Parzley having major surgery tomorrow :(

[parzy]

Hi, I'm new. A wonderful lady recommended this site to me. My kitty, Parzley, had a fibrosarcoma on her hip from a vaccine. I had it removed last October but it came back. Tests indicate that it hasn't spread, but she is having her leg amputated tomorrow. Because it is so high up they are having to disarticulate at her hip.

She doesn't seem to be feeling well today, I don't know if it is the medicine or just the biopsy she just had.

She is only 8

She goes in early in the morning, and I just want it to be over and for her to be home. I just need good thoughts for the surgery and her recovery. I plan on doing chemo soon just in case there was spreading of the cancer that the tests didn't pick up. I think it will be a long road before I feel better, and of course even a tougher road for her.

Please keep her in your thoughts.

[Marty]

I want to extend a welcome to you, even though it is a difficult situation that brought you here. You and Parzy have my prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. Please keep us updated as to her progress...

[parzy]

Thank you. My heart goes out to everyone here. I appreciate your thoughts.

[Traci]

Keeping Parzley in my thoughts and prayers.

Your vet should probably send a new biopsy sample (taken during surgery) to a pathologist.....This would allow her to get a larger sample so that nothing is missed.

You may not need to persue chemotherapy, talk to the vet about this, since she really should refer to a pathologist (and get an accurate pathology report from a new biopsy), then a board-certified feline oncologist.

While the amputation from the hip will be a bit difficult, your kitty should be able to do very well without the limb. Recovery will be crucial however, so make sure you discuss ALL aftercare instructions thoroughly with your vet, get a specific care sheet from her before you leave the clinic with Parzley, and schedule a followup exam accordingly. Also discuss pain medication during the first few/several days post-op. These need to be prescribed very carefully by your vet, and given equally as carefully by you at home. (usually small doses, for only a few days). You will be instructed to watch the incision site carefully for any signs of infection, etc, in which you'd need to get Parzley evaluated by your vet immediately.

For future reference, no vaccine should be given in the hip area, they are to be given distally on the leg as far downward as possible. If you have other cats, please be sure to only have a qualifed vet who is using proper vaccine protocols, to vaccinate your cats. ( Feline Vaccinations -- this page includes links to further information as well)

[parzy]

Thank you so much for the information and especially the thoughts.

I'm stocking up on food and supplies today while she's in the hospital and I'm fortunate to be able to work at home so I will not be leaving her for a second once she gets home.

I had always gotten the impression from vets before that fibrosarcomas from vaccines were very, very rare. I hope that the awareness of giving vaccines as low as possible is spreading. I am concerned that many vets do not take the vaccine related fibrosarcomas seriously

[Traci]

Vaccine-Associated-Sarcomas are indeed very rare, but also taken into consideration is the type of vaccine (adjuvant), and location on the body where it was given. It is currently thought that vaccines may not be the only culprit, but any injection that causes a subcutaneous reaction could be cultprit for a sarcoma like this.

There has been much research and reporting of these incidents, and the majority of vets are clearly aware of it. However, yes, some vets still do give vaccinations inappropriately, they either are not following standards for some reason or another, or are not keeping up-to-date on the literature.

Ask your vet about the type of food for Parzley, since there is always a risk for temporary constipation directly after surgery. Some cats may not eat sufficiently for a couple days post-op, which may cause constipation. Canned food and water intake during recovery is best. Your vet may also suggest giving Laxatone once daily to help aid in bowel movements.

Also be mindful of pain and inability to use a litterbox for a few days (or longer). So, use a flat soda box (lined and with only a small amount of litter or paper towels) or similar so that she does not have to step inside a tall litterbox. If she's immobile due to pain, try using puppy piddle pads underneath her and change them frequently. Watch for urine on fur and skin and keep her clean. (you can simply use cotton balls or gauze pads dipped in a diluted solution of rubbing alcohol and water to gently pat the urine off the skin or fur, but ask your vet first!!)

Again, your vet should give you a detailed aftercare instruction sheet, but if she doesn't, ask for one! Also make sure she makes an appointment for a followup recheck and suture/staple removal.