and good
    test results!
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight

    The vet called and said the tissue test results came back early, and
    they showed all the tumor was removed.  He left voice mail, so it
    wasn't 100% clear if the tissue was benign, questionable, or what, but
    I'm taking this as good news until I double check with him on
    Monday.  (He never leaves bad news on voice mail, he always actually
    talks to me instead.)  Yeah! and thanks for the good thoughts, folks.
    

    I'm glad Sweetie is doing well.
    
    Deb

Hi all,

My cat Mosa had been loosing weight lately, so we took her to the vet this morning.  The vet 
felt a egg-size tumors in her abdomen.  Mosa is probably around 16 years old and he
felt that there was nothing to be done other than making her as comfortable as possible, 
etc.   Do any of you think another opinion is called for?   He said, if the cat were 
younger, surgery might be a consideration, but in a cat her age, he would not do the surgery
since he wasn't sure she would even survive it or what he would find.
I guess resigning myself to loosing her is hard without at least another opinion  -- but I 
can't imagine what another vet would or could even suggest at this point.

Was wondering if any of you had gone through this with an older cat or had an opinion on
the value of getting a second opinion on a diagnosis that was pretty grim.

Other than her loss of weight, she has absolutely no other symptoms.  Her appetite is good,
she is still perky, and seems to be totally herself.

Thanks.

Diana

    Hi Diana...
    
    So sorry to hear about your kitty Mosa.   If I was in your shoes..I
    would atleast want to ensure I have all the needed info before I
    was ready to say "nothing can be done".  What type of tests did
    your vet do???   Do they know for sure if it is a cancercous
    tumor..was a needle biobsy done???  Has your cat had a full blood 
    panel done to see if anything else is wrong ..ie kidney, liver etc.
    
    I personally would pay the money to get a complete analysis of
    the tumor as well as the kitties health before I made any
    decision.   I once had a vet (no longer go to him) that told
    me my JC had a cancerous tumor on his jaw...only to find out
    that it was an abscess and was treatable.  This vet did NOT
    do any medical test...just felt a bump and told me it was a cancerous
    tumor.  
    
    Sandy 
    
    

Thanks Sandy,

He only felt the tumor (which was the size of an egg).  Said they couldn't do anything for her.
What I don't know is how they know whether it's cancerous or not.  Maybe put together
with her age and rapid weight loss, etc.  I don't know.    No blood panel was done, nor needle
biopsy.    I am thinking of calling for another opinion, but the thought of putting her through
a lot of awful tests seems unbearable -- of course, so is the alternative.  But then again, 
what if it's just a benign tumor and the weight loss has nothing to do with it?   I guess the 
mass was large enough that he didn't feel any tests were necessary.  He didn't even give her
her shots -- which she was due for.  Sad.     

Diana

    I would certainly consider getting a second opinion.  I'm just a
    layperson, but I don't see how that vet could write a random lump
    off as inoperable.  Older cats can do well going thru surgery if
    they are otherwise in good health (heart okay, etc.) and care is
    taken with the anesthesia.  Your vet has set of alarm bells in my
    head about his competence.  Please let us know what is happening.
    
    p.s.  In my family the female humans have had large benign abdominal
    tumors, one per human, for three generations, all removed successfully.
    

I'd like to take her to Angel Memorial Hospital in Boston, and have asked in another note
if anyone had the name of a vet there that they used..  Thanks for your help.  I'll keep you 
posted.

Diana

    going to Angell is a good idea, but before you go, you could save some
    money if you had an xray and a needle biopsy done locally.
    
    Deb
    

    I vote for going to a specialist now.  Yes, you'd save money on initial
    tests, but an oncologist at Angell or Tufts will do the *right* tests
    now instead of you doing some tests at a local vet just to be referred
    to a specialist if it's cancer.  An oncologist will tell you if chemo
    is an option & what their experience has been with surgery vs chemo vs
    no treatment & prognosis for the various kinds of tumors and treatment
    options.  So, if you're going to spend money on a second opinion, you're 
    doing the right thing by going to Angell - be sure to ask for an
    oncologist.  You'll most likely end up saving money in the long run.
    
    Best of luck, I hope it's not serious.
    
    Regards,
    liz

Several people have asked about a needle biopsy.  I'm wondering if such a thing is 
possible in such an internal tumor?  This is not on the surface of her skin at all.
In fact, it's so internal, you *really* have to press to feel it. Do they do needle
biopsies on tumors like this?

But yes, I'll go right to the big guns -- I'll call Angel Memorial and ask to get an appt.
with an oncologist.

    
    My Wabbit had a mammary tumor removed at the age of twelve,  The biopsy
    was very discouraging, the tumour was malignant and aggressively
    invasive.  Still, the surgery was successful, and Wabbit lived for five
    more years, until her kidneys failed.  She was one tough cookie.
    
    Get a second opinion.  If your cat has Wabbit's spririt and will to
    live, it will be worth it for both of you.
    
    len.
      

I'm taking her to Angel Memorial on Monday.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all your
responses and concern.

Diana

         Bigfoot had his last surgery 6 months ago at the age of 17.  It
    was a slow recovery for him, but he is now bouncing around like a
    kitten.  He has fought cancer for 7 years now, has had about 4
    surgeries.
    
         There is certainly hope for older kitties with cancer and facing
    surgery; sometimes these old guys have a tough spirit and really fight.
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight
    

My 16-year-old cat had a fibrocarsoma (I think that's the name) 
removed from her side last December and she came through with flying 
colors.  (Now we're just hoping there'll be no recurrence, though 
the vet said these things do tend to come back, sigh....)

Best of luck with your kitty!

-- Nina

Our appointment is this evening at Angel Memorial.
I'll keep you all posted.  She is still loosing weight
and I am discouraged.  Will let you know what the oncologist
thinks.

Diana

    Good luck. And please let us know how things turn out.
    
    Deb

They did a battery of tests this am.  CBC, urine, ultrasound, x-rays, etc. 
He'll be calling me this afternoon with results.  He felt the "tumor" in
her abdomen.

He said it was a *large* abnormal mass -- and that it could be anything.
The test results would give him a better idea of what he was 
dealing with.

Diana

    we are keeping our fingers and paws crossed for you.
    
    Deb

         Good luck, Diana, healing vibes are being sent to you.
    
         We have to make a similar decision - our vet made a housecall
    yesterday for shots and found another large mass in Bigfoot (we haven't
    been checking, I guess that's called sticking one's head in the sand
    ;^) ).  She would like to operate, thinks it's discrete and shouldn't
    be too hard on the old (17-1/2) boy.  It could eat through the
    abdominal wall again or strangulate the intestines if we don't operate,
    or he could not make the surgery or have a miserable recovery (or it
    could be an easier recovery than the last time which was hard).
    
         We need to think about this ... what a difficult decision :-( .
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight
                                         

    poor Bigfoot!  And poor you; these are horrible decisions to have to
    make. 
    
    Deb

Yes, poor Bigfoot -- and poor us for having to make these decisions.  

Our first vet said to let "nature take its course".  It's hard
to know when to do that though.  Right now Mosa is *still* in the 
hospital.   Her kidneys are not good, but not in failure, her urine
test shows that she's got some disfunction there.  They said they  would
do the ultra sound and biopsy first thing this am cause they couldn't do
it last night.  Now when I called, they told me it's scheduled for "this
afternoon".  Part of me wants to just say "forget it" and bring her home
and just make her comfortable.  However, the other part of me wants to know
what this "mass" is.   We pretty much decided not to subject her to chemo
therapy or major surgery, so I'm wondering why I'm even doing the ultrasound?
He said he could give her some meds for hyperthyroid, but I guess it's better
to have the whole picture to know what you're dealing with.  

This is  torture.  Sorry for all the sick kitties and for all of us going 
through this with them.  

Maybe I'll just get a stuffed toy next time.  :-(

D.

    Diana,
    
         I know the feeling about getting a stuffed toy ;^) , but deep down
    I wouldn't want this.  I feel good giving my kitties and bunnies a
    special life, even if it is short at times; it's been than spending
    their lives in a vet clinic because no one would take them.
    
         Healing vibes to Mosa and I hope that they can at least determine
    what this is.  The decision is hard, and personal, but whatever you
    decide will be right.
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight
    

         I just talked with our vet again and found that I misunderstood
    her.  She doesn't want to take the mass out now, since he's having a
    good life.  She does want to try it when he gets sick as a last ditch
    effort since at that point he will pass on without it; it will be a
    gamble whether he will make it through but suffer, or whether he will
    make it through and get another few months of quality life, or whether
    he won't make it.
    
         She wants to see him in a month; I think she figures that at that
    time he will either be sick or the mass will herniate and we'll have to
    do something.  So we have about a month of quality time before we have
    to make this decision.
    
         We've been cherishing the days, but we will do even more now. 
    Gosh, I wish he could talk and *tell* me what *he* wants to do.  The
    last surgery's recovery was difficult and she expects this one will be
    just as hard.  Sigh ...
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight
    

    Sweetie had surgery this morning to remove three mast cell tumors.
    About a week and a half ago his regular vet went on a three week
    vacation, and two days later I noticed a very small lump that I thought
    might be a mast call tumor.  Because I'd had problems during the vet's
    vacation last year finding a vet who could deal with Sweetie's
    diabetes (long story, they over-prescribed insulin, etc.), I was
    really worried about having some unknown vet do surgery, so I hoped
    I could wait until his regular vet returned.
    
    But, I got more and more worried, so the short story is that he went
    in for a check on this at a friend's vet, and that vet found a second
    tumor in a more dangerous place (under the body, where it is more
    like to spread to internal organs), and during the surgery this
    morning, he found a third one which he says was very small.  Instead
    of being rational and going to work during the surgery, I waited in
    the vet's office until it was done.  He had a short time afterwards to
    talk to me and very briefly (too briefly) went over some possible
    future treatments, etc.  He's going to do an xray to see about, I
    think, any spread to something or other, and an ultrasound of the
    spleen is a possibility also,although not today since they aren't set up
    for it.  I didn't understand from our talk if these could spread to the
    spleen or from it, I'll be glad when Sweetie's regular vet returns
    because he clearly explains stuff.
    
    Anyway, the current state is I am supposed to be able to pick Sweetie up
    this afternoon (my baby! I want him home!), the pathology report on the
    three tumors should be available sometime Friday.  It is very worrying
    that this recurrence is only about a year after the last tumor was
    removed, and this time there were three.  Before there was never more
    than one.  Sweetie and I would appreciate good thoughts and prayers.
    

    Thank goodness for AltaVista.  I queried "mast cell" AND (feline OR
    cat) and found some info.  One hopeful quote:  " The number of
    cutaneous lesions does not  necessarily indicate malignancy or the
    likelihood of visceral metastasis."
    

    Karen...many kitty prayers coming your way.  Sweetie is a very
    strong kitty and has fought many other problems over the years,
    so stay strong for him because he will stay strong for you.
    
    Please keep us posted...hugs to you.
    
    Sandy 

    Karen,
    
         Many kitty vibes coming to you and Sweetie from Bigfoot, Loki,
    Midnight and myself.  Hang in there!
    
    					- Andrea

Karen,

Thinking of you and your kitty -- hope you connect with
your regular vet soon.  Sending good, hopeful thoughts to 
the west coast.

Diana

    Sweetie is much more alert this morning, and is back on his normal
    insulin dosage.  He is getting major cuddling :-)  The vet called last
    night and there was some mixup and they didn't do the xray, so I may
    wait for the regular vet to be back in less than two weeks for that.
    Waiting now for the pathologist's report on Friday.  Thanks so much for
    all the good thoughts and prayers, Sweetie sends kisses,
    
    Karen
     

    I went home to check on Sweetie this noon and found him curled up on a
    corduroy covered beanbag chair.  I'll bet he figured out this is comfy
    since he has stitches on both sides, sigh.
    

    Hi Karen,
    
    I'm not sure what an x-ray would show you in terms of mast cell tumor
    metastasis.  It rarely spreads to the lungs (as most other tumors do).
    So, you may want to talk to your regular vet about this before you
    spend the $$ on it.  
    
    A peripheral blood count could help if they're concerned about systemic 
    spread.  A test called a buffy coat prep is one of the blood tests we use 
    at Tufts to determine if there's systemic mast cell tumor spread.  If a 
    certain number of mast cells are found on the buffy coat prep, then you 
    would have a high clinical suspicion that there is systemic involvement.
    
    You can ultrasound the spleen & perhaps do a fine needle aspirate at
    that time to look for mast cells there.  A bone marrow biopsy is also
    another option.  But bloodwork might be a good first step before
    deciding on those semi-invasive procedures.  
    
    Your vet will talk to you about radiation therapy based on how the
    tumor margins look on pathology.  Also, the grade of the tumor will be
    important in determining the prognosis.  The more "differentiated" it
    is, the better the prognosis.  You may want to consider radiation if
    the tumors aren't well differentiated.  Also, radiation therapy will
    depend on where the tumors were (they have to be in areas that don't
    have vital structures underneath).
    
    If there is systemic involvement, the chemotherapy is usually
    prednisone.  I will ask around at Tufts to see if they're doing
    anything new in terms of chemo for Mast Cell tumors.
    
    I'm glad Sweetie is doing well - I'll be thinking good wishes for the
    path report!!
    Best of luck,
    Regards,
    liz

    Thanks for the info, Liz.  One of the things that caused me some
    uneasiness is that the vet didn't seem to know about the buffy
    coat blood test as being important.  He seemed to just dismiss it,
    while Dr. Walker did use it.  Unfortunately, Sweetie is sensitive to
    predni(so?)lone -- it aggravates his diabetes, so I am wondering if
    there is some substitute that might not.  (Is pred actually
    considered chemotherapy?  I thought chemotherapy drugs were somewhat
    toxic drugs that killed cells, but were more lethal to cancerous cells
    than normal cells.  Pred is a steroid, isn't it?)  I think the
    xray was to look not at the lungs, but something else (maybe enlarged
    lymph nodes, I'm not sure, as the vet was in a rush.)
    

         Pred is a steroid; among other things it slows cancer/tumor
    growth.  This is why Bigfoot is on it, 5mg every other day; although
    his tumor is growing, it is growing slower than it would be if her
    weren't on the pred.  I don't know if pred does anything against mast
    cells, though.
    
         Healing hugs to Sweetie, he really is a sweetie if he isn't
    pulling those stitches.
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Bigfoot, Loki & Midnight
    

    Pred does slow mast cell problems in at least some
    cases.  That's why it's unfortunate that it aggravates Sweetie's
    diabetes (we know that from when he took it for his respiratory
    problem).  I have my fingers crossed that we won't even have to
    consider pred, though, if the pathologist's report comes back okay.  It
    turns out the "substitute" vet is away until Monday, so I'll be talking
    to one of the other vets about the pathologist's report tomorrow, maybe
    she'll will give me another viewpoint.
    
    Sweetie is wearing a lovely blue elizabethan collar so that he
    doesn't pull out his stitches :-)
    
    I'm glad Bigfoot is hanging in there, give him a big, comforting
    hug from his Aunt Karen and a paw pat from Sweetie.
    

    The pathologist's report came back.  When Sweetie's regular vet, Dr.
    Walker, gets these results, he's told me two things:  the
    pathologist was able to tell from the tissue that all of the tumor was
    removed, and what I've understood to be a quasi-benign to malignant
    sort of grading of the tumor.  The substitute vet's office just was
    able to tell me the first thing, and said "mast cell tumors are
    usually in the benign end of the spectrum."  I really pushed my
    question about this to the vet I was talking to, but she just said mast
    cell tumors aren't "graded."  So, I think they may have sent it to a
    lab that isn't as technically sophisticated as Dr. Walker's.  She did
    say that the lab kept the tissue samples ad infinitum, so I will ask
    Dr. Walker about this when he returns, and maybe he will be able to
    tell me more or will want his lab to look at them.
    
    I guess the bottom line is cautiously optimistic.  I'll know more in a
    week and a half when Sweetie sees Dr. Walker.
    
    Thanks so much for all the good thoughts and prayers, everyone.
    

    And the good thoughts will continue.....  How is Sweetie feeling?????
    
    Sandy 

    He seems to be feeling well.  He's walking around comfortably (two of
    the incisions were in one back leg area, so that seemed really
    uncomfortable when he first came home), eating well :-), drinking,
    using the litter box.
    
    Someone has been having slightly loose stools for the past two days,
    but I'm not sure if it's Sweetie or not.  He's taking an
    antibiotic, Clavamox, which I guess might cause that.  I'm keeping an
    eye out, and hopefully when I'm home this weekend will be able to
    determine which cat it is.
    
    

    Hi Karen,
    
    Do you know if your vet would send the path sample to Tufts?
    If so, just let me know what the vet's practice name is & if you'd
    like, I can look it up & give you a "second" interpretation, and even
    go talk to the pathologist that read it out for you if it seems that
    vague.
    
    I'm suprised that they wouldn't put the "grade" of tumor on there -
    it's really the most important prognostic factor in mast cell tumors.
    
    It sounds like Sweetie is doing really well - congrats!  I wouldn't be
    suprised if he's having the soft stools.  The ordeal of anesthesia &
    & the stress of hospitalization (and even the antibiotics) could 
    definitely bring that on.  Plus, it's not that uncommon for animals to 
    pick up a "resident" hospital bug that could cause diarrhea.  If it
    continues, you know what to do, but I'm sure Sweetie will be ok now
    that he's home with you!
    
    Best Regards,
    liz

    Thanks, Liz.  I really couldn't believe that info was missing from
    the pathology report myself, based on what I'd heard about it's
    importance.  Dr. Walker will be back in slightly more than a week,
    and that's the first thing I plan to ask him about.  It also may be
    that when the substitute vet returns on Monday he may be able to say
    more.  (This morning I was talking to another vet in his office, since
    the substitute vet is out of town.)  As long as the lab still has the
    tissue, and and "this morning's vet" assured me the lab keeps it a long
    time, hopefully that info can be retrieved by Dr. Walker's lab or Tufts.
          
    At least the vet who did the needle biopsy of the first tumor said
    those cells were the "best" kind, so I have that info.  Still leaves me
    concerned about the other two tumors though.
    

    Sweetie used his scratching post this morning.  I know he must be
    feeling better.
    

         Thank you so much, everyone, for your love and support at this
    difficult time.  We really, really appreciate it.
    
    					- Andrea
    					  Loki & Midnight

    Andrea,
  
    My condolences on losing Bigfoot.  Sabrina is waiting to welcome him too.

    Hugs,
Laura    

    Of course it has been some time for you now.  I hope the pain isn't as
    fresh.  If it makes you feel any better, Stinky's ashes sit in a
    beautiful black marble box on the coffee table.  It has become a normal
    thing.  I mean, it isn't "different" anymore, just normal. Quite
    comfortable I must say.
    Karen