Dust for my kitty!

[chemgirl]

Thanks for the kind wishes.

She seems perfectly fine at the moment, so hopefully she has some quality time left. I went home at lunch and played fetch with her and she was running around no problems. We're going to know the extent of things tomorrow. The vet is really confused about how she could have had the infection for so long if it was really caused by the tumor. He says it should have been more invasive, so he's not really sure what's going on. Hopefully its fairly localized.

And yeah, when he said melanoma I was thinking "Wow seriously? That's like the worst thing it can be." DH is taking it better than I thought he would.

On a side note, I hate how some vets are so tentative with recommending care for a pet. His first suggestions was just waiting to see what happens in the next few months. I suggested the x-rays and then he was happy that I wanted to actually try to make an educated decision about her treatment and jumped to make other recommendations. I've noticed this with other vets as soon as something like a blood test is warranted. They get tentative and say "well, we coooould do a blood test" when really, if there is suspected kidney damage (like with one of my cats) bloodwork sounds pretty important!

 

[chemgirl]

Oh Chemgirl I am so so sorry
I am hoping it did not spread and that the vet can remove the melanoma. I put a call in to my sister (a vet) and will let you know if she has anything to add.

Sending you and your darling kitty tons of healing dust. And big hugs.

Thanks! Any information would be great. I'm planning on making a list of questions to ask the vet when I'm in tomorrow morning.

 

[Missy]

Oh Chemgirl I am so so sorry
I am hoping it did not spread and that the vet can remove the melanoma. I put a call in to my sister (a vet) and will let you know if she has anything to add.

Sending you and your darling kitty tons of healing dust. And big hugs.

Thanks! Any information would be great. I'm planning on making a list of questions to ask the vet when I'm in tomorrow morning.

Chemgirl, I just spoke with my sister and her advice is to make sure you go to a board certified surgeon and speak with him/her to see if total ear canal ablation is possible. My sister said if it did not spread this is what she would have done if it were her cat.
Sending you and kitty so much dust right now rhat it has not spread. Hugs to you both and keeping you both in my thoughts.

 

[lulu]

You are in my prayers. Hoping for a full recovery!

 

[chemgirl]

Oh Chemgirl I am so so sorry
I am hoping it did not spread and that the vet can remove the melanoma. I put a call in to my sister (a vet) and will let you know if she has anything to add.

Sending you and your darling kitty tons of healing dust. And big hugs.

Thanks! Any information would be great. I'm planning on making a list of questions to ask the vet when I'm in tomorrow morning.

Chemgirl, I just spoke with my sister and her advice is to make sure you go to a board certified surgeon and speak with him/her to see if total ear canal ablation is possible. My sister said if it did not spread this is what she would have done if it were her cat.
Sending you and kitty so much dust right now rhat it has not spread. Hugs to you both and keeping you both in my thoughts.

Thanks for the information. I'm looking in to different vets in my area to see what's available. I'll ask my current vet about doing a total ear canal ablation if the x-rays don't show any spread. I do realize that x-rays don't show everything and we'll probably need more testing before we know anything for sure.

At the moment I'm encouraged that she's gained weight and is running around like there's nothing wrong. I did notice my boy cat licking her ear a lot recently so maybe he can smell that there is something going on. Her eye infection is freaking me out because its not responding well to meds this time. She's squinting a lot and her eye is really oozy. I'm worried that its that way because the cancer has spread. The bacteria culture did come back positive though so I'm probably being paranoid.

I found myself googling in-home euthanasia tonight. Just something I hate thinking about.

 

[Missy]

My sister really emphasized the board certified surgeon part so I hope you can find someone in your area. An oncology surgeon will have the most experience and the best chance for a successful outcome. It could be that the vet you are seeing while very good is not experienced enough with melanoma of the ear canal and that is why he seems reticent to take action. My feeling is (as it was with my own dh when he was diagnosed with melanoma) to find the best possible specialist and as soon as possible as time matters. My sister was very definite in you finding a board certified surgeon in your area. Where are you located btw? Maybe my sister can recommend someone.

We home euthanized my darling cat Butch in 2001 and while it was so terribly sad it was the most humane thing we could have done. He fought the brave fight for a long while and was doing well until he wasn't and we knew it was time. My sister injected him at home with him in my arms. It was heartbreaking but it was the right thing to do. I miss him so much.

Hang in there Chemgirl. All our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.

 

[chemgirl]

My sister really emphasized the board certified surgeon part so I hope you can find someone in your area. An oncology surgeon will have the most experience and the best chance for a successful outcome. It could be that the vet you are seeing while very good is not experienced enough with melanoma of the ear canal and that is why he seems reticent to take action. My feeling is (as it was with my own dh when he was diagnosed with melanoma) to find the best possible specialist and as soon as possible as time matters. My sister was very definite in you finding a board certified surgeon in your area. Where are you located btw? Maybe my sister can recommend someone.

We home euthanized my darling cat Butch in 2001 and while it was so terribly sad it was the most humane thing we could have done. He fought the brave fight for a long while and was doing well until he wasn't and we knew it was time. My sister injected him at home with him in my arms. It was heartbreaking but it was the right thing to do. I miss him so much.

Hang in there Chemgirl. All our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.

I'm in the Kitchener/Waterloo area of Ontario. I think most of the vets here were educated at the same University (there is only one in province and its close). I agree that my vet might not be comfortable with the surgery and that may be why he's hesitant about recommending it. I did find a few other vet offices that sound like they do more surgery so will call them tomorrow. I haven't been able to find an oncology specialist online, but I'm hoping my vet can recommend someone when I talk to him tomorrow.

ETA: One is AAHA accredited, but I don't know if that's an accomplishment, or just something they payed to be a part of.

 

[Missy]

My sister doesn't know anyone in Ontario but she said if they are board certified they will be good. She also said AAHA is an accomplishment though they do have to pay to be part of it. So basically if you can find a board certified surgeon you will be in business. Fingers crossed the cancer did not spread.

 

[JewelFreak]

Call the University & see what they offer there. Often the best care is available at a vet school.

Dust & hugs & all sorts of best & wonderful wishes for you & your honey-kitty!!

--- Laurie

 

[chemgirl]

Looks like the closest oncologist is the University of Guelph and I will need a referral from my regular vet. I think the current plan is to see if its spread using our local vet. If there is no evidence of tumor growth, then we'll get a referral to the oncology center in Guelph for a CT and if all is well surgery. If the wait is long then we'll look in to local options.

Deep down I have this feeling that its spread to her eye socket. There is a bacterial infection, but she's been squinting in that one eye for over a week. I've been giving her eye cream for 5 days with no change. If it has spread then we'll probably just do pain medication, work on keeping infections under control, and watch for quality of life.

 

[Okie_girl]

Chemgirl, I'm sending tons of dust you and your kitty's way. I'm so sorry that the diagnosis wasn't good. I hope you get your questions answered when you see the vet. I also am hoping and praying that the cancer hasn't spread, and that you will have some options for treatment. I'm sure it's hard to not panic right now.

It's so hard to know where the line is of prolonging their lives for them, or for us. Praying that you'll have a lot more time with your girl!

 

[chemgirl]

Another update...

Good news! The x-rays are clear. The vet did caution us that x-rays don't show everything, but he is encouraged. As soon as I mentioned the university veterinary oncology center he perked up and offered to refer us and call them since its his old school. He said he'd put in referrals to a few places in Toronto as well and see who can get us in the fastest. Now he's all for the surgery. He admitted that he was originally concerned that we would have an unqualified vet attempt it and that's why he wasn't recommending it. He says if further testing doesn't show tumor spread, Lanes should adjust well after the surgery and the only downside would be cosmetic. We don't care about cosmetics so we're good to go.

ETA: Thanks Missy for all of your help! Please relay my thanks to your sister!

 

[Okie_girl]

That's great news, Chemgirl! I know you are very relieved to hear that the x-rays look good, and especially relieved that the vet thinks surgery is a good option. I'm sure the surgery part won't be fun, but you can move forward with hope now. Still sending dust to you and your baby!

 

[QueenB29]

That's a huge relief! I hope they can get your baby into a specialist soon.

 

[Missy]

That is great news!!! So happy for you and kitty!!!!
Sending more healing dust your way!!

 

[chemgirl]

Ok, the dust has been working thus far!

Can I trouble you ladies for a little more? DH is taking our kitty for her first oncologist appointment on Wednesday. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I gather that they will do another biopsy to confirm results and then do an ultrasound. That's a big day for my poor little darling!

I'm a little nervous about the cost of seeing the oncologist. I have no idea what this type of diagnostics/surgery/aftercare will cost. Our insurance will cover up to $7000 annually per medical condition (the insurance company has payed out for diagnosing and treating one of my other cats at our local vet so I think they will come through now). We are prepared to pay out of pocket for the remainder, but there is a limit where the cost will be prohibitive. I'm really not sure what to expect on Wednesday! Scared!

 

[stargurl78]

Sending more dust for your kitty (and your bank account)!

 

[Missy]

Chemgirl, I am also sending more dust to you and kitty. I don't know how much this all will cost but you are fortunate to have insurance. Keeping my fingers crossed that treatment will be successful and affordable also!

 

[Aoife]

Sending dust your way...

 

[lulu]

Lots of dust and so happy to hear you have insurance!

 

[LAJennifer]

Much *dust* for your kitty. Lots of positive thoughts, too. You are lucky to have such great insurance - I'm sure everything will work in your favor.

Question - what did the cancer look like? Did you see it? My Seth has had a waxy ear for the last 4 years as well. We've used Otomax, and Zymox. They both work for the short term, but it always comes back (it doesn't have a foul odor, though). He also has a bit of a runny eye (same side as ear) for the last year that was attributed to allergies (which he does have) that is exacerbated by the fact his eyelid never split completely - so you can see some of his top and side lid. After reading your story, I want to get down in his ear and look around. I did have a quick look just now - and it looks like his tragus is a little swollen (maybe from scratching - or it is a cyst?)

 

[chemgirl]

Much *dust* for your kitty. Lots of positive thoughts, too. You are lucky to have such great insurance - I'm sure everything will work in your favor.

Question - what did the cancer look like? Did you see it? My Seth has had a waxy ear for the last 4 years as well. We've used Otomax, and Zymox. They both work for the short term, but it always comes back (it doesn't have a foul odor, though). He also has a bit of a runny eye (same side as ear) for the last year that was attributed to allergies (which he does have) that is exacerbated by the fact his eyelid never split completely - so you can see some of his top and side lid. After reading your story, I want to get down in his ear and look around. I did have a quick look just now - and it looks like his tragus is a little swollen (maybe from scratching - or it is a cyst?)

Thank you for the dust!

I did see the growth, but I'm having a hard time thinking of how to describe it. Its very deep in the ear canal and we needed to use a magnifier to see it. Its this raised area and part of it creates a flap that is trapping ear wax and causing the infection. It was bleeding a bit when I saw it so I'm not entirely sure of the color. It looked like a combination of her skin color and black, but the black could have been dried blood. The vet wasn't even sure what it was when he saw it, he just knew that it shouldn't be there!

ETA: Our vet did say that recurring ear infections are fairly rare in cats and they usually have an underlying cause. He said they could be a caused by a cyst, polyp, allergies, ear mites etc. If they keep on coming back, you should have your vet look in to it further to make sure its nothing serious.

 

[QueenB29]

Lots more dust for your kitty.

 

[chemgirl]

Update: Lanes is staying at the hospital tonight so she'll be ready for her CT in the morning. She had bloodwork and an abdominal ultrasound today and so far so good.

I am so glad we have insurance. The diagnostics and the surgery will be a minimum of $4800 and can go up to $6000 if there are complications. That would have hurt!

 

[Okie_girl]

Hope everything goes really well for your baby girl tomorrow, Chemgirl. I am sending tons of dust her (and your) way, as are Mister, Sister, Rocky, Little Man, De'Baby, Annie and Amelia (they say "we felines have to stick together").

 

[Missy]

Update: Lanes is staying at the hospital tonight so she'll be ready for her CT in the morning. She had bloodwork and an abdominal ultrasound today and so far so good.

I am so glad we have insurance. The diagnostics and the surgery will be a minimum of $4800 and can go up to $6000 if there are complications. That would have hurt!

Thank goodness you have insurance! Good luck from everyone in my crew as well to you and your family!!! Tons of ****dust****!!!!!!